Recognizing Tree Hazards

Trees provide great benefits to our property and communities. However trees can become liabilities if they fall and can potentially injure people or property. Proper tree care can make a property safer and help extend the life of the tree.

Even though trees are an important part of our environment they can become dangerous or hazardous. Whole trees and limbs may fall potentially causing injury to people or property damage. It is the responsibility of home owners to provide for the safety of trees on his or her property. Regular tree care will help identify possible tree hazards.

There are a number of things to look for when identifying tree hazards such as:

• Large dead branches
• Detached hanging branches
• Cavities in the trunk or in major branches
• Cracks or splits
• Strong lean on trunk
• Have roots been damaged or broken during construction?
• Has the site been recently changed by construction, raising the soil level, or installing lawns?

Some common signs of possible hazards or defects in urban trees are:

• Regrowth form topping or line clearance
• Electrical lines adjacent to the tree
• Broken branches
• Open cavities
• Dead or dying branches
• Many branches arising from a single point
• Decay and rot in old wounds
• Construction or recent changes in grades

Some common signs of possible hazards or defects in rural trees are:

• Recent site construction, grading, clearing of forests for development
• Previous tree failure in area
• Leaning tree near a target
• Forked trunk, large stems of equal size
• Wet areas with shallow soil.

A few steps can be taken to reduce tree hazards such as:

• Remove the target: targets such as picnic tables and cars can be moved.
• Prune the tree: strategically remove defective branches
• Cable & brace the tree: tree support systems can be added to increase support & stability
• Provide regular maintenance: water, prune, fertilize and mulch as needed.
• Remove the tree: trees get to a point when they become too hazardous and little can be done to decrease hazards. These trees should be removed.

Recognizing and reducing tree hazards will increase the safety of your property and community and allow you to enjoy your trees for years to come.

We hope you enjoyed this tree care article. Click here for more articles from Arbor Plant Health Care.