Who doesn't love the sight of a big, beautiful tree? Trees are a symbol of strength and stability, with a special elegance about them. But how much do you love that big, beautiful tree when its crashing into your living room?
A tree's strength comes mostly from its roots which act as an anchor, but the trunk and branches work together to create stability. A healthy tree can withstand significant loads from high winds, heavy snow, ice and rain as well as from human pressures. An unhealthy tree is very dangerous. Death is inevitable in all life, including the life of a tree. As a tree declines in health, the stability and strength of that tree declines as well. A fully mature tree can stand on average 70-80 ft high, expand over 50ft at full canopy, and weigh tens of thousands of pounds. Even just a branch off of a large tree will cause significant damage if it comes plummeting uncontrolled to the ground (or through your living room ceiling).
A “danger” tree refers to any tree which poses a threat to surrounding structures, other trees or people. Many insurance companies consider anything within 15 feet of your home a “danger”, and will not insure damage caused by a tree left within that safety buffer zone. Trusting your insurance company to protect you in an emergency can be nerve-racking on the best of days, and fighting about how a tree fell through your roof can be a dangerous game of "he said/she said". The best way to prevent damage via a danger tree is to identify it early enough that the danger can be removed before it requires an insurance claim. There are many ways to identify a danger tree.
But, how do arborists assess the danger of a tree?
Dead or Damaged Trees
Visible cracks or cavities reduce the structural integrity of the tree. These create a weak point which will in time result in falling branches. Lack of leaves is also a good sign a tree is dying. Leaves are critical to a tree for conversion of sunlight to food. No leaves equals no food, which equals a starving, weak, dying tree. Bark falling off the outside of the tree is also a good sign of the beginning of tree death. It signifies that, on a cellular level, the tree has weak structural bonds, increasing the risk of falling branches, or worse.
Fungus Growth
It is becoming increasingly known that fungi interaction with roots and soil is critical to healthy trees. However, fruiting bodies or mushrooms growing on the bark or branches of a tree indicate infestation of the tree’s tissues. Fungal infestations damage the internal tissues of the tree which lead to lack of circulation of water and nutrients, eventually killing the tree.
Top Heavy or Leaning Branches
Trees grow in the direction of sunlight and resources. Ideally, a tree will grow well balanced. However, very often, an immature tree will have to reach for sunlight, causing it to grow out of balance. This increases the risk that in time the will tree will fall, as its health declines.
Newly Exposed Roots or Heaving Soil
The roots anchor the tree and provide most of the tree’s structural integrity. Changes to the root system have significant impacts on the stability of the tree. Heaving soil or exposed roots are good signs that the root system has been compromised and that the tree is no longer as strong as it should be.
Woodpecker or Insect Holes
Last but not least, woodpecker and insect holes are indicative of a pest infestation. Woodpeckers are attracted to insects, and insects are attracted to dead trees. And, as we have discussed, dead trees are dangerous and eventually fall, causing damage.
For the sake of your property, surrounding trees and your beloved home, keep an eye out for the signs your tree is becoming a danger, before it is too late! (And be sure to check the fine print in your insurance policy!!)
Comments