To Remove, or Not to Remove, That is the Question!

One of the most common concerns we hear from clients is:
“Can my tree be saved?”

Naturally as arborists our main focus is to avoid tree removal. The goal is always tree health and longevity. We take great pride and passion in helping maintain trees and watching them flourish long into the future. After all, the reason we work in the tree industry is because of our understanding that trees are a critical natural resource. They clean the air, provide oxygen, serve as a habitat for wildlife, improve our landscape, and so much more! The abundance of sunshine here in Tucson increases the value of large shade producing trees substantially. But living in the Sonoran Desert makes it quite challenging at times to maintain healthy trees due to lack of rain, rocky soil, and high temperatures. When you add those factors to the list of other natural threats like insects, fungi, and disease, it’s no surprise that preserving a tree often requires a great deal of effort and help from tree professionals.

Routine tree care like trimming and pruning provide the most benefit for overall health. This allows regular opportunities for an arborist to evaluate the tree and catch any potential weakness immediately. Early detection of insect infestation, or disease is the best chance of saving a tree and avoiding tree removal. However, many homeowners don’t realize the need for a professional tree service, and they will often perform these tasks on their own. While this saves money in the short term, it could eventually end up costing you more money as important warning signs can be missed. In addition, the average person may not know the correct way to prune a tree. Tree trimming is a science. Removing branches improperly can actually weaken the tree and provide easy entry for pathogens and insects.

So how do you know when your tree is struggling or sick?
Here are some key warning signs that your tree health may be comprised:

• Deadwood and Decay: Lack of foliage, dry brittle branches that break easily, or soft and crumbly wood.
• Poor Structure: The tree has an unusual growth pattern or is leaning drastically to one side.
• Leaf wilt or unusual color change
• Cankers – Obvious wounds or patches of dead or decaying bark.
• Oozing sap
• Holes or tunnels in the tree bark
• Unusual growths on bark or foliage
• Large cracks in primary branches or trunks

Fortunately, many of these problems are likely to be resolved with adequate care. Some structural concerns, for example, can be fixed with supplement support systems that help reinforce the tree using steel cables and brace rods. Dead branches and leaf wilt can be related to something as simple as lack of sufficient nutrients or water. With the assistance of proper tree pruning, soil amendments, or irrigation the tree will usually recover.

On the other hand, some symptoms can indicate a more serious threat like disease or insect infestation. Typically, if the majority of branches on your tree appear to be dead or dying, it is possible your tree has declined significantly, and the chances of recovery are minimal. At this point the only reasonable option is to remove the tree entirely. Dead trees are very hazardous to keep around your property because they can topple and break easily, causing property damage or injury. Tree removal may also be necessary for a diseased tree because they have the potential to spread infection to other trees in your yard, effectively killing them as well.

Other Reasons for Tree Removal

Simply put, there are circumstances when a tree is just not growing in a good location. It could be obstructing a beautiful view, or perhaps the type of tree planted was not the best choice for that specific area. Trees can often grow much too large and begin to impose on surrounding structures, creating a hazard for people and property. Root systems of some species may also be very invasive and begin to damage sidewalks, utility lines and even the foundation of your home. It could also be that your tree has become a source of frustration instead of an asset. Certain trees are notorious for dropping large amounts of debris such as pollen, leaves, or seedpods which create a lot of work and constant cleanup for homeowners. Pool areas in particular are not a popular place for trees. In other instances, a tree may need to be removed in order to make room for new construction or landscape projects.

Whatever the reason may be, if you have a tree that needs to be removed, Branching Out Tree Service can get the job done safely. Contact us to schedule a free consultation! Our experienced arborist will carefully evaluate your tree and determine the best course of action to meet your needs. Read more about tree removal on our services page: https://branchingouttree.com/services/tucson-tree-removal-stump-grinding/