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Maybe it has been a hard, cold winter or a dry, hot summer and you're wondering if that tree in the backyard is dead. Before it comes toppling toward your house you should inspect it for signs of disease or decay. The best way to get the right answer about the tree's health is to contact your a certified arborist and have that specialist come take a look. The professional can help you determine if it presents any danger to humans or buildings. Here are the signs to look for if you suspect a dead tree is on your property. Check the Base Look closely at the base where the trunk goes into the soil and the roots spread out across the ground. Do you see mushrooms growing on or near the base or trunk? Sometimes this can be a sign of bad health. Do you see carpenter ants? These ants live in the wood that is decaying or hollow, cutting passages through the wood that allow them to move about to various sections of the tree. If you spot these ants, you'll likely also see the telltale sign of their work, a material like sawdust that is called frass. Do you see sprouts growing out of the base? These sprouts reveal a stressed tree, perhaps because of home building injury or too much sun. A professional can assess the tree and determine if any of these signs are cause for concern or removal. Look at the Trunk Does the bark on the trunk look healthy or do you see vertical cracks and holes, with the bark peeling away from the trunk? If you spot areas where there is no bark, then you can know that the tree is not getting the necessary nutrients in those places. The vessels that provide the nutrients live under the bark, so where the bark is gone, the plant isn't getting its proper nutrients. If you see major damage, it's likely an arborist will recommend that the tree be removed. Does the trunk appear hollow in places? Depending on how extensive the structural damage is there may be a high risk of it falling. In this case, the professional would likely recommend removal. Inspect the Canopy Do you see a lot of dead branches when you look up into the canopy? Depending on how many dead branches are evident, an arborist might recommend pruning or removal. You'll find it easiest to see the dead branches in the spring, when new leaves are sprouting. If you notice that the dead branches are located on just one side of the plant, it may be a sign of problems with the root or trunk on that side. A professional can help you decide the best way to deal with the problem. Why a Certified Arborist? As a homeowner, working with a certified arborist is the smart decision. It gives you the confidence that the person you're hiring is a professional, possessing the skills and knowledge to help you make the right decisions regarding all areas of arboriculture. Whether you have questions about pruning or removal of your trees, you can feel safe knowing that your property and your home are in qualified hands. When looking for an arborist, Portland, OR residents use Rich's Tree Service. Learn more at http://richstree.net/.
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