There are many reasons for felling trees, such as making paper, producing timber, making space for new constructions and so on, but we’re more interested in the reasons for felling trees when it’s not for any kind of commercial purposes.
Of course we don’t want to cut down a tree unless there’s a reason for it but you often hear about all of the reasons why you shouldn’t cut down trees but rarely why you should. Sometimes it can be just as important to cut down a tree than it is to leave it be, but it’s not always easy to spot the reasons why. We suggest speaking to one of our tree surgeons in Manchester if you’re wanting a second opinion.
1. The tree has died.
It’s usually relatively obvious when a tree has died and whilst it may not look particularly attractive, it’s doing no harm, right? Wrong. Whilst it may be easier to simply leave a dead tree this can actually cause many problems and in some circumstances can lead to serious injuries. As well as it being much easier for dead branches to snap off and hit people, pets, objects etc. it’s also much easier for the whole tree to fall when it’s dead, especially in bad weather conditions. This can not only lead to injuries but also damage to buildings and property.
2. The tree has a disease
You don’t always have to fell a tree at the first sign of disease, however you do need to act quick, pruning any branches that look like they are infected. If the disease has spread too far you should contact a tree surgeon to look at it, and if necessary remove it, as leaving an infected tree can lead to a wealth of problems. For one, the disease can spread to other plants and trees in your garden and it can also attract pests, such as insect infestations and rats that can later get in to your home. Not treating a diseased tree will eventually lead to death, so if you don’t treat it now you will need to fell it later.
3. The tree is growing too close to something.
Despite popular opinion that a tree growing too close to a house can cause cracks in its foundation, it’s actually quite rare for this to happen, however, there can be other problems that crop up when a tree is growing too close to something. Trees growing too close to drains can lead to blockages, as their roots can get in to them. Large trees can also cause smaller structures, such as paving slabs, summer houses and garages to lift slightly as they grow underneath them. Branches can also cause physical damage to roofs and guttering, so it’s important to prune any that may be growing too close.
4. The tree is leaning in a certain direction
If a tree is leaning in a certain direction there will be more weight on one side than the other, making it more susceptible to falling in bad weather conditions. In most cases it’s fine to leave it be, however if it is leaning in a direction that could cause harm or damage if it were to fall it’s best to remove it.
5. The tree has interior decay
This one isn’t easy to spot and will often need the skills and expertise of a tree surgeon to identify. Since it is hard for the average person to spot it can be even more problematic, as like with some of the points above, it can lead to structural problems. As you can’t see interior decay, the tree can deteriorate without you knowing which could lead to trees falling or snapping unexpectedly.
The above are the extreme cases of when you should remove a tree but of course there can be a huge range of reasons that aren’t as serious, such as reducing the amount of shade in your garden, creating more space and so on. We can help you whatever your needs, so if you do require any tree services contact Rock Tree Surgeons today.