Trees are a great addition to any yard. They provide shade, cool air, and food that can help spice up life around the house. However, it’s not all perks; having a tree also comes with plenty of responsibility, especially when they get old or damaged. Trees can become dangerous and it can be difficult to evaluate a tree from the outside.
Be on the lookout for signs that manifest when a tree is a danger to the surrounding area. Keep a close eye out for these signs your tree is a safety hazard to let you know when it needs help.
- Hanging, broken limbs
Broken limbs are one of the more visible tree hazards. They have a high chance of falling and damaging anything underneath them. Keep an eye out for limbs that have snapped, are hanging low, or are pointing downward.
Severe storms are a major cause of broken limbs, so be extra vigilant afterward. Quality storm damage control plays a major role in stabilizing limbs and making your tree safe again. Take note that limb damage isn’t always obvious to the naked eye. To be certain, contact an arborist for tree hazard assessment on which limbs are at risk. They also provide tree pruning to remove those limbs safely and cleanly.
- Dead limbs
Hanging limbs aren’t the only way damaged branches can constitute a tree hazard. The tree may have dead limbs that are difficult to spot if you don’t know what to look for. Deadwood becomes brittle, increasing the risk of falling, particularly when it rains. Keep an eye out for branches that lack leaves (especially during spring or summer).
Trees with multiple dead limbs may also indicate disease or insect infestation. As dead wood decays, the decay may also spread to healthy areas and affect the health of the whole tree. Contact an arborist immediately to address the problem.
- Cracks in the trunk
The bark is to a tree what skin is to humans. It’s their first line of defence against infection or infestation; a break in the bark exposes the internal wood to decay like a wound. Cracks can often be caused by temperature fluctuations, cold snaps being a common issue in Canada, or improperly healed wounds. In case of major stress like a storm, the crack represents a weakness where the tree can break.
Pay particular attention to deep or extended cracks; they usually indicate severe internal damage. Cracks sometimes blend into the bark, making them hard to spot. Contact professional tree services to get their expertise locating and diagnosing the damage.
- Irregular crown shape
In a forest, competition with their neighbours typically forces trees to grow tall rather than wide. However, in a yard, trees have more space to grow sideways, allowing them to develop their crowns. This growth generally results in trees with an abundance of large lower branches and limbs.
Having too many branches upsets a tree’s balance, leaving it too unstable to support itself. If there is internal damage, the uneven weight can further destabilize the tree as well. Corrective tree pruning services can help remove those excess limbs and restabilize the tree. Contact a professional arborist to diagnose your tree and find a solution to the problem.
- Significant leaning
Not all trees grow up perfectly straight. Some trees develop a slight lean as a response to light availability or wind. These trees are safe, as they grow in a way that offsets the lean and keeps them stable. However, a lean can also indicate a structural issue; pay attention to your tree to see if it’s developed a lean recently, or if a preexisting lean has shifted.
A good rule of thumb is if the lean appears to exceed 15° from vertical. Keep an eye out for other signs that the tree has shifted, like cracked soil and exposed roots to help confirm the problem.
- Tree cavities
Cavities aren’t always indicative of significant decay, but it pays to make sure. Trees can develop holes and cavities for several reasons, including injuries, stress, and over-mulching.
Severe cavities can dramatically affect the structure of the tree, making it more likely to snap in a storm or high winds. However, many trees can survive for years after developing large cavities. These trees can often grow new wood around the hollow to and regain their stability. Contact a professional arborist to inspect the tree. There is no cure for a cavity, but an arborist can advise you on whether it’d be safer to remove the tree.
- Root damage
Healthy roots are integral to a tree’s health and stability. Roots anchor a tree; without a strong root system, a tree can become unbalanced. Root damage can destabilize a tree enough that it can fall over in a storm, or from the weight of its own trunk and branches.
Root defects are often difficult to spot. Many trees with damaged roots appear normal above ground. Some symptoms that can point to root problems include thin foliage, undersized leaves, and stalled growth. These signs can indicate the tree isn’t getting enough nutrients via the roots. However, to be absolutely sure of the problem, contact the professionals to diagnose the problem accurately.
- Poor structure
In a healthy tree, branches are typically attached to the trunk in u-shaped junctions. Wide angles of attachment make the tree more stable and resistant to damage. However, some trees grow branches too closely, resulting in v-shaped junctions. Large branches with v-shaped forks are more prone to failure, especially when they form part of the main trunk.
As damage occurs, the tree can also attract disease and pests, compounding the risk of decay and making the branch more hazardous. Keep an eye out for signs of bark splitting at a branch juncture; those cracks usually indicate stress.
- Fungi growth
One easy way to tell if a tree has started decaying is mushroom growth. Mushrooms growing at the tree’s base is a common sign of root decay, which can help warn you if there’s a problem occurring below ground.
Note that not all fungi are parasitic; some mushrooms can coexist peacefully with and even benefit trees. However, many mushrooms digest a tree’s cells, compromising its structural integrity. To find out what kind of fungi your tree has, contact a licensed arborist to identify the species. Quick action is key to preserving your tree’s health and protecting it from further damage.
Regular inspections are part and parcel of proper tree care. Whether it’s checking for signs of pest infestation or tree failure, it’s vital you keep an eye on your tree to gauge its health. Preventive care like corrective pruning plays a major role in keeping your tree healthy. Following proper pruning practices is a great way to remove decaying branches and keep the tree balanced and stable. It also helps reduce the tree’s size and keep it out of range of anything important. Take steps immediately when you recognize any tree risks to keep your trees fresh for years to come.
At Dave Lund Tree Service, we specialize in providing quality care for your trees. Healthy trees provide plenty of benefits, and it’s in your best interests that they stay healthy. Call us now at 1-800-363-0511 (toll-free) for reliable and effective tree care service.