Good Reasons to Remove a Tree

Trees bring so much beauty and life to the landscape. You may even have fond memories of a tree in your yard. No one ever wants to say goodbye to their tall beauties, but at some point, that time does come. While the tree may seem healthy and safe to the untrained eye, it could be a colossal disaster waiting to happen. When no other measures can be taken to save a tree, such as disease mitigation and pruning, you should ask the question “does the tree need to be removed?”. 9 times out of 10, unfortunately the answer will be to take the tree down. This blog explores mainly illnesses and defects that warrant removal, but will also discuss reasons such as hazard to surrounding structures, and powerlines.

Reasons to Remove a Tree

1. Large, dead branches in the tree's crown

Dead branches here and there are part of a tree’s natural growth cycle. Small debris from a tree is not often cause for concern. However, large, dead branches near the crown of a dying tree are especially dangerous, as these can fall hard and suddenly. Depending on your budget and the tree's assessed risk, you may be able to get away with deadwooding your tree. Otherwise, it would be beneficial to have the tree removed to protect your family and property.

2. Evidence of root defects

Root and butt rot -- these are wood-decay diseases often caused by fungi. Fungi may be exposed only when trees suffer uprooting or stem failure during strong winds. Your tree may also experience these symptoms if root or butt rot is occurring:

• Progressive canopy dieback
• Stunted shoots
• Undersized leaves
• Pale-colored foliage
• Open cavities at the base of the tree
• Seams or cracks with sap/resin flow
• Extensive flaring at the base of the trunk

Root defects such as fungi-induced rot are nearly impossible to treat with chemicals. It is only a matter of time before the tree comes crashing down on nearby property. The best course of action is to have the tree assessed by a professional to determine if tree removal is right for you.

3. Compromised, hollow, or decaying trunk wood

Compromised trunk wood may look like:

• Cracked, gouged, split, or missing bark
• Holes in the bark or trunk wood
• Hollowed trunk
• Cankers or other evidence of mechanical or insect damage
• Decay

There are many reasons why a tree’s trunk may become compromised. Several of these can be treated by an arborist or disease remediation specialist if the damage has not impacted the structural integrity of the tree:

• Trees can be severely damaged in high winds, often leading to broken branches and cracked or split trunks
• Animals can cause serious damage to trees by chewing on bark and gnawing away at the wood.  
• Many diseases can affect a tree’s trunk, causing lesions, cracks, or rot. 
• Wood-boring insects such as termites or carpenter ants can seriously damage a tree’s trunk over time.
  

4. Sudden, extreme lean

A leaning tree is not always an indicator of removal. Trees will often be found leaning due to phototropism, or growing towards the light. This is a normal pattern of growth and not cause for concern. However, if you have a mature tree that has developed a lean in recent years, you may want to get it assessed for structural deficiencies. A sudden or extreme lean can be caused by:

• Damaged roots
• Soil erosion leading to instability
• Wind or storm damage

An experienced tree care professional will be able to tell you whether the lean in your tree is hazardous or not.

7. Tree is growing under power lines

Trees and powerlines are a notoriously terrible mix. Trees taller than power lines or trees that are too close to the lines can be blown over in high winds, pulling the line down from supporting towers or poles. Often, utility companies will prune or remove these trees free of charge if they pose a serious risk to the powerlines. However, there is a major wait time in getting these companies out to the property to inspect the trees, plus another major wait time to get the crew out to do the work. If you are willing to wait, great! If not, give us a call and we will take care of the process for you.

Remember: Dead or dying trees do not always need to be removed.

If the tree is in a wooded area or separated from structures, you may want to let nature take it's course. These trees provide much needed shelter for animals in the wild. Many wild birds will use snags for feeding and nest building. Cavities and slits provide roosting spots for flying squirrels, bats, owls, and woodpeckers.

As a tree decays, the nutrients from the leaves and wood break down to enrich surrounding soil which benefits plant life and subsequently animal life. Several forms of fungi and lichen also grow on dead trees, which in turn supply nesting material and a good food source for wild birds and other wildlife creatures.

Dead trees in winter will trap snow, as it melts the soil absorbs it and nearby plants will benefit from the moisturized soil.

References:

Should you cut down that tree? 10 ways to tell | Angi (angi.com)

Garden Inspiration Using Dead Trees & Branches - Harmony in the Garden

Dead Trees Or Snags Support A Plethora Of Wildlife - Wild Bird Scoop

How to Identify the Common Signs of Tree Illness and Act Fast (greenthumb-ottawa.com)

How to Repair a Damaged Tree Trunk - Tree Musketeers

Root Diseases of Trees | Forest Pathology

Five Reasons Why You Should Leave a Dying or Dead Tree (elitetreecare.com)