Oak trees have to be some of the most majestic, stately trees in the world. They tower over your landscape, casting a cool shade. In the late summer, they drop acorns, which attract squirrels and other beautiful wildlife. But in spite of all these benefits, oak trees do sometimes become diseased or dilapidated. When they do, the right thing to do is often to have the tree removed. A swift removal will protect other oak trees from disease, and it will protect you and your property from the dangers of fallen limbs and a felled tree. So what are the signs it's time to have your oak tree removed?
Brackets at the base
Oak trees are quite hardy and can tolerate a mild fungal infection that causes symptoms like leaf spots and small cankers on the branches. But if a fungal infection is so severe as to cause brackets to grow out of the trunk or roots of the oak tree, the tree is beyond saving. Fungi only send out these brackets -- their fruiting bodies -- when they reach a mature stage and have invaded the tree's vascular system. If the oak tree can still transport water to its branches at this point, it will soon lose that ability, which will cause its branches to become weak and brittle. If you see brackets, call the tree removal company.
A large cavity in the trunk
Sometimes an oak tree will develop a big, hollowed-out cavity in its trunk. You often see this around eye level, or where the first major branches attach to the tree trunk. As cool as this cavity might be to discover, it is not a good sign for the tree. It means its interior wood has been deteriorating for some time. Such a cavity also makes the tree weak and more likely to fall. It's best to have the tree removed before it falls down on its own due to structural weakness.
A dead crown
A dead branch here and there isn't typically a cause for alarm, but if the entire crown of your oak tree seems to be dying and turning brown, that's a big red flag. Oaks can get a disease called oak wilt, which causes this rapid die-off. There's no dependable cure and the disease is highly contagious, so you're best off removing the tree promptly to reduce the spread.
Sometimes, the best thing you can do for your oak tree is to say goodbye. To learn more, contact a local tree removal service.
