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Is My Tree Dangerous? Part 1

Is my tree dangerous?

When should a dangerous tree should be removed or pruned? How can you tell if a tree is a hazard?

Many of the scenarios where people think a tree is dangerous aren’t actually a risk. On the other hand, some of the instances where trees do pose a hazard are hard for the average person to identify.

This is part one of our series discussing whether trees are dangerous or not. In this part, we’ll discuss how to assess a tree, tree height, dead branches and trunk damage. Part two and three will deal with other common tree concerns and hazards.

How to Assess a Tree

Luckily, you probably already have some of the skills needed to get an early idea of whether you have a dangerous tree. Many of the signs of an unhealthy tree are easy to spot. Broken branches, discoloured leaves, no leaves are just a few of the early warning signs of a tree in less than perfect health.

Tall Tree Hazards

A frequent concern that we hear about is that a tree is “too tall” or “too large”. Height in itself isn’t a concern if a tree is healthy and in good shape. Trees that have been growing in the same place for a long time are used to the conditions they are growing in and adapt to them. Height doesn’t make a tree inherently dangerous.

With trees like this, keep watch for changes in their condition, especially after storms or construction. After a storm, it is a good idea to check on all trees on your property but particularly large or mature trees.

Trees can become a nuisance when planted too close to a building as the taller a tree grows, the further from a building it needs to be planted. This doesn’t make your tree dangerous or a hazard, but it may still be a good candidate for removal or pruning.

Tree Risks and Hazards

Hazard from Dead Branches

Trees shed branches naturally, but an excess of dead branches or very large dead branches can pose a hazard. Dead branches can be both a sign of poor health and a risk on their own. They are at high risk of falling at any time, especially during storms.

dangerous tree rot

Not only are dead branches dangerous on their own, they are often a sign a tree is in poor condition. Disease, infestation, and nutrient deficiency can all cause branches to die off. Dead branches may be the first sign that your tree is dying and needs to be removed for safety.

If the dead branches are naturally occurring they can be safely pruned. If they are caused by damage or a health problem, you’ll want to investigate treatment options as soon as possible.

Broken Branches can be Dangerous

Broken branches are also a big risk for falling. Tree branches break for a variety of reasons, but usually due to overgrowth or storm damage. When tree branches are too long with a lot of leaves at the end, they can fail. Trees like Norway Maples and Siberian Elms are very prone to branch failure.

A storm or strong winds can easily cause these branches to break off. They may also simply break off in time, falling on your property or anyone underneath. While branches may look small in the sky, they are much larger and much heavier than you may think. Even a ten pound branch falling can cause serious injury or death.

Other types of branch damage include splits, cracks, holes and discolouration. Any of these tree defects can become worse over time and may pose a hazard. A certified arborist at a professional tree company can explain any tree risks or hazards.

Trunk Damage

Tree with trunk damage

A large hollow in a tree’s trunk, cuts, wounds, and other damage to the trunk can be very harmful to a tree. Deep cracks in the bark expose the interior of the tree, leaving it vulnerable to pests, infection and damage. Very large hollows or pockets of rot can affect the entire health of the tree. Fruiting bodies or mushrooms also indicate deep pockets of rot.

When a tree has significant basal rot it may have compromised health or structural integrity. You may see other signs of problems like yellowing leaves, lots of twigs and branches dying, or cracks form. Trunk damage can also occur after a storm.

What should I do if my tree has problems?

If your tree has any of the hazards discussed above, contact us to get a free quote. We’ll be happy to assess your tree’s health for free and let you know if your tree is dangerous. Vista tree provides tree pruning, tree removal, hedge trimming, arborist reports and other tree services in the City of Toronto.

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Cheryl Cooke
09/05/2023
James responded quickly to my request for a quote and he and his crew did an extremely professional job with perfect cleanup. I would recommend these guys in a heartbeat. James is an excellent communicator and a pleasure to work with. Thanks for giving my garden a great jump on Spring.
Lawrence Tavers
17/04/2023
James and Michael have been the best arborists I’ve ever dealt with. First off, they were friendly and professional. They didn’t just throw out a number, they went through the job and what needed to be done and what didn’t and gave me a reasonable price. On the day, the crew came and did a fantastic job. It was a hard one but they made it look easy. And the clean up was perfect, my yard looked better than it did before they came. They’re my go to from now on.
Johnathan Melnick
15/04/2023
I got two trees removed for a renovation project, and vista was on it right from the start. Report came through right away, permits right after but then due to some cost over runs I had to delay for 4 months and hold off on the removals until last month. Trees came down so well, crew was really professional. They left the site looking CLEAN and thats saying a lot as it had a lot of builder garbage around .stump grinding happened right away. James and Mike went above and beyond to manage this and help me out when the unexpected happened. Definitely recommend.
Ronald Romick
13/04/2023
Very professional work. We are very satisfied with the quality of the work done. We would recommend Vista 100 percent. Great quality, performance and professional.
John Rydzkowski
04/04/2023
I had James and his crew cut down and remove my 40'+ blue spruce before the wind blew it over. There was an urgency in getting the work done and they were there for me. They were very professional, worked safely and cleaned up when they were finished. They also showed me proof of insurance and WSIB which is very important as a home owner. I'm happy to recommend them to anyone. Thanks 😊
Marlee Pinsker
28/03/2023
Vista Tree Management came to our house and did a wonderful job helping to protect the roof from squirrel damage. James walked around the perimeter of the house with me and pointed out every tree branch that might possibly be the instrument of a squirrel finding its way to the roof. He then set up a time, came over promptly, and in short time cut down many tree limbs and branches. He consulted with me about whether anything else needed to be done, and when I pointed out one last branch, he cut it down. I feel I have finally found a tree service which has the knowledge and expertise to help with my property. My husband and I are more than satisfied! The staff at Vista Tree Management were so very helpful.
Kristian Alexander Kennedy
15/02/2023
We had the pleasure of working with Vista recently and we could not have asked for better service. We have a small apple tree and hedge in our front yard that we wanted pruned. As part of the quote, we had also requested that some time be spent with us as the pruning occurred so that we could learn how to properly care for our garden going forward. James was prompt, responsive and incredibly thorough. He completed the tasks exactly as we had discussed and as was quoted. He was patient and spent lots of time teaching us the various pruning methods that he was utilizing. Not only does he have excellent attention to detail while pruning, but he also takes great care in cleaning up all the plant debris once he was finished the job. We can’t thank him enough for the excellent service provided. We will be sure to reach out to Vista for all of our future pruning/landscaping needs. Thanks James.
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