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Working Hours Mon-sun : 8am - 6pm
Talk to an Expert 504-688-3374
Tree removal is only considered necessary when threats to safety, health, or property are present or likely to occur. Key warning signs are large dead branches, extensive trunk damage, or trees that are leaning and creating a hazard.
Fungal growth at the base, hollow sections, or root involvement can all be signs of a structurally unstable tree. Trees that are too close to buildings or competing with utilities may cause harm to infrastructure.
Responding to these warning signs quickly with A Perfect Cut Tree can ensure safety for all and save the tree from expensive harm to nearby structures and property.
Tree removal is always a last option. Tree removal may be unavoidable in certain circumstances to protect individuals, assets, and the health of your landscape as a whole. Trees make our communities better with grace, shade, and essential ecological services. Some clear warning signs indicate it’s time to remove a tree.
A tree that is leaning over 15 degrees will be in danger of falling during storms. Such lean usually results from problems in the roots or trunk. Also, dead limbs and thinning canopies signal problems. When dead limbs die, they will become weak and drop.
The tree may become decadent and weak due to pests like the emerald ash borer. Bark holes, sawdust, and dead leaves are associated with the infestation. A weak tree is dangerous and will transfer the pests to other healthy trees.
Trees that grow too close to buildings can cause expensive damages, ranging from cracked foundations, lifted sidewalks, and broken utilities. Storm-sheared branches present further grounds for safety hazards to the building and its inhabitants.
Watch out for signs of root rot such as rotting branches, drooping leaves, or thin crowns, which show instability. If you observe these signs in a tree near a building, you should leave it to a professional to avoid causing more damage.
Sick or infested trees may cause damage to the health of other plants in your garden. Cankered or sunken wood trees most likely have fungal infections. Eradicating invasive plants such as Bradford pear or Chinaberry trees contributes to the development of healthier ecosystems.
Many signs will tell you that a tree must be removed. The following are the most important warning signs. These are real-life examples and illustrations.
Dead branches are visible; they’re dry, brittle, and without leaves. When a tree loses leaves, particularly at the crown, it indicates stress, and a maple with sparse leaves will probably be suffering from the disease. Big, dead branches can point to root injury, and they can drop off suddenly, with serious risks to humans, animals, and automobiles.
Large cracks or splits in the trunk compromise the tree’s structural integrity. These can form from storm damage, disease, or natural growth stress.
This large oak tree with a huge split at its base is in danger of falling. In high winds, this tree would be a risk of being toppled. Large cracks may expose the tree to pests and disease, putting the tree’s stability at even more risk.
A tree that has started to lean noticeably—especially if the lean seems to have developed recently—is a sign of possible root or structural failure.
Severe weather, as recently seen in states such as NC with a tornado outbreak in the Raleigh/Durham region, can frequently make trees lean, making them more likely to fall. A heavy or otherwise unstable tree leaning toward a house or driveway is especially a cause for concern.
When fungi like mushrooms appear at the base of your tree, it indicates serious decay below the surface. Root rot is usually out of sight, but mushrooms growing within 10-15 feet of the trunk carry a definitive warning sign. Fungal growth on the bark, such as conks, can indicate that the trunk is decaying from the inside out.
Galleries or grooves in the bark are symptoms of borer insect infestation, such as emerald ash borer damage. Borer insects cause the tree to be hollow from the inside out, and in most cases, this results in the dieback of branches and structural loss.
Warranty indeed, the root is the most critical part of a tree. Damage due to construction, erosion of the soil, and disease in a tree can all cause bare spots near the roots of plants.
When trees grow near utility lines or other objects, the potential for hazard is greater. For example, if the branches touch electricity lines, they can cause power loss and fires.
Similarly, a tree whose branches are touching a roof can be vulnerable to damage to property during storms. Regular assessments can prevent these issues from escalating.
Checking the health of a tree is a critical factor in determining whether removal is required. Trees will exhibit subtle or overt indicators of decay, and recognizing these signs will provide safety and long-term integrity to your property. Every assessment looks at major areas, from overall health to possible hazards.
Start by examining the tree closely. Healthy trees will have heavy, green leaves, while stressed trees will have thinning or yellowing leaves. Yellow or thinning leaves in the growing season show stress, and the tree is likely to be dead or sick.
Dieback, where the branches wilt from the branch tip towards the branch center, shows severe issues, usually as a result of disease or injury. Sagging or wilting leaves are also a sign of vascular system issues in the tree, which may hinder the flow of nutrients.
Structural integrity is critical for a tree’s stability. Trees with large cracks and splits or leaning trees should be inspected in more detail. A lean of more than 15 degrees is a sign that roots have probably failed or soil has washed away, especially after extreme weather conditions.
Exposed roots or damaged roots weaken the tree’s foundation and predispose the tree to fail. Dead limbs—usually referred to as “widowmakers”—are a hazard because they may drop randomly.
Rot and disease sometimes show themselves in cracks on the bark and trunk. Cankers, dead areas of bark brought on by bacterial or fungal infection, reduce the resistance of the tree. When you see mushrooms or fungus on the ground, that usually indicates root rot.
These factors greatly weaken the tree and should make removal a serious option.
Finally, consider the environment around the tree. Trees near structures, transmission lines, or places where individuals or vehicles typically gather in large numbers are a hazard risk, particularly when trees are stressed. Dead branches or weakened structural integrity can cause damage or harm if the branches were to drop.
Healthy trees improve any landscape. Being able to determine when a tree must be removed is important, as dead limbs, leaning trees, or decay can pose safety risks. Be on the lookout for these indicators to prevent damage and ensure the landscape is safe.
While tree removal may be challenging, it saves your property and encourages healthier growth. A professional arborist can make it safe and effective. If you think a tree is in need, call us today for an assessment.
