Trees can decay and develop weaknesses over time. If your tree has such issues, it is likely prone to further weakening and tree falls that may cause damage and injury. Make sure to have a trained arborist inspect any problem areas. They can diagnose what’s going on with your tree and recommend how to proceed with the appropriate techniques for safe containment or removal.

Determine the Type and Cause of Decay or Weakness

As a homeowner, you can see some signs of tree issues without too much difficulty. However, it’s in your best interest to have a professional inspect your tree with care. They can determine if there’s internal decay, if the tree’s shell is in relatively good condition, and if there are breakages or other defects.

The most common types of tree defects include:

• Cracks: Splits on the bark may extend through the wood and into a larger section of the tree and should be dealt with quickly.
• Weak attachment of branches: If you notice a weak branch attachment, especially if it forms a branch union angle that’s extremely tight, there could be bark growing between the branches that can force them to move apart.
• Dead wood: It’s important to get dead wood removed as fast as possible since this is likely to fall during a storm or high winds.
• Decay: Not every sign of decay indicates that your tree is at risk of falling or loses branches since trees can close off decaying tissue as long as there’s plenty of healthy tissue, so you have to look at how much decayed wood there is and if there are mushrooms around.
• Broken branches: If there are hanging branches that are stuck in the canopy or only slightly attached to the tree trunk, remove them immediately to avoid injury and debris piling up in your yard.

A Final Note About Tree Weakness

Some trees are prone to decay early, and there isn’t always anything you can do about this. Sometimes, pruning can help if it’s just an issue with overcrowding of branches or thinning the canopy so you can see problems with ease. Tree removal is the only course of action in some instances if you have a tree with extensive decay or other defects that don’t have simple remedies.

Tree decay and weakness are difficult to evaluate and treat. That’s why it’s best to bring in a qualified arborist to handle these more advanced tree issues. If you are in the Spokane, WA area and are in need of a tree inspection and removal service, contact us at Curtis Point Tree Service to discuss options and set up an appointment.