Many of us would agree that trees add to our enjoyment of outdoor experiences, whether in forests, parks, urban landscapes or our own back yards. However, we may not always be aware of the risks associated with defective and hazardous trees included in the landscape. Hazardous trees can cause personal injury and property damage. It is vital to understand the process for assessing the risk of hazardous trees and take the proper corrective actions to protect your property and save lives.
When Does a Tree Become Hazardous?
A tree becomes “hazardous” when any of it’s structural defects are likely to cause failure to all or part of the tree, which could then strike a “target.” A target can be a vehicle, building, or a place where people gather such as a park bench, picnic table, street, or backyard. Assessing the risk to these “targets” involves understanding the “hazards” concealed within a particular tree.
Tree Defects to Look For
There are generally seven main types of tree defects and these defects may appear individually or in combination. These defects are visible signs that the tree is failing.
- dead wood
- cracks
- weak branch unions
- decay
- cankers
- root problems
- poor tree architecture
Trees with defects are not necessarily hazardous unless some portion of the defect is within striking distance of a target.
Need Professional Advice?
Call Axemen Tree Service for an assessment and evaluation of your trees. Corrective action begins with a thorough tree inspection and evaluation. If a hazardous situation exists, there are three recommended options for correcting the problem: move the target, prune the tree or remove the tree. Axemen can help you choose the best course of action.
Call Axemen
Call the pros at Axemen to learn more about assessing the risk of hazardous trees. Axemen offers professional and quality tree care service for your GA home. We are your tree service experts serving Woodstock, Marietta, East Cobb and Roswell.