6 Safety Reasons You Should Have Dead Trees Cut Down
Dead trees are dangerous and pose a safety threat to your family and people within your surroundings. This is because the roots are no longer strong enough to hold them into place due to decay. One of the main reasons why you should cut dead trees down is to prevent injuries. Dead trees are unable to sustain themselves due to a lack of nutrients and water. This makes the wood brittle and easy to break. Over time the branches and trunk could fall off, causing either minor or serious injuries that could lead to death.
Most people say that a dead tree can still remain sturdy for a long time without having to be cut down. However, it still is a safety hazard. To answer the question of when is the right time to cut down a dead tree, the answer is immediately you confirm it is dead or in the process of dying. Look out for the most common sign, which is dry tree trunks and rotting roots. Here are some of the safety reasons why you should consider tree removal
They are likely to cause injuries
Because of their brittle nature, dead trees are susceptible to breakages. When exposed to strong winds, the branches are likely to fall off and cause serious injuries to passersby and even to your household members. In cases where you tree causes bodily harm to other people, you may be held liable and obligated to pay for the injured person’s medical bills.
Damage to power and utility lines
Due to the high chance of breaking, these trees can cause damage to power lines if they are close to the lines. This damage could pose a danger to you and your neighbors who depend on the power lines for different purposes, e.g., to power medical devices or for lighting. The tree could also damage the power lines affecting the emergency phone systems, further posing a security threat within the neighborhood.
Damage to property
Tree branches or even the whole tree can fall on your roof, garage, or even vehicle causing damages that can cause a huge dent in your finances. If the tree happens to fall onto your neighbor’s property, you will likely be held responsible. This will force you to pay for the repairs to your neighbor’s property as well as any bills for injuries related to the fallen tree.
They can become breeding place for pests
Most insects and pests are known for making dead trees their habitats feeding on the bacteria and fungi on the tree, with others even feeding on the tree itself. The animals feeding on the dead trees can find their way into your home, causing a health hazard to you and your family. Some of these pests include mosquitoes, wasps, and Hymenoptera, among many others.
They can spread infectious diseases
There are many reasons that could cause the death of a tree. Some could be because of age, while others could have died from plant disease. If the tree died from diseases such as powdery mildew, white pine blister rust,, or even chlorosis, you should immediately arrange an appointment with the arborist to cut it down. This helps prevent the dead tree from spreading the infection to other vegetation within your property or the surrounding neighborhood. Some of the plant diseases can be contagious if not properly managed, spreading on to other trees and killing them.
It cost less to remove it now
A tree loses its structural integrity when they are dead because of rotting roots. A strong wind can easily cause the tree to fall or break off some branches. These branches can land on properties or people, causing damages and injuries, which you will be forced to pay for. Before all this happens, it is wise to cut the tree down. Keep in mind that arborists charge more when the tree is dead, but you should pay for those charges now rather than having to shoulder damage expenses.
