Here are 5 significant signs of why garden trees are a safety hazard – protect your family
Having greenery around you and your home is something everyone wants. Trees clean out air, calm the nerves, and are very good for maintaining mental health. However, some trees can become safety hazards over time.
The best way to rein in hazardous trees is through professional cabling. Usually, a professional would have to inspect the property to determine which trees are hazardous, however, it is pretty commonsensical and you can do it as well. The most important thing is to notice the threat early enough to make a timely decision. The earlier you identify a problem, the easier it is for professionals to take care of it.
The Signs To Look Out For
It is important to be able to spot the signs of a tree being a safety hazard. Some of the most important signs to look out for are:
Broken or Hanging Branches
- For fully grown trees, broken or hanging branches can be quite a threat. This is because these branches are likely to fall off at any time and can hurt people or property. If this threat is ignored, it can be very dangerous in the case of a storm or windy weather. You might not always see the damage very clearly as cracks and wear can be in hidden places.
Dry or Cracking Bark
- Sometimes trees experience issues known as ‘Ingrown Bark’. This usually happens when two branches meet and form a V shape at their conjunction and not a U. This situation occurs if a tree has not been pruned properly. In the long run, the bark begins to dry out and gets weaker, and over time one of the two main branches may fall.
Leaning Trees
- Leaning trees are the most obvious tree hazard and you don’t need a professional to figure that out. When inspected, things such as the duration of incline, the degree of incline, and what it’s likely to fall on will be taken into consideration. Some trees lean naturally, but if the incline starts at the base of the trunk, it could be a problem.
Weakened Tree Trunk
A weakened tree trunk is a sign of a potential safety hazard when the crown of the tree begins to get too heavy. Over time, the trunk starts to wear and can hollow out at times as well. This leads to the development of a poor structure. In the case of a storm or any other extreme weather, it can cause the trunk to break or give way.
Severe Root Damage
- One of the most common damages that trees sustain is to the roots. This is especially true in areas where there is a lot of construction. Clearing out the land for houses or other forms of buildings can cut off major roots of the tree. It can also free the soil that roots are holding on to. In cases like these, trees are not as stable or balanced.
Getting A Professional Opinion
It is always preferred that you get a professional opinion when you feel that a tree on your property may be a potential hazard. In case you find a tree on public property to be hazardous you can mention it to the city authorities.
At American Tree Experts, Inc. we offer the best services to keep your plants out of harm’s way. Our tree cabling and bracing services make sure that any hazardous trees are supported and reined in. Our most sought out services are pruning, bracing, pest management, and nutritional management. We offer services in Montclair, New Jersey. Call us at 973-744-6091 for a free quote.
Knowing how much of the tree to cut off depends on your goal, the age of the tree, and the season you are pruning in. If your tree is fairly young you can cut about one-third of the crown during pruning. However, for older trees, it is advised to cut no more than 10%. Most of the cuttings should be made from the crown of the tree.
When it comes to pest infections, worms are the last thing you’d expect to be tackling. Coddling Moth Grubs are larvae that like to reside in fruit and nut-bearing trees for the winter. As soon as fruits begin to develop in spring, they attack the fruit and cause issues in plant reproduction. These pests are the infamous worms you see in apples in various popular media.
Crown reduction is performed to preserve the main limb. To do so, terminal branches of the tree are removed. Crown reduction promotes the health of the tree by decreasing the risk of decay. When performed correctly, crown reduction results in an overall reduction of tree height. It also lifts a dead weight from the tree.
These low-maintenance hedges grow in a narrow-pyramid shape. When planted closely, Green Arborvitae forms a defensive boundary that offers privacy and protection for the property. These trees grow up to 15 feet in height and 3-4 feet in width. Arborvitae trees have thick foliage of lush green leaves which adds beauty to the landscape they are planted in.
Crabapple is an ideal fit for small spaces. They grow up to 20 feet and bear pink buds that later grow into beautiful white flowers. White is the most common color, but some crabapple trees bear red, magenta, or pink flowers as well. Flowers have a sweet fragrance that fills the area when they fully blossom.
These insects live on the underside of the leaves and spin silk webs. They feed on the foliage which causes punctures and holes in the leaves. Spider mites have a greenish/yellow appearance and have four pairs of legs. Hence, they get the name due to their resemblance with spiders. They are much smaller in size compared to spiders. The average spider mite is 1/64-inch long. Due to their minute sizes, spider mites are very hard to detect.

A pest infestation can occur for indoor plants as well. Indoor pest infestation is an even bigger nuisance as the pests pose a threat to human health as well. For indoor pests, special pesticide solutions are formulated which are not as harsh and toxic as the more potent outdoor chemical solutions. Using outdoor removal treatments inside your home can pose a health emergency as they comprise dangerous and toxic chemicals that are harmful to human health.
