|
Home Wood Chips Related Links Webrings Awards |
Potential Problems
Most homeowners are reluctant to remove trees and branches that are dead. But all dead wood should be removed, and done so immediately. It is not a question of if, but when, dead trees and limbs will fail. Dead wood is dry and brittle -- it will not bend in the wind like living trees and branches. It is unpredictable, and can even give way on bright, sunny days with no wind. In addition, dead branches that have already broken off and are hung up in the tops of trees are especially dangerous. They are called "widow makers," for obvious reasons.
Take corrective action* if the dead wood ...
|
Extensive Cracking
All trees have cracks, but they only become dangerous if they extend deeply into the wood of the tree. These splits indicate the tree may be decaying inside. The crack may be coverering up more dangerous problems. Cracks occur for a number of reasons, some of which are associated with nature -- such as a lightning strike.
Take corrective action* if a crack ...
|
Serious Decay
The presence of decay does not necessarily mean a tree has problems. All trees probably have some decay that results from wounding, but they have a remarkable ability to form compartments that restrict decay to a local area. However, serious decay can occur and usually forms from the inside out, eventually forming a cavity inside the tree even as solid wood continues to be added to the outside. Trees can remain healthy if the decay is not extensive. However, decay can become advanced. Evidence of this is a soft area, a cavity, or fungus such as mushrooms or conks growing on the roots, stems, or branches. Even with these indicators, it is often best to let a trained specialist determine if the extent of decay will cause the tree to become a hazard.
Take corrective action* if the decay ...
|
Tree-stem Cankers
A canker is a defect that occurs on the tree's main stem. It does not affect the whole stem, but a local area that appears as either sunken or missing. Cankers usually result when something heavy has banged against the tree stem, such as a vehicle or another tree falling against the stem. There is a very good chance the tree will break near the canker duing or a storm since the internal strenth of the tree is compromised at that point.
Take corrective action* if the canker ...
|
Weak Branch Unions
The union of two branches that occur on the main stem of the tree may actually force the branches apart. This usually occurs in trees with upswept branches, rather than in trees whose branches come out at more of a right angle. Trees with a tendancy to form weak branch unions include elm and maple.
Take corrective action* if the branch union ...
|
Root Problems
Root problems result from a variety of human activities -- such as paving over roots, severing them, raising or lowering the soil level beneath the tree, and parking or driving over the roots. In general, the amount of roots is roughly equal to the amount of branches. So reducing the ability of trees to anchor or supply nutrients to their upper mass can cause the trees to not only blow over during storms, but to even fall suddenly when burdened with the weight of summer leaves. Some indications of root problems are soil mounding (the roots are beginning to let go), twig dieback, dead wood in the crown, and off-color or smaller than normal leaves (not enough roots to supply nutrients).
Take corrective action* if ...
|
Poor Tree Form
Sometimes trees just look bad. But not all of these pose a hazard, and most are even interesting to look at. Never remove a tree simply because it looks odd (the tree in the picture is an example of a tree that may look bad to some, but is actually a specimen of the oldest living organism in the United States). However, trees with poor form may be structurally unsound and should be examined. Poor tree form can arise from years of misuse (improper pruning and topping), damage from storms, or unusual growing conditions (it may have been shaded by another tree for years). Some trees lean perceptively, and most lean a little. But not all leaning trees need to be removed, particularly if their root system is intact. Therefore it is often best to let a trained specialist determine if a tree of poor form has become a hazard.
Take corrective action* if ...
|
*Corrective Actions
Move the target: Some objects such as a picnic tables or vehicles can be easily moved. Others are expensive to do so, and some, such as homes, are impossible to move.
Prune the tree: If only a branch is affected and is the cause of a hazard, pruning offers the best solution. Care must be taken in pruning, though. If done improperly, the problem solved may later be replaced by another, more serious problem. The best option is to contact a tree specialist, but anyone can learn the proper methods.
Remove the tree: This should only be done as a final option. The removal of any living tree should be cause for careful consideration. After weighing all the possibilites, contact a tree specialist -- tree removal is an extremely hazardous undertaking and should never be attempted by the inexperienced.
One final thought -- taking care of trees is a sacred trust, perhaps best summed up by John Muir ...
It has been said that trees are imperfect men, and seem to bemoan their imprisonment rooted in the ground. But they never seem so to me. I never saw a discontented tree. They grip the ground as though they liked it, and though fast rooted they travel about as far as we do. They go wandering forth in all directions with every wind, going and coming like ourselves, traveling with us around the sun one million miles a day, and through space heaven knows how fast and far!
Source: U.S. Department of Agricuture, Forest Service, "How to Recognize Hazardous Defects in Trees."
