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Infestation, Tree Surgery, and Replanting: How to Take Care of Dead Trees

The decision to get rid of a tree in your yard is a hard one. Trees are vital to the environment, plus they provide us with needed shade, allow for privacy from neighbours, and provide barriers to the wind. Certain trees help make our lawns more beautiful, while other types of trees might provide produce for us or for animals.

With all of these benefits in mind, some homeowners put off getting rid of trees until it is too late. As beneficial as trees can be, It is also important to keep in mind that having a dead tree in your yard is dangerous. Branches could break off the tree and fall on someone. Or, worse, the entire tree might fall over and hit your house or a car. Knowing what to look for and knowing what to do about a dying tree is necessary.

Look for signs of sick trees

Sometimes it can be hard to spot a sick or dying tree. The signs can be very subtle and hard to recognize. One sign to look for is leaves changing colours or falling off too soon. Sick trees may shed their leaves early to go into dormancy. You may also notice that the leaves appear to be wilted or have holes in them. Another sign is if your tree’s bark looks brittle or spongy. Bark or limbs might also start falling off of your tree.

Seek help from a professional

If problems are caught early enough, a tree might be able to recover with proper watering and fertilization. Sometimes you can even trim the unhealthy parts of the tree and save the remaining parts. If you suspect that a tree in your yard is sick or dying, contact a professional to see if there is any way to save the tree. A professional will be able to look at your tree and help identify the next steps. A little TLC might have your tree looking healthy again.

Green grass tree in field

Get rid of infested trees quickly

If you discover that you have an infested tree, get rid of it as quickly as possible. If the infestation has spread throughout the entire tree, there is a chance that it will spread to any other nearby trees or plants. An infested tree might have unusual markings in the bark, ooze a sap-like substance, or have a large number of visible larvae or bugs crawling on it. Contact a tree surgeon service to help remove the infested tree. They can help ensure the infestation doesn’t spread.

Other signs trees need to go

Sometimes, it is necessary to remove a tree that isn’t sick or dying. Get rid of trees that are growing too close to your house. Even the branches of healthy trees can get damaged during storms and fall on your house. You should also get rid of trees that are leaning too far over or that are getting entangled in the powerline. Also, keep an eye on the roots of your trees. If roots are growing near your foundation or your pipes, the tree needs to go.

DIY or hire a professional

Once you realize that you need to get rid of a tree, you might wonder whether you can remove the tree yourself or if you should hire a professional. Unless the tree is small, you should hire a professional to take the tree down. If you don’t know what you’re doing, it is easy for tree removal to go wrong. Another benefit of hiring a professional is that they’ll remove the tree for you! They’ll haul the branches away and leave you with a clean lawn.

Tree log

Replanting for the environment

If you’re worried about the environmental impact of getting rid of a tree, you can always plant another tree to replace it. You can either choose to transplant an existing tree or plant a new tree. Either one is good for the environment. If you plant a tree, be mindful of the location. Know how big the tree will grow and whether it will interfere with your house or any power lines. Plant it in a location where it can mature to full size without damaging your property.

Final thoughts

Check your trees regularly. If you catch a disease or infestation early enough, there may be a way to save a tree before it dies! Maintaining trees in your backyard often requires looking for signs of sickness or infestation, removing dead trees as necessary, and planting new trees to help the environment.

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