
Criteria for Removal
- The lower trunk is cracked or broken. If the main trunk is cracked, then the tree is weak and should probably be removed.
- A large stem has split from the tree. ...
- The tree is leaning towards a target. ...
- The tree's structure was not good prior to the storm. ...
- Large limbs are broken. ...
How to know when a tree should be removed?
Why are dead trees an issue?
- Disease/insects can spread to other trees. There are many causes of a dead tree but if the tree in question is dead because of disease this can cause serious harm ...
- Attracts insects/pests. Along with disease spreading to other trees, dead trees tend to attract a lot of unwanted insects and pests.
- Dead branches falling. ...
- Can fall on hazards. ...
What is the best time of year for tree removal?
What Time of Year is Best for Tree Trimming?
- Winter Tree Trimming. Winter is the season when trees are not actively growing, and so that season is often a popular time of year for tree trimming.
- Trimming Trees in the Spring and Summer. For most tree species, tree trimming in the spring can yield good results. ...
- Tree Trimming in Fall. Fall is, in general, the worst time to trim a tree. ...
When does a tree need to be removed?
About a dozen trees will need to be removed from the section opposite the former timber ... the trees when one of the old trees recently dropped a large branch. “This does highlight concerns with the safety of these trees,” read the report from Council ...
What to do when you see a tree being cut?
- An undercut must be made in each tree being felled. The undercut must be of a size so the tree will not split and will fall in the intended direction. ...
- A backcut must be made in each tree being felled. ...
- The backcut may be at or below the horizontal facecut in tree pulling operations. ...
- Domino felling is prohibited.

How do you tell if tree should be removed?
Here are the top signs your tree needs to be cut down.The Tree Is Too Close for Comfort. ... You Notice Weak or Dead Tree Leaves and Bark. ... The Trunk Is Hollow. ... There's a Growing Number of Dead or Dying Tree Branches. ... The Tree Might Fall in a Short Time. ... A Large Limb Looks Like It Might Come Down.More items...•
How do you know if a tree is too close to your house?
How do you know if a tree is too close to a house's foundation?Give it a closer look. If the tree is hanging over the house, or even has branches touching the roof, it's probably too close.If the tree's not actually scraping the roof (but looks awfully close), phone in an expert.
Should I remove trees next to house?
Typically, you do not want trees too close to your home because they can trigger many types of damage that can be pretty devastating. While trees may provide some shade for your home that can help control its temperature (in both winter and summer), trees can also cause: Severe foundation damage due to their roots.
Can removing a tree cause foundation problems?
Will Tree Removal Damage Your Foundation? In rare cases, tree removal can cause foundation damage by allowing the soil to erode or contributing to standing water in your yard. In most cases, removing a tree causes more benefits than harm.
Can a tree destroy a house?
Because of this, it is important to know how root damage occurs and what trees have invasive roots. Tree roots do not outright destroy the foundation but instead shift the soil underneath and around houses and pavement, which causes them to become unstable.
Can trees damage your house?
As trees grow and the root systems become more expansive, they absorb more moisture from a larger area and the soil shrinks further, this causes movement of the ground. This ground movement can lead to subsidence and eventually, damage to building foundations.
Can tree roots damage a house foundation?
Answer: Tree roots can damage a house foundation, with an invitation to do so. Tree roots are very opportunistic and will only grow and penetrate where it is easiest to grow such as friable soils and mulch.
Can a tree be too close to house foundation?
How Do You Know If A Tree Is Too Close To A House's Foundation? Generally, a tree should be planted at least fifteen feet away from the foundation of a home. For larger, overstory species (taller than sixty feet), that distance should be increased to at least twenty feet from foundations and landscape features.
Is it bad to remove trees?
Cutting down an existing tree will change the exposure of those left standing. Where there was once shade and shield, there may now be sun and wind; all elements that can severely impact a trees ability to survive.
How do I know if tree roots are under my house?
When Tree Roots Invade Your FoundationCracks in your foundation's floor.Mostly vertical cracks in your foundation's walls.Cracked or shattered windows with no other evidence of trauma.Uneven door and window frames.Buckling in the floor's surface.
Do tree roots continue to grow after tree is cut down?
Once the tree has been cut, the roots cannot grow anymore because the leaves are necessary to provide the food to fuel root growth. If the roots continue to produce sprouts with leaves, then in time there may be more root growth.
