How to Assess the Condition of your Trees

If you have trees near your home, looking out for some distress signals will help you to know if they are about to fall. There are many ways to know if your tree is in danger of falling over so that you can take the right measures. For instance, after the storm is over you may want to walk around the area and look at the condition of the foliage, branches and bark of the tree. If the bark is peeling, this could be a sign of trouble. You can also check if the tree has any brown leaves or dead wood by inspecting it closely using binoculars.

What happens when a tree leans on one side?

Trees normally lean on one side. It’s quite unusual for a tree to grow straight. However, when the tree is leaning too much on one side, it shows that there’s an issue with the distribution of weight or damage has occurred on the roots. If the tree is clearly unstable, something needs to be done immediately. You may even notice cracks on one side of the tree or exposed roots on the base. One of the ways to deal with this unequal weight distribution is to prune branches on the heavier side of the tree. An arborist will be able to recommend the most suitable method for dealing with such cases.

Managing trees on your property

There are many ways to deal with trees in your property and make sure they are safe. Remember that it is your responsibility as a home owner to identify tree hazards and prevent them. Sometimes regular tree care can help to prevent some of these defects from getting out of hand and presenting serious risks. An arborist is well trained to recognize a tree hazard and then advice on the best method to address the situation.

There are cases where improper pruning can weaken a tree. Most homeowners contract anyone to prune their trees not knowing that if done inappropriately pruning can cause significant damage. For this reason, make sure the person you hire to do pruning work is a certified arborist.

In case the tree is at risk of falling, you need to get rid of any items that can be hit by that falling tree. This includes cars, outdoor furniture or landscape items that are adjacent to the falling tree. If the tree is close to a power line or can cause damage to the home then it can be removed safely instead of waiting for it to fall.

Most people will only take care of the young trees. Mature trees also need to be well taken care of. They need adequate water supply and in some cases, fertilizer and mulch in order to develop properly. Pruning can also be done depending on the season and the structure of the tree.  If the tree is hazardous, it’s best to have it removed.  You can have a replacement by looking for a more ideal place to plant a new tree once the hazardous one is removed.

Posted By: All American Tree Pro http://allamericantreepro.com