Warning Signs It’s Time to Cut Down a Tree
You observe your tree from your window, it doesn’t appear to be doing well. Here are a few Warning Signs It’s Time to Cut Down a Tree. Although some of these signs in combination may mean it’s time to remove the tree, it is always best to consult an ISA Arborist for professional advice.
1. Fungus
If you see fungus-like mushrooms growing at the bottom of your tree, your tree may be slowly dying. Moss is not a problem; many healthy trees may be covered with moss. However, if you begin to see rapid growth of fungus on the trunk or along the paths of the roots, your tree is probably struggling to stay alive.
2. Root Rot
Root rot can also be a major problem. You can tell if your tree’s roots are rotting because holes and dips will appear on your lawn. More mushrooms will grow over the dead roots as they decompose for fuel. Although you can’t see the rotting roots, rotten roots can create major issues for you in a very short time. As you know, roots help keep a tree upright and aid in keeping the tree stable. When they die and disintegrate, your tree could fall over at almost any time.
3. Stress
If your tree is stressed it may begin to send out shoots from its base or other low parts of the tree. These shoots may indicate that your tree is trying everything it can to survive. When the upper branches die, new growth may be a desperate effort to start anew.
3. A Dying Trunk
Looking at your tree trunk can tell you a lot about your tree’s overall health in many cases. If the bark is falling off the trunk, or if the trunk itself is cracked, or sounds hollow when you knock on it, your tree may be dying rapidly. The trunk of a tree is crucial to its support and its health. A weak trunk can lead to quick and sudden collapse, which is something you certainly don’t want.
4. Leaves
When a tree is struggling to stay alive, leaves can say a lot. Trees that are unhealthy may have far fewer leaves than other trees that are nearby, and the leaves that do grow may be an entirely different shade than normal. When autumn comes, if the tree does not shed dead leaves, that can be another sign that the tree is sick
5. Loss of Branches
When a tree starts to lose large branches, this is another sign that it is having a hard time. By dropping large, dead parts, it is trying to redirect energy to the parts that are still healthy. This can be very dangerous and can cause property damage to your vehicles and your home. However, the loss of large branches doesn’t always mean your tree is unhealthy, this can also happen to completely healthy trees.
Contact Johnson Ops Tree Care at 608 526-6297 for a Consultation on your tree’s health.
