It’s important to realize that having a dangerous tree on your property makes you liable.
Falling trees are more of a hazard than most people realize. Whether that manifests itself as property damage or hurting someone, it’s important to realize that having a dangerous tree on your property makes you liable. And while that liability is a big responsibility, most homeowners don’t know how to examine the trees on their property and determine whether or not a tree is safe to keep around.
If you call the experts at Harford Tree, we can certainly help you diagnose any hazardous tree problems and, if necessary, help you remove them. That said, it’s always good to be armed with knowledge, so we want to go into some tips on how to spot dangerous trees so you can be better equipped to deal with any problems in the future.
Overall Condition
Start with an inspection of the tree as a whole. Stand where you can get a good picture of the entire tree—is it leaning in any obvious direction? Are there large, dead branches hanging down? What about sections where leaves are dropping that shouldn’t be based on the season? If any of this is the case, you probably want to contact a local arborist and let them know. From there, they can do a closer inspection and recommend a plan to fix your dangerous tree situation.
Look at the Ground
We all know that trees have strong, deep roots that go into the ground. There are two kinds of roots that you should know about. Anchoring (or structural) roots can help support the tree and are typically the most visible. On the other hand, there are absorbing roots that are below the ground and bring up the water and nutrients the tree needs to be healthy from the soil.
If your tree’s anchoring roots look unhealthy, it may be time to bring in an arborist. If anything is clearly rotting or decaying, it’s a sign that something isn’t right. Pull back any ivy and get the best look you can of the soil where the trunk meets the ground. Cracked or raised soil could also indicate issues. You also want to look for fungal growth, which can be an indicator of rotting.
Check the Trunk
Your tree’s trunk is what supports all the weight of everything above it. If you think your tree may be having health issues, you definitely want to give its trunk a closer inspection. Look for any cracks or cavities, which could indicate that the tree is at risk of breaking apart or splitting further. Bark falling off can also be a sign that sections of the tree are dead or that there are other issues like fungus or disease.
Canopy Inspection
One of the biggest issues with having a dangerous tree on your property isn’t the trunk itself, but the tree’s branches. If a tree isn’t getting enough sunlight or if there are other issues, branches start to die and bark will begin to fall off. Look up at your canopy and see if you notice any spots with dead wood.
Tree Care and Maintenance from Harford Tree
Ready to have the beautiful yard you have always dreamed of? Harford Tree Experts & Landscaping, Inc has been in the business for decades, providing customers with quality work and quick responses all at the right price. We service the areas of Harford County, Baltimore County, Baltimore City areas including Bel Air, Fallston, Perry Hall, Towson, Essex, Parkville, White Marsh and Middle River.
For service during business hours, reach out to us or give us a call at 410-592-7321. We offer 24/7 emergency service as well, just give us a call at 443-250-6649. For updates about our business and more informative tips, follow us on Facebook and Twitter.