Dead trees or “snags” can pose a significant danger to life and property. If you are fortunate enough to own forested land, maintaining the health and integrity of your forest is essential.
Being able to identify when to cut down a tree is a crucial forestry skill that all landowners should know. Cutting down a tree is not an easy task. Learning how to cut down a tree safely takes years of practice.
This handy guide will equip you with the basic knowledge it takes to make important tree removal decisions on your property.
Signs of Poor Tree Integrity
The structural integrity of your tree should be the main thing you factor into your decision-making process about removing said tree. If there are dead branches or “widowmakers” in your tree, its integrity may be compromised.
Dead-tops are another sure sign that your tree is unhealthy. If the top of your tree is dead, the rest of it soon will be as well. If your tree develops a strong lean or sways in the wind significantly it may be on its way out as well.
Fungus and rot in and around your tree is also a tell-tale sign that it will soon be dead. Rotten wood is spongey and loses a significant amount of its strength. If your entire tree is rotten it may soon fall over.
If you see mushrooms or moss growing all over your tree, it is, or soon will be, dead. If there are lines, grooves, or holes in your tree it may be the result of a bark beetle infestation.
Check under the bark for these signs and the beetles themselves. While checking, cut a single deep cut below the tree’s cambium layer. If the cut fills up with sap fast, it is still alive. Long dead trees have no sap.
Also, make sure to check out the tree’s foliage. If it is a coniferous tree with brown or scarce needles it may be dead. If it is a deciduous tree without leaves during the spring or summer months it may be dead as well.
Read Also:
When to Cut Down a Tree
If your tree is dead, you should cut it down. The only circumstance that is an exception is if it has become a wildlife habitat for an endangered or protected species.
Barring this one circumstance, dead trees are hazards that need to be removed from your property immediately.
Unless you are a professional faller with years of tree felling experience, the best way to cut down a tree is to call someone who can do it for you. Call a professional tree removal service rather than going under the tree yourself.
To do anything otherwise is foolish and can be deadly. Let the professionals handle your tree removal needs unless you have a significant amount of chainsaw and tree felling experience.
Keep Your Lands Safe
Falling snags kill people in the woods every year. Don’t let a dead tree on your property victimize you or your family. Knowing when to cut down a tree will keep you safe on your land.
Call a professional tree removal service today to take care of all your dead tree abatement needs. For all your other news and information make sure to check out the rest of our page!
