Trees provide significant benefits to our homes and cities, but when trees fall and injure people or damage property, they are liabilities. Taking care of street tree hazards makes city property safer and prolongs the life of the tree. Regular care will help identify hazardous trees and the risk they present. Once a hazardous situation is recognized, steps may be taken to reduce the likelihood of the tree and/or tree parts falling.
Below are numerous points to consider when evaluating whether a tree is a hazard:
Large dead branches in the tree
Detached branches hanging in the tree
Rotten wood or cavities along the trunk or major branches
Mushrooms (fungal fruiting bodies) present at the base, trunk, limbs or on the tree lawn area
Cracks or splits in the trunk or where branches are attached
Nearby trees fallen over or died
Trunk developed a strong lean over a target
Many of the major branches arise from one point on the trunk
Roots have been broken off, injured or damaged by lowering the soil level, installing pavement, repairing sidewalks or digging trenches.
The area has recently been changed by construction, raising the soil level or installing lawns
The leaves prematurely developed an unusual color or size
Trees have been topped or otherwise heavily pruned.
Decay and rot present in old wounds
Uprooting tree
There are several ways to manage tree hazards. The Urban Forester for your community will evaluate the tree hazard to determine the priority of the situation. If it is possible, moving the target (such as picnic tables, cars, landscape plants, etc.) can prevent damage to property. More likely, the tree will either be pruned or removed. Pruning removes the defective branches from the street tree. In some cases, some hazardous trees are best removed and replanted with a new tree in an appropriate place.
