Trees are essential in keeping the Earth habitable and helping humankind flourish. They provide oxygen while removing toxic carbon monoxide from the air. They also offer fruit and shade for the people and animals around them. Trees are also a fabulous addition to a property and can add character and colour to a plain garden.
When To Remove A Tree
Despite the many advantages of having trees on your land, there may come a time when your trees bring more harm than good to your garden.
Besides preventing the spread of diseases and harmful bugs, here are other reasons why a tree should be removed from your property:
- The Tree Is Infected
One of the main reasons why many homeowners choose to remove a tree is because it has been infected. While some tree infections are still treatable, late-stage or terminal diseases make your tree extremely dangerous. When you notice symptoms of illness or decay, call an arborist immediately. They can help save the tree, if still possible, or advise how to remove and dispose of it safely. This will help prevent whatever is plaguing the tree from spreading to the healthy trees and plants in your garden.
- The Tree Is Severely Damaged
Even a young, healthy tree can be susceptible to significant or irreparable damage caused by severe weather conditions, construction, or falling objects. If your tree has become damaged beyond repair, it can become unsteady and dangerous. At this point, cutting the tree down may sadly be the best option.
- The Tree Is Old
When your tree becomes too old, you may want to consider removing it and replacing it with a younger, healthier tree. Mature trees are more brittle, and can splinter or break at the slightest pressure. Do not allow an old tree to stay in your property for too long as it can be dangerous for your property and your family.
- The Tree Is Dead
Many arborists advise that you should immediately remove a dead or dying tree as soon as you identify the issue. Dead trees not only ruin the aesthetic of a thriving garden, but they may also harbour pests, bacteria, or fungi that could easily infect nearby plants. Furthermore, dead trees pose risks for dropping branches, falling over, and other hazards.
- The Tree Is Obstructing Construction
When you are constructing a new building or expanding your home, you may have to remove trees that are obstructing the way. Although ideally, you would plan your route around healthy trees in an effort to preserve them, sometimes doing so is not feasible.
When You Don’t Want to Cut Down the Tree
If, for whatever reason, you don’t want to remove a tree from your backyard, you might be able to apply mitigating tree care to save it. This includes pruning and remove excess weight from your tree that may be contributing to its quick decay.
However, before you decide whether or not you want to keep your tree, call in an arborist who can help you determine whether the decay or disease can be contained or treated. They can also advise you on how you can care for your trees and nurse it back to health.
Can Removing Trees Be Beneficial?
We are aware of the benefits that planting trees bring, but do not be surprised if your arborist would advise you that it may be time to remove a tree from your garden, or relocate it elsewhere in your yard. Here are some benefits that you might reap when you remove or relocate trees:
- Keep Your Property Safe
Weakened and diseased trees are easily susceptible to strong winds and other harsh weather conditions. If a tree or its branch would fall, these could injure people or damage your home (or your neighbour’s home).
Even a healthy tree can be a hazard. If a tree is planted too close to infrastructure, issues may arise as the tree grows. Tree canopies that grow into power lines or roots that penetrate a water or sewage line will cause problems sooner or later. If you think your tree’s location could eventually become a problem, consider having it moved, while it is young and better able to handle replanting.
- Improve The Health Of Your Garden
Removing broken and sick trees can prevent fungi and bacteria from spreading and causing other trees and plants to rot. Even when healthy, sometimes trees provide too much shade. Removing excess growth will help with sun exposure and airflow, both of which contribute significantly to the health of all your plants.
- Increase Your Property Value
Just as healthy trees can bring life to a property, dead and unhealthy ones can drag your property value down. Not only will it give your home poor aesthetics, but also dead and diseased trees can shelter pests and bacteria, and will eventually become a falling hazard.
Not A Do-It-Yourself Project
Removing and disposing of a tree is not a project that should be attempted by someone without the necessary equipment, skills, knowledge, and experience for it. It is a tough job that, when done incorrectly, can mess up your entire landscape and put you in danger. Here are some reasons why it is essential to call for assistance when you need to have trees removed from your property:
- Avoid Injuring Yourself
Trees are enormous and heavy, and removing them is a difficult job. If you are not trained in the proper techniques on how to safely cut them down, you are risking severe injuries and even death. Avoid putting yourself in a dangerous situation and call for an experienced arborist specially trained for tree care and removal to do the job for you.
- Prevent Property Damage
If you remove big trees improperly, you could cause the tree to fall over and damage your roof, other plants, power lines, or your neighbour’s property. When you hire a professional to take care of the removal for you, they can guarantee that your property (and the surrounding spaces) will remain free from harm caused by the removal.
- Save Yourself Avoidable Expenses
If you choose to remove a tree yourself, you would have to buy all the essential equipment. This can be pricey. Furthermore, the possible injuries and damage to your property can result in relatively hefty bills. Hiring an arborist, then, is the most practical and inexpensive (not to mention safe) way of removing an unwanted tree from your property.
Arborists are not only there to help you when it’s time to bid your old trees farewell; they can assist you throughout the tree’s entire lifespan. Arborists are trained in determining the best kinds of trees that would fit a landscape, the best way to care for the trees and to diagnose and advise treatments for sick or injured trees.
If you’re looking for a beautiful, young, and healthy new tree to replace an older one, Caledon Treeland has some of the best selection of trees for sale in the GTA. You can reach us at (905) 880-1828 or contact us online to schedule a time when you can visit our farm and choose your new tree.