Southwest Florida’s seasons are infamous for bringing down tree limbs year round, and sometimes the damage is severe enough to warrant a full tree and stump removal. But not always! We know trees often have sentimental or aesthetic value, so it’s important to preserve that when possible. Often your tree can be salvaged and nursed back to health with soil nutrients and a tree wound dressing.
A good rule of thumb for removing a tree after it has lost a limb is that if more than 50% of the tree is damaged, it will likely die on its own. If this happens, it can fall and pose a hazard to people and property.
Here are some signs to look for:
- Is it leaning? If the structure of the tree has changed and is no longer straight, it should come down.
- Is it a young tree? Older, established trees can usually survive major damage more easily.
- Did it lose a major limb? The larger the limb, the more difficult it is for the tree to recover.
- How large is the tree wound? Exceptionally large wounds to the trunk are particularly difficult for the tree to recover with new bark growth.
- Are the branches and trunk interior healthy? Make a small cut with a knife in several places around the tree to verify that the inside is green and moist, as it should be.
- Are some branches bare or are the leaves at the top of the tree dead? This is an indication that the tree is already dying.
If you don’t see any of those signs, you may not have to remove that tree after all!
Contact us and one of our ISA Certified Arborists will perform an inspection and assessment to help you make the best decision for your damaged tree. We want you to enjoy the comfort and beauty of trees in your yard, so call us today and get a free estimate and evaluation on your troubled tree.