Trees featuring dense, green canopies enhance your home's curb appeal and provide shade in outdoor living spaces. However, if they experience significant damage or develop a disease, you may need to have a tree service remove them. Below are several indications that you should cut down problem trees to promote the health and safety of your property.

When Should a Tree Service Cut Down a Tree?

1. Rot Diseases 

Tree roots that remain moist due to over-watering or excessive rainfall may attract fungi, which reproduce in damp environments. Armillaria is a common fungus that grows on roots and causes them to decay, resulting in root rot. The infection may spread to the trunk and canopy, resulting in a condition known as heart rot. When these diseases affect a tree, you might notice mushroom growth on the trunk, as well as dying branches and crown dieback. Rot diseases compromise the structural integrity of the tree, making it more vulnerable to falling after a strong storm. Additionally, these illnesses are contagious and may spread to nearby trees and plants.

2. Significant Damage

A tree may lose several branches due to strong winds. The canopy may also experience damage when fungal diseases cause major limbs to die and fall off the tree. If a tree loses over 50% of its canopy, it has a low chance of recovering. As it gradually declines, it may become weak and brittle, making it more likely to fall, potentially hitting your home or vehicle. Removing this plant before it falls is the best way to prevent accidents and injuries. 

3. Growth Into Utility Lines

As trees planted near utility poles and electrical lines mature, their branches may contact the posts or tangle in the wires. If any limbs fall, they may pull electrical wires down, throwing sparks and cutting off service for the neighborhood. These trees can also conduct electricity, potentially electrocuting someone who touches them.

4. Unnatural Leaning

Trees may lean slightly in a certain direction to absorb more sunlight. While this is natural and doesn't usually cause problems, trees may lean more significantly if a vehicle strikes the trunk or the base becomes partially uprooted during a storm. Trees that lean more than 15% from vertical often have a higher chance of falling, so an emergency tree service should remove them to prevent hazards.

If you need to remove a tree on your property, contact Hurricane Tree Service in Lincoln, NE. These licensed and experienced arborists provide professional tree services, including removal, stump grinding, and emergency care. Call (402) 580-7303 to schedule an appointment, and visit the website for more information about how they can keep your outdoor areas healthy, safe, and gorgeous.