Dangerous trees are not only a safety hazard for others but a legal liability for yourself. If a tree on your property injures someone, you may be on the hook for paying for their injuries. So, if you suspect you have a hazardous tree on your property, you need an expert to remove it as soon as possible.
Backridge Tree Service is here with these five signs you have a dangerous tree on your property. If you notice these issues, you can also contact us today to schedule your tree service in Fort Walton Beach, FL.
1. Leaning Tree
The most obvious sign a tree is a falling hazard is that it is leaning. Trees may have a natural bow to them, but excessive leaning can mean the tree feels unbalanced or the trunk has structural defects. Different trees have different tolerances for leaning, but most experts agree that a tree leaning more than 45 degrees is at a higher risk of falling.
If you do not want to remove it, you may be able to brace the trunk to fix tree instability.
2. Deadwood
Deadwood is a tell-tale sign your tree has major structural issues, with the most common area for decay detection being the branches. Trees with dead branches have large bare spots in the canopy where the dead branches cannot sustain leaves. Dying trees may also start to shed more branches than usual.
You can perform weak branch identification by looking for branches that are brown, dry, and brittle on the inside. Living tree wood is soft, moist, and has a slight green color.
3. Cracks in Trunk
Severe trauma from a storm or impacts with large objects can form cracks along a tree trunk. These cracks can spread to the middle of the trunk and put it at risk of falling down. If the crack is deep enough, the hazardous tree might start to split and fall along the midline, effectively splitting the trunk in two.
4. Holes
Large holes are usually a result of pest infestations or tree disease. Healthier trees can heal holes on their own, but they might leave scarred knobs and tree burls. If the hole gets too large, the tree won’t be able to heal itself, and its condition will worsen.
These holes are a prime spot for further infestation, fungal growth, and disease.
5. Root Damage
Tree roots supply vital nutrients and water to the trunk, so when they sustain damage, the entire tree can start to wither and die. Roots are below the ground, so you might not see immediate visible signs of danger. However, you can tell the roots are damaged from the tree’s health.
If the tree starts to wither and there is no visible infection or structural damage, the most likely problem is the root system.
Tree Services in Fort Walton Beach, FL
If you would like to schedule a tree risk assessment for a hazardous tree, contact Backridge Tree Service today at (850) 240-2829.