Homeowners will remove the trees for many reasons, but in many cases there are better solutions. You can really plant your tree and keep it. Still, the city Tree cover is decreasing Around 36 million cities across the United States have lost a year. The new housing development project does not take into account all the tree losses they produce.
Trees offer aesthetic, social, environmental, and even economical advantage. A house with a tree Sell ​​faster And at a higher price. It doesn’t have to be part of the problem. Think about these options.
Most tree problems are caused by getting the tree too close to the structure or planting the wrong seeds on the site. The right location of the tree Guides can help you avoid selecting trees that interfere with utility, damage your home, or cause danger.
Get the arborist
If you already have a tree causing problems, a knowledgeable arborist can solve many tree problems without relying on tree removal. Even if it is the best choice, large branches of tree removal and pruning are tasks left to the experts.
DIY tree cutting is possible Dangerous. and Emperpruning It is often the root cause of problems that lead to future tree removal (please forgive the pun). Arborists will also know if your community requires permission for treework. But be careful, anyone with a pickup truck and chainsaw can call themselves an arborist. To ensure that your work is done correctly, International Arboretum Cultivation Association.
Dealing with the roots of the problem
The roots of the problem It causes pipe breakdowns more frequently than people think. Changes in soil from compression or freeze-thaw cycles usually create cracks in the pipes in the joints. The roots grow towards existing ruptures, rich in nutrients and water. However, once the roots enter the inside of the pipe properly, they can be fully filled. Tree removal occurs It’s not always resolved This problem is because cracks can remain and stumps and remaining roots can continue to grow.
While pipe replacements are the best and lasting solution, homeowners often choose to manage their problems through maintenance. Routine administration of chemical treatments can eliminate roots from the pipe. Consider using it Copper sulfate crystalssafer than aquatic herbicides. Additionally, environmentally friendly options allow you to mechanically clear blocked sewers to prevent damage. This maintenance is best done every year.
The presence of tree roots in the foundation cracks is circumstantial evidence that the tree caused problems. However, roots are rarely the cause of the crack, and are not even strong enough to expand it. In some cases, soil type, tree species, and nearby homes, Route barrier At the Foundation.
If the tree is too close to the sidewalk, or if the soil is very compacted, the roots of the tree can interfere with nearby pavements, causing cracks and concrete lifting. Sometimes pruning the roots in question can help. However, root pruning can be harmful to the health of the tree and risks destabilizing the tree. Lift, move, and install pavement Route barrier It is usually more effective.
Disarmed Hazard Tree
Branches and falling trees usually occur during extreme weather conditions such as strong winds, snow, or ice storms, or when the ground becomes supersaturated from heavy rain. Some tree species will branch off more easily than others, but most trees can withstand the bad weather that is common.
Arborists can identify which trees pose a danger. For a tree to be dangerous, it must be both defective and can be targeted. For example, trees that have been extensively damaged by construction are less likely to fall during winter and other extreme weather, making them more stable. other Risk factors It includes choking on dead branches, tooth decay, decay, branched structures (often the result of bad pruning), or grape grapes.
Many You can manage risks By pruning defective branches or simply moving the target to ensure that the branches fall harmlessly. Even trees that are at risk of falling can often be restored to health with proper maintenance or protected by techniques such as cables and braces.
Open a blocked view?
One of the most common reasons to cut down a tree is to block the view. But the tree teeth View. Surgery patients who can actually see the trees from hospital beds It recovers faster And important research confirms it Exposure to the tree Improves human health and well-being.
At the very least, think of the tree as a frame for the view. The line Top tree It’s an ugly frame, as well as roofs and driveways exposed by the removal of wood. Instead, consider it Expert pruning techniques Like a window, interlimp or slide that creates a landscape without destroying trees. These approaches obscure the details of the ugly foreground; advantage Healthy trees.
And if you need to remove the tree, always take the time to plant new ones and take up the CO2 your old tree was using to absorb it.
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on October 1, 2020 and updated in March 2025.
