How can you tell if a tree is unsafe?

If you need Tree Services on Daniel Island SC, the symptoms of root damage can be seen in the crown of a tree, in the form of dead branches, as well as on leaves that are yellowish or golden and smaller than normal. These are signs that the roots are not providing the water and nutrients the tree needs. Dead wood in the top of a tree is a sign of danger. Well-pruned trees have open, balanced crowns that move with the wind and are more resistant to storm damage. Dead wood may indicate internal decay of the trunk or that the tree has walled up a large, diseased branch in response to its decay. Dead wood is not flexible; rather, it is brittle and can fall off at any time.

A large branch that has broken but is still hanging from the top of the tree is especially dangerous because it is not attached to anything and can fall without warning. Remember that, unless your tree has nothing within its range (its height, measured outwards from the base of the trunk and the extent of its branches), it is a hazard if it has dead wood that falls or if the tree falls. If you see missing, sunken, or damaged parts of bark on the branches or trunk of the tree, it's possible that it's a canker. Cancers are the result of diseases or wound tissue that didn't seal a decayed area.

Legal checks before felling a tree: Before ordering an old tree to be cut down, check if it's covered by a tree conservation order (TYPE). If so, you must first obtain permission from the local planning authority. If it's dangerous, the usual six weeks' notice may be reduced to five days. An evaluation by a tree surgeon will help to obtain permission.

Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it is necessary to check for bat shelters and the nest of any wild bird while it is in use or under construction. If possible, avoid working when they are nesting or report them to the tree surgeon before working. Deep cracks or lack of bark in the tree trunk: spots where bark is missing on the trunk, known as cankers, are a sign that the tree is dying. The best time to observe the growth of V-shaped branches on deciduous trees is in late fall or during winter, when the leaves of the deciduous trees have fallen off.

If you notice any of the potential tree problems listed above, it's best to call a certified arborist to evaluate your trees. Certified arborists also only do the work that is necessary and will never offer to “cut” your trees or do any work that is harmful to tree health. Urban trees are subject to poor environmental conditions and to pruning damage that forest trees do not suffer, so their lifespan may be shortened due to them. An uneven crown means that the weight is distributed unevenly and the tree may not be able to support itself.

It provides certified arborists with a systematic and standardized process for evaluating tree risk and determining whether or not a dangerous tree represents a unacceptable risk. Tree roots are weak and rotten; this is obviously harder to detect, but it's a reliable way to tell if the tree is rotting inside. Dangerous trees don't necessarily need to be removed, but it's necessary for a trained arborist to decide what the best course of action is to deal with these dangerous trees. Poor quality or harmful work done by inexperienced tree trimmers can also compromise the safety of the tree.

This dangerous tree, which was removed by Riverbend Landscapes & Tree Service, had a hollow interior (it is necessary for a trained arborist to know if a hollow tree is dangerous or not; not all they are).