How to Prevent Tree Hazards

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Hugh Reinhardt

Great job they removed a big tree stump on our property with no problem and at a better price than the others guys wanted to charge us. Driscoll Tree Service team was on time and had the right equipment and got right to work.

Jennifer Ray

Michael came out to evaluate some trees I had with a questionable fungus on them, and ultimately the course of action was removal for a select few. He got me an estimate for the removal within a matter of days. They had the most competitive prices out of the other estimates I got. Michael is a very knowledgeable Arborist and you can tell he is passionate about his work. He wasn't pushy at all about the removal like some of the other companies I had come out, and he advised me on doing it in "phases" to fit my budget. The actual tree removal and stump grinding itself was so smooth and all the workers that came with the crane and stump service were very professional and communicative about what the process was going to be.

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How to Prevent Tree Hazards

Tree failure is a tree's breakdown from various problems. All trees are vulnerable to problems, even healthy trees. Careful inspection of your trees can allow you to identify any potential hazards and possible treatments. Driscoll Tree Service provides professional tree services for both residential and commercial properties.

What Does Tree Failure Mean?

A tree failure occurs when a tree trunk splits or breaks into two pieces. Several factors can cause this:

Overgrown roots – Roots grow outward from the base of a tree and can take up space in the soil beneath the surface area. If these roots get too large, they can press against the trunk of a tree and cause it to split apart during storms or high winds due to excessive weight from snowfall or ice accumulation.
Debris buildup – Tree trunks often collect debris such as dead branches, leaves, and twigs over time. This can lead to weak spots that cause splits or breakage during storms or high winds when excess weight becomes too much for the tree's structure to handle.
Heavy winds – Wind is one of the most common causes of tree failure because it can push against trees and make them fall over or snap off at their base. High winds can also cause limbs to break off when they hit other trees, buildings, or power lines.
Drought – Drought weakens trees by drying out their roots, making them more susceptible to wind or heavy snowfall pressure. Trees with shallow roots may be more affected by droughts than those with deeper roots.

What Hazards Exist With Tree Failure?

Trees are beautiful and beneficial to any property. They provide shade, add beauty and value to the property, and provide a peaceful respite from daily life. However, trees can also be dangerous if they fall or fail.

Several hazards may result from tree failure:

Falling limbs or branches
Injury to people or pets
Property damage
Fire damage
Trees can cause damage to any part of your home or property, including roofs, windows, and siding. Trees may also catch fire if lightning strikes or are set ablaze by fire spread from nearby structures.

Tree Concerns

Some tree issues can be corrected with proper care and maintenance. The first step to preventing tree hazards is to know what you are looking for.

Mushrooms and Fungus

Mushrooms are the fruiting bodies of certain fungi that grow on trees. They can appear anywhere on a tree, including its trunk, branches, or leaves. They're usually brown or white, with a stem and cap, and the stems may be short or long and fibrous.

Fungus is also standard on trees. It's a plant disease caused by microscopic organisms such as molds and yeasts that feed on decaying matter. Fungal infections can cause spots on leaves or stems or spread throughout the plant, causing large areas of dead tissue. Some fungi attack trees when stressed by environmental factors like drought, insects, or disease. Others attack healthy plants through open wounds in the bark caused by pruning or broken branches.

Lifting Soil or Roots

If you notice that the roots of your tree are coming out of the ground and lifting the soil, this may be an indication that your tree needs more water or fertilizer. It might also be a sign of root rot which can cause further damage to your tree's health and stability. If there is no noticeable damage to the trunk, it may only be an issue with the roots.

Sawdust or Bark Shed

When a tree sheds its bark or sawdust-like material, it could mean something wrong with your tree's health. This could be due to disease or pests like beetles or mites eating away at the bark or wood inside the tree's trunk. It could also mean that there were some issues during pruning that caused this damage to occur.

Large Cavities

Large cavities are holes in the trunk of a tree that are greater than one inch in diameter. Large cavities can be caused by decay, fungi, insects, or disease, and they may also be caused by impact from vehicles, lawn mowers, and other machinery. Large cavities can weaken the tree's structure and make it more susceptible to failure during storms or high winds.

Nesting Cavities

Nesting cavities are holes that have been enlarged by small animals such as squirrels or raccoons. These animals will enlarge these holes for shelter or food storage purposes. While nesting cavities do not threaten the tree's health, they may allow for entry points for insects and diseases, which can lead to other problems for your trees.

Tree Limb Union

The connection between two limbs is referred to as a union. Tree limb unions that are split, cracked, or sunken should be evaluated by a professional arborist who can determine if they need to be repaired immediately or if they can wait until spring when there is less risk of further damage occurring with high winds and rainstorms.

Leaning Trees

A tree leaning toward your house could be damaged by wind or snow or topple over during a storm. If the leaning tree is large enough that it might cause damage to your home if it falls, you should call in an arborist or other tree expert to evaluate the situation and provide advice on what action to take.

Branch Health

If your tree has unhealthy branches that could snap off in high winds or storms, trim them off, so they don't become hazards later. Ensure you cut away from anything else around the tree so no debris will fall on someone below.

Leaf Health

Tree leaves provide shade and beauty — but they also block sunlight from reaching the plants below them. If leaves on your trees have dropped from higher up, rake them out of the way so plant growth can continue below the canopy level of the trees.

Assessment By Professional Tree Company

If your tree is damaged or diseased, hire a professional from Driscoll Tree Service. We are trained to identify whether a tree is damaged and what treatment options are available. Our professional tree services and tree care company can guide you to your specific tree concerns.