Hazardous Tree Removal near me

Last Updated: 15 December 2020

Trees in suburbia all eventually become old and hazardous at some point. Healthy trees can also become a hazard quickly due to storm damage or a sudden change in root footings. A hazardous tree is any tree that poses an immediate danger to persons or property.

We take a look at how to assess if your tree needs emergency removal, how much a hazardous tree costs to remove and if you need a permit.

Trees with internal rot in their trunk will eventually become a hazard. There are some tell tail signs that a tree has internal rot. Bracket fungi on grows on dead timber, so if you see bracket fungi growing on your tree trunk, (see image below) you will need to get it inspected by an arborist. The further down the trunk it is, the bigger the problem you have.

Trees can quickly become dangerous after extended period of heavy rain and wind. Rain softens the ground and wind can shift a tree so it develops a lean. When this happens, the tree in time could fall over.

Trees are great at reacting to a lean and send out more stability roots to counter the lean, but this takes time. More wind or rain in the meantime could send the tree toppling over.

Sometimes, a perfectly healthy tree can be considered hazardous if it’s too big and growing in a dangerous location such as next to a house, below a powerline, or next to a road. Such trees are usually trimmed or removed if they are deemed dangerous or if they block sunlight, powerlines, or other installations.  Removing or significantly trimming a large tree is also part of the ways you can prepare your home for a storm or hurricane season.

Other signs that a tree is a potential hazard include:

• Sparse or unbalanced canopy
• Cracked trunks
• The tree has more than one trunk- divided trunks are more likely to rip or crack in rough weather.
• Mushrooms at the base of the tree. Etc.

A tree can become dangerous or hazardous because of its health, structure, height, and its nature. An unhealthy tree with a rotten or dry trunk, weak branches, and a pest-infested canopy is a hazard because it can easily fall or lean over and block pathways or roads. If the tree is too tall and growing next to a building or powerline, then it becomes a hazard and may need to be cut or trimmed.  Trees that are hazardous by nature- e.g. those with invasive roots or large fruits- are also considered hazardous or dangerous.

Some of the things that cause a tree to become a hazard can be managed or prevented. Regular trimming can help keep a tree’s height safe and also balance its canopy. Regular pruning can help get rid of hazardous dead or diseased branches and therefore make the tree safe. This is why homeowners should ensure that their trees are properly and regularly maintained as advised by a qualified arborist near them.

There are numerous ways to tell if your tree is hazardous through observation even before you have an arborist inspect it.

1. Developed a sudden lean – This can happen after log periods of rain and wind. The ground softens and the tree becomes unstable beginning to lean to one side.
2. White ant activity – You never want white ants near your home, but having them in your tree can always be a problem for the trees’ stability. They will eat all the internal hardwood leaving only the outer living tissue. This can make the tree unstable and a hazard.
3. Signs of rot – Look for bracket fungi on the trunk for signs of internal rot.
4. Lifted root ball – After a storm and strong winds you might notice the root ball of a tree lifting. This is a sign the tree is unstable and needs to go.