Most homeowners call us because a tree looks wrong. Sometimes they're right and it needs to come down soon. Just as often, the tree only needs a good pruning and a little attention. Here's how we think about it when we walk a property.
Signs a tree should probably be removed
1. More than half the canopy is dead
If a tree leafs out only on a few branches while the rest stays bare into June, it's struggling badly. Trees can recover from losing some limbs, but once dieback passes about 50%, the odds of recovery drop sharply and dead wood keeps falling.
2. It's an ash tree in decline
Emerald ash borer has killed the majority of untreated ash trees across Northeast Ohio. Infested ash trees become brittle very quickly once they die, which makes them dangerous to climb and unpredictable to fell. If you have a dying ash near the house, don't wait.
3. Large cracks or splits in the trunk
A vertical crack that goes deep into the wood, especially one that opens and closes in the wind, is a serious structural defect. So is a fork that's starting to split apart.
4. Fungus at the base or on the roots
Mushrooms or shelf-like conks growing from the root flare often mean decay is eating away at the roots — the part of the tree that holds it up. Not every fungus is a death sentence, but it always deserves a closer look.
5. A new or worsening lean
Plenty of trees grow with a lean and are perfectly stable. What worries us is a lean that appeared suddenly, especially with cracked or heaving soil on the opposite side of the trunk.
6. It's damaging something important
Roots in a sewer line, a trunk pushing against a foundation, or a tree planted directly under power lines may simply be the wrong tree in the wrong place.
7. It's in the way of something you want
That's a fair reason too. A new addition, a garden that needs sun, a pool — sometimes the best plan is to remove one tree and plant two better-placed ones.
"A tree is worth keeping when the risk it poses is lower than the value it gives you. Our job is to help you see both sides clearly."
Signs a tree can probably stay
Some dead branches: Every mature tree sheds limbs. Crown cleaning removes them safely and the tree carries on.
Surface roots: Maples and some other species naturally grow roots near the surface. That's a mowing nuisance, not usually a structural problem.
A hollow spot: Trees can stay remarkably strong with some internal decay, as long as enough solid wood remains around it. An inspection can tell you how much is left.
When in doubt, get it looked at
If a tree could reach your house, your driveway or a place where people spend time, it's worth having someone qualified look at it. Our estimates for removal and pruning are free, and a detailed health inspection is $95 — credited toward any work you book within 60 days.
Owner of Phoenix Firstmerchants Inc. in Geneva, Ohio.
Keep reading
- Stump Grinding vs. Stump Removal: Which One Do You Actually Need?
- Getting Your Trees Ready for Lake Erie Storm Season
Related services: Tree Removal, Tree Trimming & Pruning, Stump Grinding, Storm Damage Cleanup.
