Is My Tree Safe?
If you are reading this it is probably because you have a questionable tree on your property and you would like to glean some information before starting the process of contacting tree service companies. Kudos to you for trying to do some homework!
So is your tree safe?
The short answer will not be comprehensive enough and the long answer will leave you with more questions than answers!
Let's go through a questionnaire that might help you establish some preliminary facts.
Could the tree in question reach an object of value if it fell from the base?
Could any other tree parts reach an object of value if they were to fall?
Does the tree lean, or have significant canopy leverage toward an object of value?
Are there any cracks along the tree?
Does the tree have a history of limb failure?
Is the tree dead?
Does the tree have any hollows, mushrooms, or large dead limbs?
Has there been any other tree failures in the immediate area?
Has the tree in question had a recent change in its environment? (disturbed soil, loss of neighboring tree, etc)
Does the tree in question keep you up at night, or in other words, does it make you uneasy?
Is the tree in question an “edge” tree- does it have open space on one side and other trees on the other.
Are there irregularities in the bark, or evidence of past damage that have been covered by new growth?
Is there any evidence up uprooting, such as mounding or springy soil that has recently changed?
To be considered hazardous, a tree must be within reach of an object of value or have an established level of occupancy or frequency. In other words, a tree in the woods will not damage anything so it is “safe” regardless of its condition. Any tree that is within striking distance of your home, shed, cars, etc will pose some level of risk. The tricky part is figuring out the level of risk.
The exact amount of risk cannot be numerically assigned, and it is important to remember that we are dealing with probabilities, not absolutes. For example, a heavily leaning tree will most likely fail in the direction of its lean, but not always so I personally avoid absolutes when talking about tree failure.
Safety is not just a measure of likelihood. We also need to consider the level of impact if there was a failure. A tree that is small and unlikely to cause significant impact could still be considered relatively safe.
A tree that is dead, leaning towards a home, and has decay at the base has a strong chance that it will fall in the near future. If it is likely to impact valuable property, then the level of risk is high.
Lean is one important factor, but it is not the only one. There are plenty of leaning trees that adapt and add strength to their wood as they grow towards available sunlight, this can be a reasonably safe tree. Some trees lean because they are on the edge. Edge trees tend to fail more frequently as they get more exposure to high winds and snow loads.
It's pretty easy to get lost in the weeds on this topic.
If you have a tree that is healthy but within striking distance of your home, it is ultimately up to you on what level of risk you are comfortable living with. There are plenty of things to consider, like, how long would it take to regrow a tree like that? How much value do you place on the tree and its benefits? And of course, does the tree have an enhanced level of risk?
The best thing to do is to consult with multiple arborists on the subject, but be weary of any company that quickly or strongly advises you to cut living trees down. Unfortunately, some companies value their income flow more than the trees and will use fear as a means to sell work.
And finally, keep in mind that this is just a blog post that is intended to give an overview of things to look for when addressing potentially hazardous trees and should not be used solely when considering a tree removal.
If you would like to have a conversation and inspection on one of your trees, please contact Big Rapids Affordable Tree Care for a free consultation.
