Trees add natural beauty and shade to your property, and many have sentimental value. Homeowners are often reluctant to get rid of trees and hang on to dying ones for far too long, though. You might think that dying trees are harmless, but they pose many dangers to your family and property, as well as the ecosystem. Here are four unexpected hazards of keeping a dying tree around.
1. Unstable Branches
Dead tree branches are much more brittle than living branches, which makes them extremely vulnerable to falling during storms, high winds or heavy snowfall. These limbs can fall at any moment, causing damage to property or injuries to anyone below. If the tree is nearly dead, the entire structure may also collapse.
Falling branches and limbs can also damage the power lines, resulting in outages. If you have any dead or dying trees near power lines, it’s important to notify your utility company immediately. A temporary solution to prevent injuries is to surround it with caution tape or a barrier. This ensures the immediate area is safe until you can have the dying tree removed.
2. Pests and Disease
A dying tree is the perfect environment for pests, like termites and carpenter ants. These pests can easily move from the tree to your home and cause structural damage. If your tree is dying because of a disease or fungus, these infections can spread to healthy trees on your property. The last thing you want is for all your trees to die because of one diseased tree.
3. Fire Hazard
One of the biggest dangers of keeping a dying tree on your property is fire. When trees die, they become dry and flammable. These trees can easily catch fire during hot, dry weather or a lightning storm. They can also go up in flames due to sparks spreading from nearby fires or flames from torches and candles. It’s important to make sure any dry, dead trees are removed before fire weather hits.
4. Harms Wildlife
Healthy trees are an essential part of the ecosystem, providing a habitat for many wildlife species like squirrels, birds and helpful insects. When a tree dies, it no longer serves this purpose and can begin to harbor unwanted species instead. In a forest, these dead trees would be cleared by natural phenomena, such as wildfires and decay. However, dying trees on your property must be safely removed by a professional.
From risks to the ecosystem to hazards that can destroy your property, there are many hidden dangers of hanging on to dying trees. If you’re ready to get rid of dead and dying trees on your property, contact Cordwin Tree Service for quality tree removal service in Ocala, FL.
