Tree Removal: 7 Warning Signs That It’s Time to Remove Your Tree

Think you may need to hire tree removal services for your property? Don’t ignore these 7 warning signs that it’s time to remove your tree.

Trees are a long-standing part of your landscaping design. Their large size makes them extremely durable, and they can live decades without issue.

However, like all living things, trees will die at some point. Due to their large size, trees represent a safety hazard to your home and yard.

If your tree has reached the end of its lifespan, you need to prepare for tree removal to prevent damage to the surrounding area. Fortunately, there are a few key warning signs that you can keep your eye out for to figure out when that may be.

Warning Signs You Need Tree Removal

If you notice any, or several, of the below warning signs, you should talk to an arborist such as Experienced Tree Service. If pests or diseases have damaged or killed your tree, they can spread to other trees in your yard. A speedy removal will protect your other trees and plants.

1. Listing or Tilting

The clearest sign that you can get that your tree should be removed is if it has shifted. A tree that lists to one side has likely had root or trunk damage and is no longer structurally strong enough to hold itself up. Fortunately, cheap tree removal can fix the problem before it can cause more expensive damage to your home, car, or yard.

It may be hard to track a tree that has begun to lean to one side at first. You should pay attention to the roots of your tree. As the tree leans to one side, the roots can break out of the ground and become visible.

2. Missing Leaves

Another sign that your tree is suffering from a disease or is no longer healthy enough to stand on its own is if the leaves have fallen off out of season. However, in some cases, your branches may be bare because new buds just did not come in after the winter.

Bare branches can be caused by a pest infestation, by a disease, or by damaged roots that prevent your tree from absorbing enough nutrients.

3. Missing Bark

In the same vein, any sort of missing bark on your tree’s trunk and branches can point to pests or disease as well. The wood of the trunk should never be exposed, as this opens the tree up to physical damage.

4. Damaged Trunk

If your tree has pieces of bark missing, the trunk can begin to degrade. A rotting or splintering trunk opens your tree up to structural issues and can cause it to begin to lean or even collapse.

You should also be aware that a trunk that has split into separate growths is also an issue. While the tree itself may be healthy, a trunk that is growing in two separate directions may place more stress on the tree than it can physically handle. This can lead to broken branches and similar issues later on.  A tree service in Toronto should be hired to remove the stump before it causes any problems.

5. Fungal Growth

Beyond looking for signs of physical damage to your trees, you should also pay attention to any growths on your tree’s branches or trunk. Fungal growth will only happen around dead and rotting matter. If your tree is suffering from fungal growth, it will usually start at the base of the tree, at the roots, and then work its way upwards.

This means that any mushrooms growing out of the side of your tree mean that the trunk has died, or parts of it have. As the fungus eats its way through the wood, the stability of the entire tree will be compromised.

6. Branches Overhanging Your Home

Unlike the other signs on this list, which all have to do with the health of your tree, you should pay attention to branches that overhang your roof. These branches are at particular risk of breaking off in a storm, damaging your roof and home.

Further, having the tree or the branches that overhang your roof removed entirely can help you reduce the amount of maintenance you have to do on your roof and gutter systems. Branches can allow animals to gain access to your roof and attic. They can also drop debris on your roof and in your gutters, causing clogs and making water damage and leaks in your home more likely.

7. Root Damage 

Finally, the last thing that you should look out for that can indicate that you need to remove a tree in your yard is if you experience root damage inside your home.

Roots can break into your sewer main, which can lead to plumbing clogs throughout your entire home. In some cases, this can lead to plumbing leaks inside your home and underneath your yard.

Further, you may find that the walls of your basement are caving inwards because of roots growing into them. They can also damage patios, decks, and walkways, creating an uneven surface that is a tripping hazard.

Removing the tree and all of its roots is the only way to be sure that additional damage doesn’t occur. Even just cutting down the tree is not enough – the roots can go on living and growing into your property.

Tree Removal is Sometimes Unavoidable

With proper pruning and trimming, you can prevent trees from growing too large or too close to your home. However, sometimes it is simply out of your control, and you need to talk to a tree removal specialist to protect your home and yard.

For more information about maintaining your home and landscape, check out the Home & Garden section of our blog.