The Dangers of a Decaying Tree

Posted on: 16 September 2021

While trees are a wonderful addition to any landscape, a decaying tree growing dangerously close to your structure or utility lines can cause a host of problems if faced with unstable weather, pests or disease. Whether the tree is decaying due to old age or illness, scheduling a removal service is extremely important to avoid the following pitfalls. 

Costly Lawsuits 

Suppose your decaying tree or one of its limbs damages your neighbour's property or hurts an innocent passer-by. In that case, it could result in a costly lawsuit, especially if you knowingly failed to remove the tree. As the landowner, you are responsible for maintaining healthy trees, and failure to remove a decaying tree that eventually causes damage leaves you liable for compensating affected parties. You want to make sure your tree is inspected for potential dangers and removed to prevent common hazards. 

Pest Infestation Threat

Dead trees are extremely attractive to pests and more so ants and termites. In addition to risking other trees in your compound being ravaged by an army of pests, these termites can make their way into your home, causing significant structural damage. The most important thing you can do is make sure the dead tree is removed to avoid an infestation in surrounding areas. 

Aesthetically Unappealing

Dead trees are an eyesore and will likely ruin your picture-perfect yard if left unattended. Healthy trees improve property value, enhance air quality, provide relaxing shade and offer great privacy. A dead or decaying tree will achieve the opposite with falling off branches, peeling bark, dead leaves, and an awful rotting odour. An unsightly dead tree not only reduces your kerb appeal, but it also affects the overall value of your property, so have it removed by trained professionals.

Other Trees Can Suffer Same Fate 

A decaying tree resulting from pathogens and diseases poses significant risks to other trees in your yard. Tree diseases are contagious, and failure to remove a dying tree can result in total landscape destruction should the disease-causing pathogens spread to neighbouring vegetation. A single decaying tree can cause a seasonal, regional or a species-specific outbreak if not removed in good time. That last thing you want is other trees in your yard meeting the same fate as your currently decaying tree. 

More often than not, a decaying tree must be removed. If you have a decaying tree near your house, property line or utility lines, have it removed by a tree removal service to avoid hazardous conditions.

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