Should You Try To Save That Tree Or Have It Removed? Here's How You Can Decide
If you're like many homeowners, you appreciate the value and aesthetic beauty that trees add to your home landscape, and you probably aren't crazy about the prospect of trees being removed from your property. However, there are times when removing a tree is the best course of action. The following are five questions to ask yourself if you're struggling with whether or not to have a tree removed.
Has the Tree Become a Safety Hazard?
One of the major reasons for having a tree removed is that it's become a safety hazard. For instance, it may be located too close to power lines, or maybe it's developed a lean that makes it likely to fall over at some point during a period of high winds.
Are the Tree Roots Causing Problems?
Fibrous tree roots that grow outward instead of down sometimes cause cracks and heaves in paved surfaces, creating a slip-and-fall hazard as well as costing the homeowner time and money in necessary repairs. Tree roots can also wreak havoc in septic systems. The roots can be trimmed by professional tree care specialists, but they always grow back.
Is the Tree Dying or Diseased?
Trees that are dying or are so diseased that there is little chance of rehabilitating them should be removed as well. Not only do these trees become potential safety hazards as their wood becomes weak, brittle, and rotten, but they're also magnets for fungal pathogens which may then spread to surrounding vegetation. As a general rule, if more than 50% of a tree's branches are either dead or affected by disease, it's probably best to call a tree removal service.
Is the Tree Planted in the Wrong Place?
Some trees fail to thrive simply because they've been planted in the wrong place, and instead of reaching their potential, these trees tend to languish for years before fading into a deadly decline. It could be that the tree simply wasn't planted in a location where it gets enough sun, or maybe it's been planted in a low-lying area where rainwater runoff tends to pool and its roots are often waterlogged. Whatever the issue is, a tree planted in the wrong place will never thrive.
Does the Tree Present a Visual Obstruction?
Trees sometimes present a visual obstruction that stands in the way of safety. For instance, if a tree planted on your property makes it difficult to see what's coming when you pull out of your driveway, you should have it removed for safety's sake.
Contact a tree removal service to learn more.