As much good as trees do for the environment, dead trees are just as, well…deadly. If they’re not cut down by humans, they eventually fall over and can cost thousands of dollars in property and/or vehicle damage. Calling a tree removal San Antonio service would be a must-do to avoid further property damage or human casualty. They have even been known to kill on contact when they fall.

Here are some signs that a tree is dead and on the verge of falling.

-Cracks and splits. These are the worst kind because they often occur right up the trunk’s middle or where the branches meet the trunk. Once it starts, takes only wind or a storm to knock it down. Maples and ashes are especially prone due to the general nature of their growth. However, it does not necessarily need to be cut down right away in some cases. Some cracks can be cabled. This is when a seven-stand steel cable is anchored into a couple of stems or limbs up to a third of the way above the crack or split.

2. Mushrooms. Mushrooms are basically the fruit of fungus and they love to grow on dead wood. As a result, mushrooms usually sprout only after serious damage is already there. They grow on any dead spot from old wounds caused by mowing equipment to death due to a disease. However, only a professional arborist can tell which it is because only they can usually spot whether the mushroom pattern is pathogenic.
3. Hollows. Hollows are not as romantic as fairytales portray them to be. Even squirrel holes make trees lose their structure. Many times, they are not enough to make the tree dangerous. However, if there’s doubt, it may be helpful to get a professional arborist’s opinion. These days, the size of the cavity is usually measured by a Resistograph. A Resistograph uses a small drill and then measures the density of the tree on its graph. They are designed to detect even minor changes due to decay. If the decay is significant, an evaluation without delay is strongly recommended. Tree decay is like cancer. If left untreated, it spreads to the root and then the tree’s in danger of falling.
4. Tilting. Tilting is very bad because chances are, it means that the tree is dead at its root. When a tree lifts like that, the soil immediately around it often lifts with it. In the case of the soil lift, it’s best to get the tree evaluated as soon as possible. In most cases, it’s best to have it removed without delay because it usually means that it’s in imminent danger of falling.
5. A lot of deadwood. Almost all trees will have an occasional dead branch at some point. The problem is when it has several or a cluster of dead limbs near the top. That can signal a fungal disease or damage due to construction. Only a professional arborist can determine which it is. The good news is that recovery is possible in some cases.

Lawn Safety for Trees

If there is a significant concern that the mowing or weed whacking equipment could bump into a tree, one thing piece of advice is surround it with mulch. Don’t apply the mulch more than two inches thick or it could damage the tree and be kept away from the trunk bark. A tree removal San Antonio service will have a holistic approach for your consideration. Trees may not live forever but they do the environment so much good by breathing in carbon dioxide and breathing out oxygen. As fast as the planet’s losing trees, the last thing that’s advisable to do is hastening its death.