Scheduling tree removal is not always an easy decision, as mature trees offer lots of comfortable shade and visual interest for a property. Trees also provide a roosting place for birds and help improve outdoor air quality by absorbing carbon dioxide and giving off oxygen. In some cases, mature trees can even increase property values.

While there are many good reasons to keep trees on your property and invest in proper care when needed, sometimes it’s best to consider full-scale tree removal. How do you know when it’s time to remove a tree from your property versus trying to repair or renew that tree? To ensure you’re keeping your property in excellent condition and looking its best, consider this quick homeowner’s guide to scheduling Cincinnati tree trimming & removal service.

When to Schedule Tree Removal on Your Property

While sometimes a damaged or struggling tree can be repaired and renewed, there are occasions when a tree needs outright removal. Call an arborist to examine and inspect a tree if you notice any of these indicators, as these often mean your tree is damaged or dead and should be cut down and removed.

• If a tree is leaning just slightly, it might only need bracing or cabling to correct its growth. However, if the tree is leaning more than 15 degrees and especially if it’s leaning over other property, it’s probably time for tree removal! Severe leaning often indicates root damage along one side of the tree, which is difficult if not impossible to correct.
• Cracks and splits along the lower trunk often indicate damage to the tree that cannot be corrected. Cracked and split trees might also collapse without warning, so be prepared for tree removal in these cases.
• Large limbs pull moisture, sunlight, and carbon dioxide from the air, keeping the tree healthy. If a tree has several broken large limbs, it is probably in distress and damaged beyond repair. An arborist can tell you if broken limbs are considered large and if there are enough to indicate that the tree needs removal.
• Dying or decaying trees often shed bark. Bark is needed to protect a tree and keep it healthy. Once a tree loses a significant amount of bark, it probably needs removal.
• A damaged tree can often renew and restore itself, growing healthy once again. However, if a tree has suffered severe vandalism, has been hit by a vehicle, or if you’ve tried DIY pruning and the tree continues to struggle, it’s probably time to have it removed.
• Nonnative tree species might struggle to survive in certain climates, and especially in areas with extreme weather conditions. If you have a tree on your property that doesn’t seem to bloom year after year, it might be best to remove the tree and have it replaced with a stronger species.
• A tree that doesn’t regrow leaves after the winter season, or a pine tree with all yellow or brown needles needs removing.
• Lots of mushrooms or other fungi growing along the tree base or on the trunk might indicate root or wood rot, and the need for tree removal.

Can You Repair or Renew a Tree?

Damaged trees don’t always need removal, as you can sometimes repair or renew the tree and let it grow healthy and strong again. Cabling is an excellent choice for wounded trees that have weakened along one side. Cabling gives the tree added support and strength so the wound can heal and the tree can grow strong again.

Improper pruning techniques can wound branches and put added stress on a tree. A tree care expert can recut those branches to alleviate that weight, or trim other branches around the tree’s crown for added sunlight and fresh air circulation.

If a tree is suffering from root rot or wood rot, early intervention can sometimes allow it to heal. An arborist or landscaping engineer might suggest better drainage methods for your property, such as grading, a retaining wall, a French drain installation, or the addition of clay or lime to dry out the property’s soil.

Depending on your property’s soil conditions, a tree might also benefit from various fertilizers and feeds, just like houseplants! This is especially important as a tree gets older and needs more energy to support its limbs and to withstand severe weather conditions.

Trees might also struggle if they’re in close proximity to a chimney or other source of air pollution, or if they become infested. Proper pruning of branches around that air pollution source can keep poor-quality air away from the tree, while an arborist or tree care expert can also treat the tree for insect or rodent infestation.

Tree Removal Mistakes to Avoid

If a tree on your property needs removal, the first mistake to avoid is trying to manage this work yourself! Tree removal is dangerous even for professionals, and cut branches can swing away unexpectedly even when tied or cabled. It’s also not unusual for tree trunks to split and then the tree collapse without warning, landing on a parked car or other property below, and risking serious injury to anyone in the vicinity.

Property owners might also forget how much wood is produced from a felled tree. You typically cannot just put that wood out by the curb and have it picked up with the rest of your household trash. Hiring a professional tree removal expert ensures a safe job, and he or she will also know how to dispose of that wood or have it recycled for mulch or sawdust, keeping it out of a landfill.

Property owners should also remember that trees help hold moisture in the soil, prevent soil erosion, and provide shade from scorching sunlight. Simply removing trees without making adjustments to your property can then result in wilted vegetation, dead grass, and a host of other issues.

When removing a tree, keep as much vegetation around its trunk and stump as possible. A landscaper can also note if you might add an irrigation system, mulch around nearby plants and flowers, or plant smaller trees that provide at least some shade for your property. This will ensure your property stays healthy even if you need to schedule tree removal.