Trees in your yard can provide shade, protection from wind and weather, and beauty to your yard. When a tree in your yard is dying, damaged, or planted in an undesirable location, you may need to have it removed. Here are some tips to help you decide if a tree in your yard should be cut down by professional tree removers or if you can keep it.
How Healthy is Your Tree?
As your trees get old and age, look for signs of disease or areas where the tree may be dying off. A tree in your yard with one or two dead branches may be salvageable by trimming the dead parts from the tree. If a large majority of your tree is dead, it may not be worth trimming off the dead parts, as too much of the tree would need to be removed. A good rule of thumb recommended by experts is to remove the tree if more than 50 percent of the tree is showing signs of damage.
Also look at the tree's leaves to determine if it is diseased and should be removed. If its leaves fall off early, or if the leaves are discolored, curled, or have nodules growing on them, you should consider removing the tree. But always talk to a certified arborist or a tree removal professional before cutting down a diseased tree to see if you can treat the tree to save it.
What Variety is Your Tree?
If your tree is healthy, growing well, and shows no signs of disease, next consider the variety of tree it is before deciding if it needs to be removed. For example, a tree that bears fruit each year, has strong and sturdy branches, or provides a lot of shade for your yard and home are each types of trees you may be more inclined to keep.
On the other hand, if the tree creates problems in your yard, such as excessive twigs and seed pods falling into your yard after a storm or during certain times of year, you may consider removing the tree. A tree that requires any type of excess clean-up can make it a tree you are less likely to keep.
What is the Location of Your Tree?
The size of the tree and how far it is located from your home can also help you decide if you should have it removed. Tall trees with a height of 70 feet or more growing within 20 feet of your home, trees up to 70 feet tall growing within 15 feet of your home, and trees 30 feet tall or less growing with eight to ten feet of your home should be removed.
If you have a tree in your yard that is growing near any power lines, you may consider removing the tree. Trees growing near power lines need to be kept trimmed back so they don't interfere with the lines. Trimming back your tree's branches can cause stress to your tree, cause it to grow lopsided, and make it more susceptible to insects and disease.
A tree planted above where your home's sewer line is buried can cause problems and clogs to your home sewer. Some tree roots can grow into older types of sewer lines, clogging and breaking apart the sewer line and costing you thousands of dollars to repair or replace the damage. Check with your city sewer company or local zoning or building office to find out where your sewer line runs beneath your yard. You can also talk to a professional plumber to have your sewer line inspected for any tree root blockages.
Use these tips to help you determine whether or not to remove a tree in your yard and to hire a tree professional or tree removal company.
