Trees add beauty and value to your property, but like every other living thing, they’re subject to disease, injury, and eventual death. It’s crucial for you as a property owner to notice the early signs of problems. A large, old tree that’s failing can be extraordinarily dangerous as parts or all of it threaten to fall and damage your property, your neighbor’s property or worse, a living being. These properties and people are known as targets in the arborist community. Here are some signs to watch for.
Look for Dead Branches
One of the first signs that all isn’t well with your tree is dead branches at the top of the crown. These branches can be very heavy even when they’re dead. They can snap off at any moment and crash down anywhere.
A Bad Pruning Job
One of the reasons that it’s important to prune and trim a tree properly is to preserve its health. Even proper pruning often injures the tree, so it must be done in a way that also helps it to heal. A tree limb that’s simply crushed invites pathogens and disease. A tree that’s shaped asymmetrically is more prone to sun damage, stress from too much weight put on one part of the tree, weak branches, and suckering. The tree can drop its sick or dead branches without warning.
Leaning Trunk
A tree that leans at a more than 15-degree angle is problematic. They’re at risk for toppling over, and they may fall onto a home, possession, or even a person.
Problems With the Trunk
Another early sign that the tree is becoming dangerous is problems with the trunk. You should check for cracks, cavities, and areas of rot. Contact an arborist right away if you see vertical cracks on opposite sides of the tree. This means that something is wrong with the roots. Such an issue can cause the tree to drop branches, create a trip and fall hazard, and eventually fall over.
Mushrooms at the Base of the Tree
Mushrooms right at the base of the tree also mean there might be something wrong with the root system. The roots may have already decayed, which is quite dangerous.
Trees With More Than One Trunk
While you might find a species of tree that has more than one trunk, a rule of thumb is that a tree should only have one. Sometimes one trunk is weaker than the other and can break off.
Get in Touch With Us if You’re Worried About Your Trees
If you notice problems with your trees that might make them dangerous in the future, get in touch with us right away. For tree removal and other services, call our professional arborists of Turbo Tree Care in Sterling Heights, Michigan.
