Most of us know the difference between an issue that can wait and an emergency. While this is often true when it comes to visiting a doctor’s office or the emergency room for our health, the lines are a bit more blurry when it comes to the health and safety of our trees. If you have a tree on your property, it’s important to know when to contact the certified arborist at Westcoast Tree Care for emergency service. That’s why we’d like to provide you with the following Sandy, Oregon tree care tips for emergency service.
A Fallen Tree
If a tree has come down or snapped in half due to a heavy storm or another disaster, it needs to be removed and cleaned up as soon as possible to prevent further property damage or harm to nearby people from occurring.
Cracks or Splits
While it’s normal for trees to develop cracks in their bark as they grow, deeper cracks that extend into the trunk can be an indication of a hazardous problem. Another thing to look out for is a crack or split that runs down the trunk of a tree into the ground. This can indicate structural weakness and should be inspected by a certified arborist to see if it needs to be removed to prevent a hazardous situation from happening.
Abnormal Leaning
While some trees have a natural lean to their growth pattern, anything over a 15 degree lean – especially if it’s recent – should be removed immediately. A tree that develops a sudden lean is a dangerous tree.
Large, Dead Branches
Large, dead branches are a good indication of trouble. If you spot a dead or dying branch, it’s important to have it removed immediately to prevent it from falling on people or property below.
Fungi Growth
Fungi likes to feed on dead and decaying organisms. While a tree can rot from the inside out, making it hard to spot, it’s important to look for fungi growing on the bark or base of a tree. If you spot a lot of mushrooms or other fungi, a tree is likely to be dead or diseased, making it a potential hazard that needs to be addressed by a certified arborist.
Prioritize Safety Above All Else
The safety of your property and loved ones requires more than just the removal of dead trees. Beyond this obvious hazard, a number of structural defects can exist that may result in tree failure. This is especially true for trees near homes, walkways, or driveways. Broken or hanging branches, cracks, root or soil problems, and decay are all indications of a potentially hazardous tree.
Ignoring these defects will not only put the safety of your loved ones and property at risk but big, unexpected hits to your budget if something goes wrong. That’s why it’s better to evaluate any defects with the preventative tree care services of a certified arborist to eliminate any potential safety hazards.
Westcoast Tree Care
Westcoast Tree Care offers a wide variety of Sandy, Oregon tree care services to help homeowners prevent serious harm or damage from occurring. If you believe a tree on your property is in need of emergency attention, contact our certified arborist by filling out our online form or give us a call at 1.800.767.8733 as soon as possible.
