4 Signs That a Tree in Your Yard May Need to Be Removed

Posted on: 6 July 2020

If you're like most homeowners, you appreciate all that the trees in your yard do you and your family. They provide curb appeal, cool places to relax on warm summer days, and depending on their type, they may provide nutritious and delicious food in the form of nuts and fruits. But no tree lives forever, and there are times when the best course of action is to have a troublesome tree removed. The following are four signs that a tree in your yard may need to be removed. 

1. The Tree Has Developed a Dangerous Lean

A tree that leans can pose a serious safety and liability threat to the person whose property it's on. Many trees with a slight lean aren't much of a threat, but if the lean is 30-degrees or more, it's likely that it's affecting the stability of the root system, which is what anchors the trees in place. If your tree is leaning, consider removing it.

2. The Tree Is Dying

Virtually all mature trees have at least a little dead wood, but if over 50% of the wood on your tree is dead, then the tree is in such poor health that it may not be possible to revive it. However, a trained tree-care professional will know for sure. If the tree is covered with fruiting fungi, then it is beyond help and must be removed as soon as possible because the fungal spores may spread to surrounding vegetation. Fungal disease in trees starts in the interior, so by the time it makes it to the outside of the tree, the tree is already damaged beyond repair. 

3. The Tree Is Failing to Thrive

If you've got a tree in your yard that isn't doing as well as it should no matter what you've tried, it's likely that the tree is simply planted in the wrong place and will continue to fail to thrive. For instance, perhaps the tree requires a great deal of direct sunlight and has been planted in an area that receives a significant amount of shade, or maybe it was planned in a low-lying part of your yard that tends to collect excess water. Whatever the reason, removing the tree may be the only solution. It may be possible, however, to replant the tree in a part of your yard that can provide a healthier environment for it. If you've got a tree in your yard that just isn't performing and you suspect it's because of where the tree is sited, ask your local tree removal service if replanting is a viable option. 

4. The Tree's Roots Are Breaking Up Your Sidewalk or Driveway

In most municipalities, homeowners are required to adequately maintain the sidewalks directly in front of their homes, and tree roots sometimes pose problems in this respect. Tree roots have the potential to cause the soil under paved surfaces to shift in ways that cause the material to crack, and cracked sidewalks and driveways are not only unsightly, but they are also unsafe. If someone were to become injured while traversing these surfaces, you could potentially be held legally liable.

For instance, if a child riding a bicycle on the sideway in front of your home got thrown off the bike and hurt because of a crack or other malformation in your sidewalk, the parents may have grounds to file a personal injury lawsuit. The most common culprits in scenarios in which paved surfaces are damaged by tree roots are deciduous trees with fibrous, shallow root systems.

Your local tree removal service can provide more information on whether you should have a specific tree removed from your yard. 

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