Dangerous Trees
Oftentimes, trees go unnoticed. Part of an endless backdrop of color and shadow, these glorious behemoths stretch towards the sky offering many benefits, both practical and ascetic. It is a wonder we do not pay them their deserved attention.
Trees are beautiful and massive. Really massive! For example, a mid-sized Oak with a diameter of just 2 feet weighs in at an astonishing 7000 pounds. That’s 2.25 Toyota Camrys! Imagine a couple of 4-door sedans falling from 60 feet with your kitchen as their destination.
There is no greater threat to life and property at most residences and businesses than a dead or declining tree. We talked with Landscape Workshop Account Manager Josh Lansdale to learn about the measures you can take to determine if your tree needs further evaluation by an industry professional.
1. Spend a little time looking up at the canopy of your tree:
- Check for hanging branches or missing leaves on multiple branches.
- Evergreen trees, such as pines, commonly lose needles closest to the interior of the tree. If you see needles and other foliage turning brown at the tip, then you may have a declining tree.
- Trees with brown leaves or needles during the summer is an indicator of a larger issue.
2. Inspect the trunk and roots:
- Check the trunk for peeling bark, cracks, or splits.
- Look around at the base of the tree for sawdust. Saw dust is a sign of boring insects. This does not necessarily mean your tree is in decline, but likely points to an injury that requires close inspection.
- Large numbers of mushrooms growing up the base and around the roots is a display of root rot. This tree is a strong candidate for removal.
If you suspect you have a dead or declining tree on your property, lean on us at Landscape Workshop. We are happy to provide you with a free consultation!
