When Is the Perfect Time to Remove a Tree in Your Yard

Trees have many benefits in your yard. Aside from adding aesthetics to your landscaping, they also have long life spans that can become a permanent fixture in your yard. Trees can look perfectly safe and fine to most people, but for the trained eyes, they can pose a serious threat to you, your family, and your home, especially if they are infested or diseased.

A falling tree is one of the common causes of your house and property damage. Dying, dead, or hazardous trees can even cost you thousands of dollars, excluding the medical bills you may have if they fall on someone.

You are the tree owner, so it is your responsibility to take care of it and know when you will cut it down. To help you do that, here are some of the things you may consider as red flags, letting you know the dangers and taking appropriate action in cutting your tree.

Recognizing Unwanted Characteristics

When looking for a tree, you should also consider whether they suit your yard landscape, not only because it looks appealing. There are plenty of beautiful trees, but it doesn’t always work when you plant them. These trees are what we call “undesirable species.” Below are the things to look out for when searching for “unwanted characteristics.”

●     Strong and deep roots that can damage your foundations

●     Weak wood that is prone to rotting and breaking

●     Invasive species that keep other trees or plants from thriving

●     Soft and shallow root system that makes the trees vulnerable to toppling

●     Attracts tree-specific pests and diseases

Symptoms of Infestation and Infection

There are various signs and symptoms that your trees may be infested with pests or infected with a disease.

The change in your tree’s appearance may signify that it is infected by a disease or infested by pests. Dead and discolored leaves could also be evident signs your tree is in bad condition. If you see these signs, then your tree may be affected by insect infestation or diseases. Other symptoms include:

●     Misshapen, missing, or discolored leaves may indicate that your tree is unhealthy. It could be due to insects boring into its trunk or an internal disease that inhibits the proper transport of water and nutrients.

●     You may attribute soft or crumbly bark to the presence of diseases and pests. You can look out for frass or sawdust in your tree as some insects may leave visible traces of chewing. Cracks, wounds, or seams may indicate internal decay.

●     Fungal growth could be another sign your tree is sick. Pay attention to any fungi developing in the trunk to its branches. If you see dead or rotting matter, that is a clear sign that your tree suffers from a fungal disease. Don’t wait for the whole tree to be infected. You should call a tree expert or an arborist to check your tree before it’s too late.

Presence of Root Damage

If your tree has large roots, it can ultimately damage the foundation of your home and even your walls without even knowing it. When you notice that your tree’s roots are encroaching on your house or property, that is a clear sign that you need to cut it down.

Not only do the large roots affect the walls, floors, and foundations, but they may also damage the sewer lines, causing leaks and flooding inside and outside your home. The best way is to remove the tree to stop its roots from growing and further damaging your property.

Having a Compromised or Hollow Trunk

When the trunk of your tree is damaged, its vital parts like the phloem and xylem are also affected. Your tree may fall anytime, and that can be dangerous to everyone inhibiting your home. To identify the signs that your tree trunk is hollow, here are the things you should look out for:

●     Tree leaning unusually

●     Dead branches

●     Under power lines

●     Changes in the appearance of leaves and bark

Conclusion

You shouldn’t wait for your tree to cause severe damage to your property before you make a move to cut it down. If you have already seen the signs and symptoms that it may be infested or infected, call for immediate help from a tree expert or arborist to decide what to do.

Astros Tree Service offers tree removal services in Cleveland for removing infested or infected trees from your property. We assist you and your family to be safe while also considering the aesthetics of removing the tree. Contact us today to get started!