Many homeowners fret when it comes to the health of a tree on their property. They may certainly value its presence and what it does to augment the appearance of their home. However, if the tree is not in very good condition for one reason or another, they may realise it's time for removal. But how do you know when the time is right?

The Bigger Picture First

Firstly, look at the issue from a broader perspective. The tree can only be an important part of your life so long as it does not need a lot of money in order to maintain it, or is so weak that it poses a danger to you, your family or building. Other than that, there are four things that you need to consider:

Roots

Look at the overall health of the tree. While a professional is the ideal person to truly judge the tree's chance of recovery, you can get a good indication. First, look at the roots. Do they show any signs of damage or rotting, or appear to be closer to the surface than other nearby trees. This is an indication that the tree itself may not be strong enough to force its roots deep into the soil, where the nutrients are.

Trunk

Have a look at the trunk of the tree. Do you see a proliferation of cracks in the main trunk? Can you see whether any wood that's deep within the cracks is rotten? Also, can you see any significant, hollow areas within the trunk? All of these are bad signs.

Branches

If you have noticed a lot of branch failures in recent times, this is another indication of failing health. If you can also see evidence of cracks or rotting, especially in some of the larger branches, this is a significant warning sign. At least, your arborist should remove any large branches from the tree when there is damage over more than a quarter of the surface area.

Fungi

Sometimes, you may notice a proliferation of fungi, especially at the root level. This is an indication that a tree may be infested by one or more diseases. This is by itself not a death sentence as such, as a qualified arborist may be able to treat disinfection and see the tree.

Other Considerations

Fundamentally, it's going to come down to the overall health of the tree, compared to other factors. Consider if the species is quite rare, is interfering with regular traffic flow, is close to overhead lines, or is a risk of falling. For more information, contact Alstonville Tree Felling.