Dead Tree on Your Property? Here’s Why You Need to Act Fast

Imagine a tree in your yard that doesn’t look good and has fallen leaves; this is not a normal sign for a tree. This can cause dangerous situations, such as accidental falls that result in serious injuries and property damage, including home damage and injuries to family members from a falling tree.

Here, we discuss how dead trees are dangerous to you and the best time to remove them. Also, know why you should remove a dead tree immediately as a top priority. If you’re dealing with a dead or dying tree, Calgary Tree Works can help you assess and address it safely.

How to Know If your Tree is Actually Dead

The steps below will tell you about the difference between a dead tree and a stressed one. It is most important to know about a tree before taking a risk.

The Scratch Test

You can identify a dead tree in a number of ways, such as scraping a small section of the tree with a knife or fingernail. If it is green underneath, it is still alive; if it is brown or dry, it is a sign of a dead tree. Check several sections or branches of the tree to see if the entire tree is dead or just a specific section.

Missing bark

If you want to know whether your tree is dead, look for large areas of bark that peel off and fall easily when touched.

Lack of leaf growth

The tree has no leaves in mid-spring or summer, while other trees have full leaves, indicating your tree is likely dead.

Brittle Branches

Tree structural integrity can be guessed through its branches. If its branches don’t fall even with minimal wind, it is good; but if they do, it is dead or its structural integrity will be compromised. These are among the signs your tree needs professional attention.

Fungal Growth

You can check for decay in the tree by looking for fungi or mushrooms on its trunk. If they are found in the trunk, the tree is rotting from the inside out and is also unstable.

Leaning or Structural Changes

When soil is heavy and the tree leans to one side, it indicates a compromised root system and an alarming situation requiring immediate attention from a professional arborist.

The Dangers of Leaving a Dead Tree Standing

After identifying the tree’s condition, we will focus on the serious mistake: waiting for the tree to be removed.

Property Damage: Your Home is at Risk

The dead tree does not wait for a storm to fall; it will crash at any time without warning, resulting in significant loss as it damages your property. The mature tree is very heavy, weighing thousands of pounds. This is one of the main reasons trees suddenly fall over with no warning.

You can imagine that if a tree falls, it can destroy your vehicle and roof, which will cost you thousands of dollars to repair and it could be even worse if it falls on the neighborhood.

You won’t be able to claim the insurance if the insurance company finds you guilty of your negligence in taking care of the tree, so then you are responsible for all the damages caused by a dead tree, which could cost you a high amount of money.

Personal Safety: The Human Cost

When a dead tree falls, the property damage is not worse than an injury or death. People are seriously injured every year because of falling dead trees and negligence by tree owners. These situations are truly avoidable.

These are the worst situations because the tree can fall on a child playing in the yard, a family member relaxing on a patio, or a guest in the backyard, requiring severe medical treatment.

If you failed to remove the dead tree after someone was injured by it, then you will face severe consequences from legal claims resulting in judgments. If a storm has already caused damage, see our guide on what to do in the first 24 hours after a storm hits your yard.

Pest Infestations: Unwanted Guests

Decayed wood is ideal for ants, termites and other destructive insects, which will spread throughout the tree easily. In short, it is the magnet for pests.

You will face heavy loss from a dead tree on your property because carpenter ants easily migrate from a dead tree to your house structure and can cause serious damage. In the United States, termites cause $5 billion in property damage annually, according to the EPA.

Dead trees are ideal homes for rodents and also harbor disease-carrying mosquitoes in cavities that collect water. If you don’t take any action for a long time, removing it will be very costly.

Disease Spread to Healthy Trees

The main causes of tree death from disease are oak wilt and various fungal infections, which can spread to other healthy trees.

A dead tree is a reservoir of infection that can affect other healthy trees on your property. Saving a tree can add value to your property.

Decreased Property Value and Curb Appeal

If any property has dead trees and is maintained poorly, it is considered a problem for neighboring properties. Your neighbors won’t appreciate these types of negligence.

A dead tree will be a problem for selling your property because it will disturb the curb appeal of your property, which will diminish your property’s marketability. If you’re purchasing a property with trees already on it, see our guide on buying a home with mature trees.

Why Dead Trees Fail Without Warning

The tree will fall accidentally due to a failure in the water supply and the nutrients that block the flow through the cambium layer. which will not maintain the tree’s structural integrity.

The tree loses its structural strength due to decay in its trunk, caused by fungi, bacteria and insects that attack the cellulose and lignin, the wood’s structural components.

Weather exposure is the main factor that accelerates the tree’s failure and kills it faster, depending on the tree’s size and how it dies.

Choosing the Right Tree Removal Company

Here’s what to look for in the right tree removal company to avoid choosing the wrong one.

If you don’t want to be liable, check the company’s liability and workers’ compensation insurance by asking for proof of insurance and contacting the insurer. directly to the insurance company. Learn more about the risks of hiring uninsured tree service contractors.

ISA-certified arborists have professional knowledge and experience in tree removal, so choose only a company with certified employees to ensure safety.

Check their safety protocols and equipment to ensure safety and avoid hazards caused by unprofessional behavior.

Get a written quotation or sign a contract that specifies payment terms, cleanup procedures and the work timeline. So the companies will not ask you for large or full upfront payments. See our guide on tree removal services cost, process, and what to ask.

While choosing a company, check for company reviews; reputable companies have a positive image among their customers. Be aware of companies that have multiple complaints about their work.

The Bottom Line: Don’t Gamble With Safety

You are gambling with your family’s safety and your financial well-being by avoiding a dead tree on your property that you can not afford to ignore or postpone.

Before a disaster strikes, it is important to remove a dead tree to prevent injury or death.

Contact a professional tree removal service if you have noticed a dead tree on your property; get quotes and schedule a removal as soon as possible to eliminate the serious hazard.

Don’t wait for the storm to create hazards; contact professional tree removal services to avoid an emergency situation, because your peace of mind is worth far more than the cost of doing the right thing today. Get in touch with Calgary Tree Works today for a professional assessment.