Trees, beyond just their aesthetic value to us, provide us with many of the most crucial components to life. Their value can actually be difficult to fully measure, due to the amount of benefits they afford us. Some of these benefits are obvious, like oxygen, carbon capture and shade. Others are less easily identified but no less important, like housing for wildlife. Trees ideal for this purpose often take centuries to grow. If you are in doubt about the value of trees, you only have to look at the burgeoning industry of the ultra-rich sourcing old trees and having them moved to their properties, sometimes paying hundreds of thousands of dollars, to realise that trees are a seriously valuable commodity. For these reasons, we hate to cut them down. However, there are times when the removal of a tree is called for and waiting too long can create all kinds of risks and associated costs. Emergency tree work will cost you substantially more than just removing a tree under normal circumstances so it is highly recommended that if you notice any of the following occurring with the trees on your property that you act upon it immediately:
Branches are dropping regularly
If you are finding that a tree on your property is prone to dropping branches regularly then there is a high chance that there is a problem with the health of the tree. Frequent loss of branches typically signals an internal weakness. This could be related to the drying out of a tree after excess humidity, with the excess moisture resulting in a weakening of the tree's overall structure. In these situations, all it takes is a significant external force, like a storm or high winds and you can end up with a real problem on your hands. As well as creating excessive maintenance through the regular removal of these branches, it also poses a safety risk to people and possessions in the vicinity. Rather than waiting for a situation where you need emergency tree work it’s best to get the jump on it and call in the experts for guidance on whether the tree needs to be removed.
The tree appears to have rot or decay
Diseased trees pose one of the biggest risks to your property. This risk extends way beyond just the threat of it collapsing and damaging infrastructure or hurting someone. Trees that are diseased or decaying are virtually irresistible to pests, with termites and carpenter ants absolutely loving to feast on rotten timber. This may not be so bad if they remained in the diseased trees but these pests will spread, threatening the health of other trees and even the foundations of your home. If you spot any disease or decay in your trees then act early by calling an arborist to avoid the need for emergency tree work.
Poor placement
People often underestimate trees' potential. As a result they can become a headache to manage if placed in the wrong location. Trees need plenty of free space to grow and thrive. If they are not receiving enough light then they will grow in such a way to seek it out. If this is close to your home then you are placing your home and the people in it at risk. Optimally, you wouldn’t put a tree in the wrong location but if it has been poorly placed then the best thing you can do is remove it before you find yourself needing to call for emergency tree work.
Of course, disasters strike. Sometimes a tree can be perfectly healthy and well placed and external forces just prove too much and it can be brought down. In these instances it is fantastic to have the option of emergency tree work. However, wherever possible, try and spot the risk ahead of time. For further information regarding the cost of tree removal and why prevention is better than cure, check out the following article https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/lawn-care/tree-removal-cost/ which provides detailed figures on the associated costs of tree removal and the factors influencing price variation.