It’s always a shame when you have to get a tree cut down in your yard, but as any tree removal company will tell you, sometimes it just has to go. Here are the situations where removal is unavoidable.
- The tree is dead or heavily damaged.All trees eventually die – the bristlecone pine can live up to 5,000 years, but chances are that the trees in your yard are not destined to live that long. A good rule of thumb is that if more than 50% of the tree is damaged, it needs to be cut down. Wounds that are not too extensive will probably heal on their own with no permanent damage. Consult your tree removal contractors for an honest assessment of the tree’s health.
- The tree is in an unstable environment.Trees are very sensitive to changes in environment. That’s why urban areas usually require more tree removal services, especially areas that are recent developments – trees get unstable and are more likely to fall if their surroundings have been changed within the past five to ten years. Additionally, if the tree is very large, its roots may not be able to extend as far as they need to in order to get a good hold on the soil, simply because urban areas sometimes do not provide them with the space. Large trees should be at least 20 feet from your house. Smaller trees, like dogwood and crepe myrtle, may be planted closer, as their roots systems do not require as much space.
- The tree is just growing funny. Sometimes, trees like to grow at an angle. This is not always a problem, but if they lean more than 15 degrees, it is in danger of falling, simply because as it gets bigger, it will not be able to support its own weight.
Sometimes, it’s the roots, not the tree, that are posing the problem. Sometimes tree roots grow in the way of your water pipes or under a sidewalk, undermining the surface quality. Sometimes they remain after the tree removal process and are just aesthetically displeasing. Try these tree root removal tips to get rid of troublesome tree roots.
- Be precise about the root you want to cut. If the tree is still alive, cutting the wrong root or cutting too close to the tree can undermine its health.
- After you’ve cut and removed the root, make sure to fill the resulting trench back in with soil or sod.
- Yes, you do have to actually cut the root, preferably with a root saw (although heavy-duty shears can do the trick with smaller roots). Some tree root removal tips will tell you to use poison. Do not do this. You will kill the tree or any surrounding fauna.
- If you’ve cut a living root, monitor the tree afterwards to make sure you didn’t damage it.
Lastly, don’t be afraid to contact professionals who can remove the offending root for you or give you more tree root removal tips. Find out more here.
