Does That Tree Really Need To Be Removed?
It is not uncommon to become attached to the trees in your yard. This may be because you watched them grow from a tiny sapling into something tall and strong, because the tree is the home for many small creatures you enjoy watching, or because you have many fond memories of times spent around and under its branches. This can make it difficult to decide whether the tree needs to be removed or to allow it to stay in place. Here are a few tips to help you make the right decision for you and the tree.
Damage
You need to be honest and thorough when looking over the tree for damage. Check the trunk first, watching for areas that have no bark, large cracks, or actual wounds. Then take a good look at the branches. Consider how many of them are dead or dying. Look for any that are hanging and not completely attached anymore. If the damage involves less than 25 percent of the tree, it may heal and continue to grow strong. However, if the damage is more than that, you should have a professional come to look things over.
Leaning
If the trunk alone is leaning, it does not mean that that the tree is getting ready to fall. However, if the tree is leaning over and the roots are exposed, you should probably have it removed. When the roots are exposed due to the tree leaning, the problem will continue to get worse until the tree falls over completely. This can be very dangerous and could cause a lot of damage to your home and property.
Sprouting
While many people think it is a good thing to notice new shoots sprouting up from the roots, near the base of the tree, this is not usually the case. The tree may be trying to reproduce itself because it is stressed or dying. Contact a tree removal professional to evaluate the situation. They can let you know if the original tree needs to be removed and how to do it in a way that will save the new shoots so you can have a new tree in a few years.
Regardless of the reason for needing to have a tree removed, it is best to have someone with experience do it. If you want to somehow save the tree, ask them if there is a branch or shoot that can be saved to start a new one. You may also want to have the tree hauled to a mill where they can turn it into wood you can use for something to remember the tree.