When I first bought a new house, I realized that the front trees were a little overgrown. I was worried about a branch breaking in the wind and smashing into a window or the roof, and so I decided to invest in professional tree service. When the arborist came, he had more concerns than just a few overgrown branches. Apparently, a few of my trees had also developed serious pest infestations, and I was worried about what it might mean for their health. He carefully trimmed each tree to ward off disease, and within a few weeks, they were looking a lot better. This blog explains how a professional tree trimmer could help you, so that you aren't left with dying trees.
Keeping Your Trees Healthy
3 Questions To Ask To Decide Whether A Tree Needs To Be Removed
Joshua Mercier
Trees make a wonderful addition to just about any residential or commercial property. Unfortunately, when trees become infected with a disease or are poorly maintained, they can quickly become an eyesore as well as a hazard. For that reason, tree removal is sometimes needed. To determine whether tree removal is even something that you need to think about, ask yourself these three questions:
1. Is the Tree in Good Health?
The first thing you need to do is inspect the tree to determine its current state of health. The easiest way to do this is with a visual assessment of the tree. As a general rule, you will be able to tell by the leaves and branches whether or not the tree is sick or healthy. Inspect specifically for signs of infection, which includes browning of the leaves. See if there are any weak or dead branches by bending them. Living branches tend to bend, while dead branches will easily snap. If necessary, scrape the branch to see if it is green underneath. If it isn't, then there may be a problem. Also, check to see if there are any mushrooms beginning to grow around the bottom of the tree, as this can be a sign of infection.
2. Are Insects Taking Over the Tree?
If you are not a professional arborist, you may not realize that insects are drawn to certain species of trees. Many times, these insects carry certain diseases with them. For example, the Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB) is a beetle that primarily attacks maple trees, although they can attack other trees, such as poplars, elms and willows. These beetles will lay eggs inside of the tree, the eggs will then produce larvae, and the larvae will then feed on the tree's tissue. Over time, this causes the tree to starve to death. Unfortunately, at this time, there is no treatment or cure for an infestation of ALB and the removal of the tree is necessary.
If any type of insect appears to be taking over your tree, it is crucial that you speak to a tree professional to schedule an expert assessment of your tree's condition. In some cases, the insects can be taken care of and the health of the tree can be restored. However, in the case of ALB, tree removal is a must.
3. Do You See Any Signs of Structural Damage to the Tree?
Just like residential and commercial properties, trees that sustain serious damage can cause the structural integrity of the tree to be thrown off balance. This doesn't necessarily have to be the result of an insect infestation, as it could be from natural storms that cause damage. The tree trunk is the single most important part of any tree as it is its foundation and vessel for water and nutrients. If you notice any signs of substantial damage, such as cracks, holes or splits, it may be necessary to have the tree removed before it ends up falling on its own and causing damage to your landscape or your home.
It isn't always easy to determine whether your tree needs to be removed or not. This is especially true if you are not a professional. So, if you are not sure whether your tree has suffered damage severe enough that requires tree removal, contact a professional tree service in your local area for assistance. To learn more, contact a company like Johnson's Tree Service & Stump Grinding.
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