It’s best to have a professional assess your trees on a regular basis. They can also maintain them so that they continue to thrive rather than getting more and more dangerous. A trained professional can spot the warning signs of cracking and splitting, for trellising.
It can be just as difficult to spot dead limbs as it is to spot damaged ones. In some cases, it can be more difficult because there is no obvious sign of damage. Rather, rotted tree limbs can remain in the canopy for months or even years before falling without warning.
Worst of all, dead limbs that are pruned can end up affecting the surrounding tree tissue. In the situation, one or two dead limbs can turn into many, all with the potential to fall on someone who is not careful.
The best tree care inspections will involve binoculars. This is a simple tool that can allow for a more thorough inspection of the tree and its limbs.Leaning Trees
While the Leaning Tower of Pisa may be a great tourist attraction, leaning trees in your yard can end up being a recipe for disaster. Unlike damaged and dead branches, it is hard not to notice a tree that leans.
It is best to call a professional as soon as you notice the issue. Be prepared to answer as many questions about the tree as you can. For instance, the professional will want to know how long the tree has been leaning that way.
They may also ask you if the leaning tree has been getting worse with time or if it has always been like that. Any information you can give will go a long way toward producing an effective solution to the problem.
The direction of the lean will also play a huge factor. For instance, if it is leaning over your home, where you park your car, or where children often play, then the situation is quite serious. If it is leaning back into the forest proper, for example, then it is not as much of an emergency.
In fact, some trees are known to have a lean that is natural. These situations do not normally require a fix.
If the professional determines that there is the risk of someone getting harmed, then it may be necessary to cut down the tree and dispose of it. Is the tree important to you and the value of your property? If so, professionals might be able to save the tree by using tools that can straighten its growth and reinforce it over time.
Sometimes this process involves putting a stake in the ground and tying it to the leaning tree so that there is an opposing force.Trees With an Unsure Structure
Put in the simplest terms, not all trees grow as they should. For example, a tree can grow into a “V” after developing ingrown bark. Normal trees of this type should grow into a “U” shape.
Are you wondering why the “V” shape is concerning? This kind of structure is much more susceptible to splitting down the middle, often causing the tree to fall both ways and damaging whatever is in its path. Therefore, pruning your trees, the right way is so crucial.
If you prune your trees but do not do it in a way that encourages a “U” shape, then ingrown bark can still develop. Aside from the risk of splitting, the “V” tree shape can also lead to weaker areas, as well as decay.
In addition to inspecting for ingrown bark, a dependable professional should also take the time to note areas of flaking or discoloured bark. These can often be symptoms of tree diseases, including those associated with fungal infections.
It may be the case that a tree’s structure is suitable for a forest. Once the trees surrounding it are chopped down due to construction activity, this can pose problems. Trees within a forest tend to be weaker because they allow their neighbours on the outskirts to shield them from the wind and other elements.
This kind of new exposure can cause the weaker tree to collapse more easily. If any of your trees have come from a razed forest, then they should be assessed by a professional. Worst case scenario, they will need to be cut down before they hurt someone or damage your property.