Home Gardening

Check the health of your trees for safety
Mississippi Gardens Newspaper and Web Column - July 12, 2004

	Signs of tree decline such as poor leaf cover and broken branches along with close proximity to people and property make this tree potentially hazardous.

The huge limb came crashing down on the edge of my house about 4:30 a.m. It was a total surprise since the early morning hours had been perfectly still with no wind or rain. When the sun finally rose, we could see that one of the very large water oaks along our fence line had dropped a large branch with a girth of at least 18 inches right next to our daughter's tire swing. Its decay had been hidden and it still had green leaves. We had no idea that our kids had been playing under a hazardous tree!

Hazardous trees may be defined as those with some defect in its roots, stem or branches that may cause part of the tree to fail and that failure results in property damage, personal injury or death. Disease, injury, poor tree structure, brittle wood, shallow roots, etc. may cause tree defects that may lead to serious failure.

In our case, the tree limb had grown horizontally and a water pocket had formed on the top of the branch where it was attached to the trunk. It had taken years, but the moisture led to wood decay, and what scientists call "normal self pruning". The lesson we learned is that tree hazards are not always easily spotted.

Tree removal is usually a last resort. Trees are such an important and valuable part of the landscape that we tend to keep them as long as possible. However, as desirable as trees may be, we should take time to examine them occasionally to see if help is needed to keep them healthy, vigorous and safe.

A good way to start checking your trees is to examine the top and crown. Look for broken branches with unpruned stubs or sprout-like regrowth. Are there dead branches? These "widow makers" are an accident waiting to happen. Dead limbs may fall during high winds or even on a calm day. Is the tree obviously dead or dying? Compare your tree with others of the same type to compare the amount of foliage as well as leaf size, color and condition.

Look for forked trunks (v-shaped) that are signals of possible stem weakness. Take note of signs of decay on the trunk such as cavities, disfiguration and the presence of fungi. Check for other wounds or cracks since any opening is an entrance point for decay.

Next, check the roots for signs of decay. Most of the time, root damage is not obvious. Once in awhile, though, "mushrooms" may develop on or near the base of the tree. These are fruiting bodies of decay organisms. Severed roots, from utility trenching also weaken trees and create entrance points for pathogens.

If tree defects are noted it's time to take action, but don't tackle this your self. Tree pruning or removal is dangerous business. Contact a licensed arborist for professional assistance.

Publications may download photograph at 200 dpi: Top | Bottom