Can tree roots lift a house?
Tree roots are not strong enough to crush foundations or even sewer pipes and can be turned away with barriers. However, tree roots cause damage to foundations in two ways. They can get under the foundation and raise up the building, or they can shrink the soil by removing water from it.
How do you know if a tree needs to be removed?
A tree that needs to be removed may have one or more of the above criteria, like a defoliated canopy and small broken branches . How do you know, then, that it's not a candidate for restoration? Because it will also have one or more of the problems listed below. These indicate a non-repairable tree. A tree suffering one or more of these problems should be removed by a professional. See Selecting Trees That Can Withstand Hurricanes for some suggested species of wind-resistant trees that can be planted in the old tree's place. Look for these signs that a storm-damaged tree in your yard should be removed.
What are some examples of trees that can be removed?
Some examples are live oak, mahogany, and sabal palm. Remove trees that are short-lived, like cherry laurel; prone to decay, such as mature laurel oak; or weak-wooded, such as pine. Save clusters of trees and the plants growing beneath them. Trees growing in groups or shady forests often grow very tall and narrow.
How long does it take for a pine tree to die after a hurricane?
Bear in mind that pines may die slowly, over a period of 6 months to 2 years.
What happens if a tree's trunk is cracked?
If the main trunk is cracked, then the tree is weak and should probably be removed. A large stem has split from the tree. A large branch or co-dominant stem that has broken often leads to massive decay and weakness. The tree is leaning towards a target.
How do I remove a tree stump?
It’s never easy, cheap, and quick to remove a tree stump, but every method has its advantage. If you have the patience, rotting is probably the cheapest and easiest method of stump removal. In this natural process, fungi break down the wood. The rotting can be sped up by regular watering of the stump. Of course, you can just dig and cut it out of the ground. This requires a strong back and might take many hours. You can always call an arborist or tree removal service to grind your stump into small chips, but this can be expensive. Or take the path of least resistance and repurpose your stump, making it into a container garden, covering it with potted plants, or using it as a creative seating area.
What to do after a hurricane?
After a hurricane or large wind storm, homeowners need to assess the damage to their trees and decide what steps to take. Two options are available for storm-damaged trees: restoration and removal. Restoration is saving a tree by careful management. Removal means uprooting a tree and planting another, more wind-resistant, tree in its place.
Why do trees grow in clusters?
Trees growing in groups or shady forests often grow very tall and narrow. If the site is cleared, an isolated tree becomes vulnerable to wind damage and could snap or fall over during a windstorm or hurricane. For this reason, it is best to leave trees in clusters.
Why is it so hard to remove a tree?
When a tree develops problems , it is frequently difficult to decide when to remove it. Many factors such as the cost of tree work and even sometimes emotional ties to the tree can come into play. Dying trees that are located in natural areas and do not pose a danger to property and people can be allowed to die in place without human intervention.
Why do trees die after pruning?
A change in the soil level over the root system is another cause of a gradual decline of trees. If three inches or more of soil has been piled over the root system of the tree, it will probably die. If caught early before stress symptoms develop many trees can be saved.
Why do trees have hollow trunks?
Because the life support tissue, the xylem and phloem, of a tree is on the outer edges of the trunk many trees will live for years with a hollow trunk . The issue is possible compromised trunk strength making the tree dangerous. A guide to help in decision making is if one-third of the interior of the tree is hollow or rotten, ...
Why are my trees dead on one side?
If so, the tree will be lopsided and potentially hazardous. Dead branches that are all on one side of a tree can be a symptom of root or trunk damage on the affected side. Such trees should be evaluated by an arborist.
What happens if 50% of a tree is damaged?
If 50% of the tree is damaged, it probably should be eliminated. A tree that is in decline can continue to survive for many years but will always have limited or abnormal growth and appearance. Trees that have been damaged by herbicide frequently have misshapen leaves, but frequently can recover.
How tall should a tree be under a power line?
Trees under power lines should mature at heights less than 25’. A tree that is growing into power lines will need to be thinned out. During wet weather, electricity can arc as much as ten feet to wet tree foliage and ground out causing a power failure or property damage.
What does it mean when a tree has a crack in the trunk?
Vertical cracks, seams, dead branch stubs and large, older wounds suggest internal decay. Severe damage to the main trunk often warrants removal of the tree. If the damaged area is less than 25 percent of the circumference of the trunk, the wound could gradually heal over and no permanent injury should result.
