How to Recognize the Signs of a Hazard Tree and When to Book Hazardous Tree Removal
Trees are a beautiful and essential part of our environment, providing shade, oxygen, and aesthetic appeal. However, when a tree becomes a potential hazard, it’s crucial to take proactive measures before it can cause property damage or injury.
Winter just so happens to be the time when trees show their true colors in terms of strength and resilience. The cold temperatures and snow and ice put trees under duress until limbs eventually break and fall.
Keep reading to discover the signs that indicate you have a hazardous tree on your property and learn how you can proactively deal with them.
Common Signs of a Hazardous Tree
A hazard tree is a tree that is a danger to people and property due to its unstable or unhealthy condition. The following signs indicate you may have a hazardous tree that requires removal or help from Eisenhower Tree Care.
Leaning: A leaning tree indicates root damage or instability in the soil, making it prone to falling. Leaning trees can be caused by improper planting, an imbalanced crown, severe winds, or other issues.
Cracks and splits: Visible cracks or splits in the trunk or branches weaken the tree’s structure, which can lead to entire branches breaking away from the trunk.
Dead or dying limbs: Dead or dying branches that don’t produce leaves or show signs of decay can fall unexpectedly.
Hollow trunk: A hollow or decayed trunk is a surefire sign that you’re dealing with a hazardous tree that needs to be removed. Hollow trees are a safe haven for disease, fungi, and pests, so it’s best to deal with them as soon as possible.
Root issues: Exposed roots or visible root decay can destabilize the tree, making it more likely to topple.
Fungus or growth: The presence of fungal growth or mushrooms on the tree’s trunk or roots indicates the tree could be sick, which can escalate into structural issues.
Bark damage: Extensive damage to the tree’s bark, such as peeling or wounds, can leave it susceptible to disease and insects.
Keep in mind that not all hazardous trees need to be completely cut down; trimming and maintenance can help you keep your tree healthy and standing tall. Our professionals will assess your tree and create a plan.
When to Schedule Hazardous Tree Removal Services
Knowing when to trim or remove a hazardous tree can be difficult to assess on looks alone. Some signs are more obvious than others, such as when a tree is split at the trunk and is leaning onto property. Other signs are not as obvious, such as fungus and root issues.
When assessing whether a tree needs to be removed, the best first step is to determine if the tree is a hazard. You can do that by securing Eisenhower Tree Care services for a professional inspection. During this appointment, our tree care specialist will find out:
- If anything is structurally wrong with the tree.
- If the tree is infected by disease, fungi, or invasive pests.
- If the tree requires removal or can be rehabilitated.
If your tree care specialist determines that you have a hazardous tree on your property, it’s best to address it before winter officially ramps up. Snow and ice can exponentially increase the weight that tree branches must endure, making them much more susceptible to cracks and breakage.
Contact Eisenhower Tree Care Today to Schedule a Hazardous Tree Inspection
As one of the most experienced tree care services near you in the Kansas City area, Eisenhower Tree Care has helped countless homeowners proactively tackle problems before they do any real damage. We also have the equipment and resources to perform hazardous tree removal.
To kick things off, contact the Eisenhower team to schedule a tree inspection. Once we’ve had a chance to look things over, we can tell you if you have a problematic tree and how it should be addressed. We will do everything within our power to save the tree; however, some scenarios require removal for the sake of protecting people and property, not to mention mitigating the spread of disease to other trees in the vicinity.
You do not want to deal with a broken branch or uprooted tree in the middle of winter. Hazardous trees have the potential to punch holes through property walls and break windows, so it’s best to deal with the problem proactively. Contact us today by calling (816) 237-0705 or via email using the contact form on our website.
Looking for emergency tree care services near you? Eisenhower Tree Care provides 24/7 emergency tree services for the entire KC metro area. Do not call your homeowner’s insurance provider until we’ve had a chance to perform an inspection. Visit our emergency tree care services page for more information.