Dead Tree Dangers: What Homeowners Need to Know About Dead Trees on Their Property

The National Storm Damage Center reports that falling trees cause over $1 billion every year in damages. Dead trees, in particular, can be hazards both during and after storms, as their weakened structures can be prone to breaking. If you have a dead tree on your property, here is why you shouldn’t wait to call a tree removal service company.

1. Dead Trees Can Cause Injuries

Because dead trees are no longer being supplied with moisture and nutrients, their wood can become brittle and prone to snapping at a moment’s notice. Injuries can be caused when branches unexpectedly snap or when the tree falls due to a storm. If you have a dead tree on your property and a passerby is injured by a falling branch, you could end up being responsible for paying for the medical bills of the injured party. To prevent this, take action as soon as you notice a tree starting to die, but never attempt to remove a tree yourself. Tree removal companies have the best equipment for the job, as well as the know-how to prevent damage while getting the job done.

2. Dead Trees Can Damage Power lines

Dead trees can also damage power lines when either a branch falls or the tree itself falls. This can result in a power outage for you and your neighborhood, something that could potentially put people at risk. For instance, if you have neighbors that depend on electronically powered medical devices, they could be put in danger due to the resulting outrage. Having a tree near power lines is another reason to not attempt removal yourself, as you could risk damaging them or harming yourself. Tree removal services are trained to understand how to work around power lines, and are the best equipped to stay safe during a removal.

3. Dead Trees Can Cause Expensive Property Damage

If the dead tree is close enough to your home, you could also risk having it damage your home, especially during a storm. This can potentially be catastrophic and it could cause injury or even death to someone inside. Even if someone isn’t harmed during the fall, it could cost thousands, if not hundreds of thousands to repair the damage. If the tree falls onto a neighbors property or home, the same problem is true, as you will most likely be responsible for paying for their damages.

Looking at the Signs

You must call a tree removal services at the first sign of a tree dying so that it can be safely removed. The longer you wait the more significant the risk of damage or injury becomes. To help make identifying problematic and dying trees easier, here is what you should look for.

• Check for dead branches and note if they are still connected to the tree. In some cases, top branches can break off and fall, becoming stuck until a strong wind blows them down. This can pose a serious risk to anyone below the tree, and any such branches should be removed as soon as possible.
• You should also look for any cracks in the tree’s trunk, cracking, visible decay, and cankers can all be signs that the tree is dying.
• Trees that are leaning strongly to one side should also be removed, even if they aren’t on their way out. Even healthy trees like this can break or be uprooted during particularly strong storms, and the likelihood of this increases significantly if the tree is dying or dead.

If you have any dead trees on your property, don’t wait until it’s too late to act. Contact JL Tree Service today for a free estimate. The sooner a tree removal service removes your dead tree, the sooner you can stop worrying every time the wind picks up or a storm rolls through. After all, tree removal is much less costly than repairing damage from a tree that’s fallen into your home or car.