As beautiful as trees are, the larger and older they become the more of a hazard they can present both to our property and our safety. However, this doesn't necessarily mean that these risks are apparent.
Sadly, homeowners can't spot a hazard tree until it's too late or until severe weather conditions expose the tree to structural weakness.
The fact is if you own a tree you're legally responsible for the carnage ensued when a tree breaks or falls. As such, you need to heed on the side of caution to ensure that you prevent any dangerous situations occurring.
Let’s dig a little deeper...
Why Do Trees Fall?
A tree, or parts of a tree, can fall when they suffer from a structural defect. On the whole, you can prevent your tree from falling by inspecting your tree for various red flags.
This is essential to do after severe weather bursts, such as storms, frost, and snow, as this is likely to weaken the structural integrity of the tree.
These 'red flags' include:
The Health of the Tree
How can you tell whether a tree is healthy?
To assess the health of a tree, you need to look for the following factors:
- The color of foliage- does it seem right?
- Are there any dead looking branches?
- The density of the foliage, especially if there are any bare spots
- How does the tree look in comparison to other trees in the same species?
- Are there any noticeable cracks in the trunk?
- Does the tree boast numerous trunks?
- Are there mushrooms growing at the base of the tree?
- Is there cracked soil towards the base of the tree?
- Your tree is leaning. Many trees don’t grow completely straight, but a tree that bends suddenly indicates a problem.
If you can see dead-looking branches with a thin coverage of leaves (or oddly shaped leaves) or signs of fungus, then you should be aware there's a higher chance your tree's diseased, and therefore poses a more significant risk.
As you carry out your inspection, start from the crown of your tree and work your way down, past the trunk, all the way towards the roots.
Top Tip: Defects in the trunk are easier to spot. If you’re at all concerned about the condition of your tree, then you should call a certified arborist to confirm your suspicions.
The roots of the tree are the most critical part of a tree’s structure. However, root defects are far harder to detect if you have an untrained eye, and you may need to get some trained advise.
The Conditions Surrounding the Tree
The conditions around the tree’s root zone can sometimes increase the likelihood of a tree becoming a hazard.
Fun fact: Tree roots grow at least twice the height of the tree! However, not so fun is that this, unsurprisingly, means that when they’re damaged, they’re not in a position to be able to support the tree.
Therefore, if you plant a big tree too close to buildings, under power lines, or in a waterlogged area, there's a good chance the roots of the tree will weaken.
What About the Crown?
As the name may suggest, the crown of a tree is the top part of the tree, that features the branches that grow out of the main trunk. To survey the general health of the crown, you should look at two main indicators- the hardiness of the crown, and the form.
Some of the potential hazards that can affect the crown of a tree include:
Dieback
A common problem for trees is the gradual and progressive death of twigs or branches. If the dieback is advanced, the tree will die and should be removed. But don’t lose hope- trees can recover from dieback if the issue is spotted and treated in time.
V-Shaped Forks
V-shaped forks are typically weaker compared to broader angled forks and branches, but they are not necessarily an indication that the tree is unwell. These forks can be responsible for the dominant branches of the crown.
However, the strength of the V-shaped fork should be monitored for weakness, and be sure to look out for any cracks or sign of decay in the fork too.
Lopsidedness
The lopsidedness of the tree or branches should be noted and investigated as these can pose a potential risk to surroundings. In general, if a tree leans more than 15 degrees from its vertical position, then it should be removed.
Trees that have grown leaning from the onset are not necessarily a hazard, as they would be if the tree was originally straight and had prior gone lopsided. The reason for lopsidedness could include wind or root damage.
Stress
Trees feel stress, or rather, the response to stress. These stresses include insect defoliation, prolonged dry spells, soil degradation such as soil compaction, and root disease.
On top of this, trees have to deal with opportunistic pests, such as insects or fungi, or bacterial and viral infections.
Treatment and Prevention
Some would say that all trees pose a hazard and that the only way to eliminate a tree is to remove it. But is this really the way to go about it?
Trees are so crucial to the environment, and expert advice should be sought before making the decision to remove a tree.
In order to prevent unnecessary tree removal, carry out regular checks on your trees, and act quickly if you see anything that arouses suspicion. It could be that your tree simply needs treatment, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry!
If the tree poses a risk to its surroundings, it should be removed. Always seek a professional service for this, as removing a hazardous tree can cause further damage to neighboring trees or surrounding sites.
Prevention is better than cure, and correct placement of trees can help prevent future hazards from arising.
Do You Have a Hazard Tree?
Sometimes a tree has serious issues but shows minimal warning signs. A thorough analysis by a certified arborist can determine a tree’s hazard potential.
Remember – prevention is the best solution! A healthy and happy tree that is properly maintained is far less likely to become a hazard than one that is ignored.
If you’ve enjoyed reading this, concerned about a hazard tree, or would like some expert advice on your trees, we’d love to hear from you.