How far away from a house can a tree be?
Of course a tree looks better just 10 to 20 feet from your house than it does 30 to 40 feet and still get some shade on the house which could result in energy savings, but the closer the tree is and depending on its root systems, it could dig into your foundation and literally damage the structure of your house.
How do trees and shrubs help the house?
Trees and shrubs can act as a wind tunnel to direct breezes into the house but be sure to limb the branches high enough to allow the breeze to pass under the tree. A good rule of thumb is to remember that roots grow between one and three times the width of the canopy of the tree. #2. Trees that touch the siding of the house leave ...
What happens if you touch a tree?
Limbs, bushes, tree branches, and vines all carry water and pests. If they touch the siding of your house, water can leach between the siding and cause mold and mildew in the walls of your home.
How far away should bushes be from the foundation of a house?
Just make sure that any trees or large bushes are at least 10 to 30 feet away from the foundation of your house. Smaller bushes that don’t get very high can be placed closer but again, regardless of its size, no trees, bushes or branches should be touching the side of your house or any structure that you don’t want to get wet or damaged.
Why do trees shade close to houses?
If you plan to shade tree to close to your house you can have mechanical damage such as damage to your foundation or utility lines. Trees can also make the soil moisture fluctuate due to taking water up the trunk and this can cause problems when that soil expands and contracts causing stress to your foundation. #4.
Can a tree fail near a house?
Limbs or trees can fail. Probably the most obvious hazard to having a tree too close to the house is from a falling branch or limb. Branches can fall and break the house or do some serious damage to windows and siding.
Why is it important to remove trees from your property?
There are several benefits to having trees on your property, but there are signs of when to remove a tree is necessary. Trees produce oxygen, conserve energy, and provide habitats for birds, insects, and animals.
What happens when a tree dies?
When a tree is dead, it no longer offers benefits like aesthetic appeal, water retention, and shade. Instead, a dead tree poses a danger, as its structural integrity is compromised, and branches can fall on a person or building. Dead tree removal can prevent the spread of plant diseases to other trees on your property and eliminate the risk of falling branches. There are many ways to find out if a tree is dead.
What happens when trees are overcrowded?
When trees are overcrowded, they will start competing with each other for nutrients in the soil, and the smaller trees will begin showing signs of nutrient deficiencies. Overcrowding also limits air circulation, which can result in fungal diseases.
What happens when lightning strikes a tree?
When lightning strikes a tree, the sap in its bark is heated to extremely high temperatures, and it turns into steam. The lightning can also run along the inner bark of the tree towards the ground, blowing the outer bark away. This situation is highly dangerous, especially when the tree is standing close to your house.
What happens if you blow a tree in high winds?
High winds can cause considerable damage to trees. In some cases, the damage can result in a complete blow-over, root failure, stem failure, or a crown twist. Unfortunately, trees that have suffered these damages will eventually die and pose unnecessary risks to your property.
Why are cracks in trees dangerous?
Cracks in the main trunk can run through the stem and separate the tree into two halves. These cracks increase a tree’s risk of failure, which can cause property damage during high winds. Cracks are especially dangerous when combined with decay.
Can an arborist remove a tree?
Structural problems such as internal decay can cause several issues, including the spread of infection or disease, and falling tree limbs. An arborist may be able to prevent further decay, but in severe cases, removing the tree is your only option.
What to do if you have a big tree near your house?
If you believe you have a big tree too close to your house, don’t get out your saw blades and start measuring. Even if you’ve already cut many trees off your property and feel you could handle these steps, it is better to call in a professional for your tree removal needs.
Why is it important to cut trees?
When you cut away excessive trees branches and limbs, you help make your larger trees safer for your yard.
Is it safe to keep trees close to your house?
The exact range will vary based on tree species and other factors. However, there are a few times when any tree is undoubtedly too close to your home. Unfortunately, your trees are dangerously close to your house:
Do tall trees block out the sun?
You typically want to keep your trees at these safer distances while also getting some shade. Tall trees should more easily block out the sun and have long roots that may be more prone to damage your home.
Can you cut a tree backwards?
For example, it is far too easy for amateurs to cut trees so that they may fall backward onto a house and create a severe problem. Even when you cut at an angle to take the tree away from a home, it could still fall back on itself if you aren’t careful.
