Written by Admin and published on https://www.aearborists.com/.

Many people think of trees as being big and strong, but they can actually pose a significant risk to property and people. While they are an integral part of the ecosystem, trees can become uprooted in high winds and fall onto homes or cars, causing extensive damage. They can also drop large limbs, which can crush anything in their path. In addition, trees can be a haven for birds and other animals, which can damage roofs and gutters with their nesting materials.

As a result, it is important to be aware of the risks associated with big trees and take steps to mitigate the dangers they pose. One way to do this is to have them regularly inspected by a certified arborist to ensure that they are healthy and structurally sound. In addition, property owners should create a plan for what to do in the event of a tree-related emergency. By taking these precautions, we can enjoy the many benefits of trees while minimizing the risks they pose.

Big Trees And Big Risks

Everyone enjoys the beauty of a big tree. However, if you live nearby you should consider the risks and create a plan to help prevent harm to people and property. Clearly, when large trees are away from structures, walkways and people they don’t pose a significant of risk. We freely enjoy their majesty from a safe distance. However, the risk factors are increased dramatically when these trees are incorporated into landscapes, parks and structures. When this happens you bear a greater responsibility to help ensure safety from the risk factors involved.

The pictures on this blog are of an Oak tree. It was the largest Oak in the county at the time. This tree had been maintained and inspected every 15 months for much of it’s life. During that time it was under the direction of people who understood the risks involved and the importance of annual inspections and maintenance. However, for the last 4 years, it was under new ownership. The tree was left without inspection and without pruning for all of that time. Most of those years were extreme drought years which increased the risks. When this tree failed in the middle of the summer and in the middle of the day the family was out of town so, thankfully no one was injured. Therefore, it’s clear that there is great importance in taking safety seriously when living around big trees.

Large canopy trees in a mature state need routine maintenance. Big trees add great value to properties and can have a majestic presence in landscape scenes. However, with that comes a great responsibility and liability. So, any large mature tree should have a regular maintenance plan which includes inspections, pruning, and nurture. That will protect property and investments and also, will ensure the longevity of the tree. All trees need care, especially large trees.

This article was first published on: https://www.aearborists.com/2017/08/11/big-trees-and-big-risks/.