Although trees can be an important part of the landscape, they can also be one of the more problematic components. If a tree is declining in health or posing a hazard to your home or those that live there, then you may need to have it removed immediately.

1. Uprooting Danger

A leaning tree should be removed immediately, especially if it is leaning towards your home, the street, or another nearby structure. Another sign that a tree is in danger of uprooting is if the soil around the base of the tree looks like it has been tilled or churned up, particularly after heavy winds. Churned soil indicates shallow or broken roots that are no longer anchoring the tree well, which means it could come crashing down at any time.

2. Dropping Branches

A lot of deadwood up in the tree also poses a hazard to anyone and anything below. If branches, particularly large branches, keep falling to the ground then it is time to remove the tree. You may first want to have it assessed, though, since in some cases a good pruning will save the tree. If the deadwood is symptomatic of disease or pest issues, though, removal may be the better option.

3. Power Line Concerns

A common problem is planting a tree, particularly a large growing variety, under or near power lines. Either you will need to have it pruned constantly, sometimes multiple times a year, or you will need to have it removed. Since it is dangerous to prune near power lines, removal is usually the safest choice. Replace it with a low growing shrub that won't impede the power lines.

4. Foundation Damage

Tree roots can spread for many yards from the trunk, but generally, most of the root growth is concentrated in a 10- to 15-foot circle around the trunk. As long as the tree is at least this far from your foundation, you shouldn't have problems. If a tree is growing too close to the foundation of your home, though, removal is much less expensive compared to repairing the damage the roots may do to your foundation.

5. Pavement Root Incursion

Roots can also damage paving, such as sidewalks, driveways, patios, and even nearby roadways. If roots are lifting or cracking the paving around your property, the only solution is to have the problem tree removed. In the future, avoid planting anything with large root systems near paved areas.

Contact a tree removal service immediately if you notice any of these problems.

Share