If you're in the process of buying a substantial property with a lot of land, the chances are that you will have a large variety of mature trees to enjoy. However, these are of course living structures, and you need to be sure that they are in good condition before you proceed. Don't forget that you are responsible (as the property owner) for any accidents that should occur if one of these trees should fall. If you have an untrained eye, what should you be looking for as you carefully inspect each one?
Where to Start
Certainly, an arborist is in the best position to give you an expert opinion, but you can begin by having a close look at the condition of each tree using a pair of binoculars.
Top to Bottom
Begin by looking at the top, or crown and determine how healthy it is. Can you see any dead branches? If so, these will need to be removed and the tree more carefully inspected to determine its integrity. If there appear to be too many branches and they are rubbing together or essentially getting in each other's way, these will need to be pruned, as this could lead to trouble down the road.
Move carefully down the trunk to have a look at the basic structure of the tree. If the main trunk has split into two or more segments, this is normally okay so long as each one is continuing to grow upward. If one of the "split" trunks is moving outward instead, you should seek expert advice.
The trunk of the tree should be in good condition, without any holes or cavities of any size. If you can see these or if you can see the presence of fungi on the outside of the trunk, then this is a sign that it may be beginning to decay inside.
Does the tree look as if it is essentially growing straight up without any pronounced lean to one side or another? If there appears to have been any movement and the tree looks as if it is leaning more than it should, it could indicate that the roots have decayed and are not providing as much support as they used to.
Finally, when you get down to the bottom of the tree, determine the health of the root network as much as you can. If anything looks untoward, it could indicate that decay has set in and that organisms may be causing issues beneath the soil. Should you have any doubt at all, it is best to bring in an expert to do a comprehensive test on the root system.
Don't Hesitate
It's unfortunate, but sometimes a tree is damaged beyond reasonable repair and will need to be removed. This is not a time to hesitate, as a falling tree can cause enormous damage in the worst case. Bring in a tree removal expert for further advice and assistance.
Share22 March 2018
Hey! I'm Keith. Are you looking for tree removal advice? If so you have come to the right place. Last year, I needed some advice about how best to deal with the trees in my yard. One of the trees had started to lean and I was very worried about it. In order to deal with the problem, I called in a professional tree service and asked them to take a look at it. The contractor wasted no time and quickly removed the tree. I was really pleased with the level of service I received and I would like to encourage others to contact their local tree service.