Everyone loves trees, but very few people know the ins and outs of a tree and this is why they can let small things go unnoticed. A hazardous tree shows signs of distress and danger which you should notice so that you can hire emergency tree services for safe tree removal. Here is everything you need to know about identifying hazardous defects in trees.

Detecting Hazardous Defects And Problems In Trees

The General Health Of The Tree

First things first, you need to check the overall health of the tree. Believe it or not, you can tell if a tree is doing well or not just by looking at it. A normal and healthy tree will look magnificent and green at all times. It will just look healthy. It’s hard to explain but when you see two trees side by side, with one being healthy and the other one not so much, you can tell them apart.

This is why you must have eyes everywhere. If you are someone who loves planting trees, then this should be something you’re familiar with. There can be lots of problems and hazardous issues with trees and all of them start with the declining health of the tree and it shows physically. So, if you’re on the lookout, then you can tell the small signs of damage are already there and you’ll be able to catch the problems fast before they become an issue in the long run.

Always Look At The Leaves

When you’re inspecting a tree, another thing that can tell you whether a tree is distressed or prone to defects or not is the leaves. The leaves of a healthy tree are usually lush green, stiff, and very healthy, but if the tree is not healthy, then the leaves will look wilted, they will also brown and discolor easily and things just won’t look good.

The leaves will also fall faster and the entire tree will become leafless in no time, even though it is not autumn yet.

Check The Roots

Another thing that you want to check is the roots of the trees. This only applies to larger and older trees whose roots peek out from underneath the ground. The exposed roots are not usually at risk of too many problems, but that doesn’t mean that they’re completely free either.

The roots are essentially the lifeline of the trees and they’re what give the tree nutrients. So, if there is root damage, then the chances of defect are higher because the tree is unable to protect itself since it is not getting the vital nutrients and water it needs.

The Trunk Matters

The trunk of the tree can also give away signs of a defect and it is very alarming. Usually, the trunk of the tree doesn’t peel off easily, but if it does and it is doing so at an alarming rate, then you can’t expect the tree to hold onto its health. The tree bark as well as the trunk is the protective covering for the tree.

It is like armor and if the armor has chinks in it, then you really can’t expect the tree to stand a chance. If there is too much sap production in the tree, there are reddish brown stains or liquid under the peeling tree bark or the trunk, then this can be a clear sign of defect and you need to do something about it. Contact an expert who would suggest tree pruning or removal.

Is There An Infestation?

If there are suddenly a lot of insects, critters, and flies around the tree, then you don’t just want to sit there. You have to get rid of them because something is making these critters take refuge in the tree and if they lay eggs in the tree wounds, then you and the tree will be done for.

This is why you should always keep a lookout for any infestation because it just might save your tree from something very damaging. You can also hire arborist services Kensington who can inspect your tree.

How Is The Soil?

The next thing you want to look at is the soil. It shouldn’t be too acidic or basic. It should be of a neutral pH because that is how the tree grows. Whatever is in the soil will be absorbed by the tree roots, so you want to ensure that you’re not using soil that is bad for the tree, otherwise, it can lead to hazardous defects and that is not good for the tree at all.

If you want, you can have a soil specialist check the soil and then recommend something better for the tree if needed.

Look For Tree Wounds

This is something that you seriously have to look out for. Tree wounds are small but serious holes in the tree and they can grow in depth and intensity if you leave them unnoticed for too long. You want to check for holes in the trees because they are wounds and they are exposing the vulnerable insides of the tree to damage and defect.

This is why you have to treat the wounds as you would any normal wound and if it’s too serious, then call a tree professional right away.

Is The Tree Leaning?

This might not happen all the time, but if the tree is severely damaged and is exposed to defects and outside agents, then it will decline in health to the point where it will lean onto one side.

This is bad because you never know when the tree could give up and you’ll have to take the tree down before it falls on its own accord and leaves a trail of damage in its wake. So, it’s better to keep this in mind and have a tree removal team on standby for any unwanted issues.

Are There Dead Branches?

Another dead giveaway for damaged and defect-prone trees is falling and dead branches. This is something very unusual because branches don’t just fall off randomly unless there is a problem. There can be lots of defects and issues with the tree that can lead to the branches falling and that is something that you should keep in mind.

If the branches are falling incessantly, then you can be sure that something is wrong and you need to inspect the tree right away. Something is attacking the tree from the inside which is causing it to lose its strength.

Production Of Fruits & Flowers

You also have to check the fruits and flowers of the tree. If the tree is not producing fruits or flowers at all or the growth is really slow and the quality just isn’t right, then there are a lot of red flags already.

This is something that a lot of people don’t pay attention to, but if the fruit and flower production is hindered, then it means that the tree is under attack. This is very unfortunate and it can lead to severe defects, damage, and the tree’s death.

Conclusion

Trees can face all sorts of problems and if you don’t solve them quickly, then you’ll be root-deep in trouble. If the tree is leaning or diseased, you should call in tree cutting services Bethesda who can remove the tree.