Can you cut down a tree in your yard?
Cutting down a tree in your yard must be approached with caution. Mature trees, even if they’re damaged, are living creatures and must be treated with respect.
Is a tree below damaging?
Thankfully, the trees below are nowhere near as damaging when planted closer to your home.
What to do if a tree grows too close to your house?
A Tree is Growing Too Close to My House – Trim or Remove It. Whether the roots are growing protruding the foundation, or the canopy is large enough to graze the house, that tree has grown too close to your home. Depending on the species and maturity of the tree in question, there are a few distinctions and options to explore before considering tree ...
What happens if you cut a tree in a storm?
Innocent missteps when attempting to cut roots or over prune a tree may lead to the decline of your tree’s health and ultimate death. This scenario often results in the tree toppling during a storm, and potentially causing severe structural damage or fatalities.
How far can a tree root grow?
Understanding how tree roots grow is important to protect your home and foundation. The reach of the tree roots is usually determined by the size of the trunk. For each inch at DBH (Diameter at Breast Height – diameter measured 4.5 feet above ground), the roots extend up to a foot and a half away from the trunk. With that calculation, a six inch trunk at DBH means the roots can extend up to nine feet away from the trunk in any direction.
Why do trees grow in the yard?
Note: Tree roots grow in search of moisture and nutrients. The soil beneath a home’s foundation is typically dry and “unattractive” to tree roots. However, leaks in the water supply or sewage lines can make ...
Where do tree roots grow?
Tree Roots Grow Far from the Trunk
Is Tree Service a 100% customer satisfaction policy?
You can be confident in our tree service. We have a 100% customer satisfaction policy and are fully licensed and insured.
Can you cut a tree's roots?
Not so fast. Before you go slicing into a tree’s roots, call on a tree service to evaluate the situation and provide the best solution. Otherwise, cutting into large roots will leave the tree susceptible to infestation and disease, while cutting the smaller ones only delays their inevitable nature of growing back.
Why do people get rid of trees?
While they can be a lot of cleanup, many trees are beautiful additions to any yard. Getting rid of them means getting rid of the aesthetic value they add to your property. Many homeowners complain about how bare their yards look once they’re done building a house, and this is largely because of the lack of trees.
What does cutting down trees do to your yard?
Cutting down trees changes things for the insects, birds, and other wildlife that call your yard home.
Can you cut down a tree and buy another?
Trees take so long to grow that you can’t just cut one down then change your mind and go out and buy another. Removing a tree is a big decision that can’t be easily reversed. If you aren’t completely sure that you want that tree gone, it might be a good sign that you should leave it be for the time being.
Can a tree fall on a car?
Even healthy trees come down, whether it’s branches falling off or the whole tree. It’s worth noting that if you have a tree in your yard that is dead or appears to be diseased, it’s best to go ahead and cut it down– it will never be strong again, and eventually it’s going to fall. Better to have it done on your terms so that it doesn’t damage anything valuable.
Why do you remove dead trees?
And that’s just one of the reasons to remove a dead tree. If a pest or disease prompted the tree’s decline, it’s critical to remove it so nearby trees aren’t at risk of infestation and infection.
Why is it important to remove dead trees?
If a pest or disease prompted the tree’s decline, it’s critical to remove it so nearby trees aren’t at risk of infestation. Safely removing a dead tree protects you and your landscape from these hazards and leaves room for you to bring new life to your landscape.
What is the best person to remove a tree?
A certified arborist who is licensed, insured, and educated on how to safely remove trees is by far the best person for the job.
How many people are needed to diagnose a dead tree?
Diagnosing a dead tree is a two-person task. You and your arborist both play an important role in keeping your yard safe from a hazardous tree.
What to do if a tree is taken out by fire?
If a single tree was taken out by a fire (like house fire), the planting steps would be the same as any other removal. However, if it the damaged area is larger, due to a wildfire, then rake out the charred debris prior to planting a tree that is a good fit for the location.
Why are dead trees dangerous?
A dead tree poses a great risk to you and your home because it’s particularly weak. It can lose branches or tip over in a storm and severely damage your home or property. The scariest part is that dead trees are completely unpredictable.
What are trees in your backyard?
Trees. They're shields of protection along the edges of your property. They're Mother Nature's masterpieces in your own backyard. They're beautiful, comforting, And sometimes they're family.
