Hazardous Tree Prevention

How much attention do you give the trees in your yard? For many homeowners, the answer is none. Many of us believe that trees are a part of nature and do not require any maintenance or upkeep. While this may be true of trees deep within the forest, trees sharing our civilized society with us are faced with abundant external influences. A tree that has incurred damage from human interference or environmental forces can fail and become a safety hazard to people, automobiles and buildings.

Proper planting, maintenance and care can prevent a tree from becoming hazardous in many cases. Here we address a few of the preventable circumstances that can cause a tree to become hazardous:

-Planting mistakes. Even with the best of intentions, a person without tree care knowledge and experience can cause more harm than good when planting a tree. Some common mistakes include planting in the wrong season or soil conditions, inappropriate hole depth and planting too close to buildings, sidewalks or other structures. When a tree is planted, its anticipated mature size as well as the location of sidewalks, driveways, buildings, power lines and future obstructions must be considered.

-Amateur maintenance. While any attempt to maintain your trees may be appreciated, there are potential dangers associated with do-it-yourself tree care. Though pruning may seem like an innocent enough endeavor, improper pruning can lead to tree disease and death. Pruning branches flush with the trunk and using wound paint are two common mistakes, both of which stem from widely held misconceptions about proper pruning techniques. Topping, or removing portions of a tree’s canopy, is another mistake that can lead to disease and decay. Experts agree that topping impairs the health of trees and makes them more likely to become hazards.

-Future construction. Construction near an existing tree is a major threat to the tree’s health and can cause it to become hazardous. Damage may stem from the construction of a new structure, digging for utility lines or the addition of a road or driveway, to name a few. Damage to the tree itself or its roots as well as changes to the ground caused by construction can lead to the death of a tree. Trees can incur damage that leads them to become hazardous even in cases when symptoms are not immediately apparent. Trees that may have been subjected to damage should be inspected by a certified tree expert so that potential hazards can be identified and addressed.

Some visible signs that a tree may be hazardous include cracks, decay, cankers (sunken or missing bark), and weak structure. However, a tree can be a hazard without exhibiting any obvious signs. The tree’s location (such as being near pavement or concrete) and external threats (such as automobiles driving over the roots) must also be considered. If you own a tree in question, you are encouraged to consult with a local tree service expert for a Hazard Tree Inspection.

About the Author: Andrew Johnson is the owner of Central Texas Tree Care, a leading Austin Texas tree service provider in Central Texas (Travis County and surrounding areas). Central Texas Tree Care offers services such as pruning and removals, cabling and bracing as well as arborist reports, diagnostics, pest management and fertilization. For more information please visit http://www.centraltexastreecare.com.

Motives Behind Tree Removal

The first stage of any tree removal endeavor is ensuring that removal is the most suitable option given the situation. Trees that are unstable as a result of awkward growth patterns or storm damage can often be salvaged through the employment of professional tree cabling and bracing techniques. An experienced tree service expert can determine whether a particular tree can be salvaged or if removal is the best option. Here we examine some of the common reasons trees are removed:

-Disease. Tree disease can stem from a range of external causes, some living and some non-living. Though disease is a common reason for tree removal, trees with disease do not necessarily have to be removed. A tree service expert can determine whether a diseased tree can be treated. Accurate diagnosis is key to determining whether tree removal is necessary.

-Death. Trees, like us, have life cycles during which they grow, mature and eventually die. For some types of trees, the expected life span is fifteen or twenty years, while others endure for thousands of years. A tree may complete its life cycle and die, or it may encounter premature death as a result of a disease, fire, an ice storm, hurricane, or other external influence. Dead trees will eventually deteriorate, and can present a hazard if they are not removed.

-Threat to property. A tree’s vast network of roots often consumes a lot of underground space. If the tree is located nearby a home or other building, its root system can be a threat to the foundation of the structure. Roots may cause pressure that affect the building directly, or they can create unevenness in the soil’s moisture level that causes disproportionate settling of the foundation. Trees contributing to such problems may be removed to avoid structural repairs to the building.

-Landscaping. Sometimes an otherwise healthy tree is removed because a property owner desires new landscaping. In this case, another option is to consider the feasibility of transplanting the tree to a more desirable location.

Before attempting any tree removal project, be sure to familiarize yourself with any regulations and guidelines set forth by your city or local community regarding tree removal and adhere to them entirely. For example, on a single family residential property in Austin, Texas, a permit is required to remove a tree with a circumference greater than 59.5 inches as measured at 4.5 feet from the ground. Because of the hazards involved and potential legal implications, tree removal is safest and most effective when it is performed by qualified experts.

About the Author: Andrew Johnson is the owner of Central Texas Tree Care, a leading Austin Texas tree service provider in Central Texas (Travis County and surrounding areas). Central Texas Tree Care offers services such as pruning and removals, cabling and bracing as well as arborist reports, diagnostics, pest management and fertilization. For more information please visit http://www.centraltexastreecare.com.