Trees benefit us in lots of ways. They are also able to cause harm when limbs or even whole trees fall on power lines, vehicles, houses, or people. Normally, weakened trees give warning signals of danger. By learning to recognize the indications to follow-up with the correct action, you can manage this risk while saving yourself the hassle.
What’s a Hazard Tree?
A tree collapse occurs when a tree or big part of the tree breaks and drops. Trees become a potential hazard when there’s a target. A target is a structure, vehicle, or an individual that could be hit by a falling tree or its parts.
The target determines the degree of hazard. Consider the differences among a tree falling on a fence, a home, or a person. The tree leaning over the bedroom is the most hazardous. Trees near higher use areas are far more of a risk than those close to rarely visited areas, as the probability of a person being hit is significantly greater
Priorities for elimination or corrective treatments depend on the risk rating of the shrub. The tree era is significant in hazard tree management. Each tree species has an intrinsic life span. The risk of failure increases with age. Longevity should be thought about when assessing existing tree hazards or selecting species to plant.
In general, longer-lived species are favored, unless plans are made to preserve or periodically replace persistent species. The environment where a tree life will also determine its danger potential.
Observe the Trunk.
Decay is a significant source of tree collapse, is brought on by fungi that weaken timber as they grow and reproduce. As wholesome trees bend and sway, wood fibers slip past each other. Decaying cells, besides, aren’t flexible and frequently break. The existence of many reproductive structures signals advanced phases of corrosion. Decay is frequently present without clear signs. Cracks, seams, buttocks swell, dead branch stubs, and big, older wounds state internal decay.
Wounds and cankers are two kinds of tree flaws associated with hazards.
Cankers are usually shrub diseases which are perennial and aggressive. These flaws expand with time and increase the odds of tree collapse. Injuries and cankers can be weak points in the trunk, and their position relative to the prevailing winds influences the risk they represent. A tree is much more prone to break in an injury or canker if it’s facing or away from the direction of the prevailing wind. Vertical cracks or seams along the trunk suggest internal flaws. A hollow tree isn’t always a hazard tree.
Cavities grow from bark wounds. Many older trees have big conspicuous cavities. Vigorous trees have been observed to grow more sound wood around the hollow, compensating for that lost to decay. Compartmentalization of the decay also prevents the size of the rotten compartment from expanding. Inspect the Crown. Crown vigor and form are two indications of the general health of trees. Crown characteristics of a possible hazard shrub include dieback, V shaped forks and lopsidedness.
What Can You Do?
Check your trees, especially large, old ones. Periodic, thorough inspections are essential to prevent accidents. Every tree likely to have a problem should be inspected from bottom to top, looking for signs of root or butt rot and continuing up the trunk toward the crown, noting anything that might state a potential hazard. At least one inspection per year should be made, but two per year are recommended, one in the summer while the leaves are on the tree and one in the winter.
Treatments
Since all trees are potential hazards, the only way to completely eliminate a tree hazard is to remove the tree. Where this is not acceptable, regular inspection and appropriate action is the best way to reduce your risks. Dead trees within the range of a target should be removed. When removing a hazard tree, prevent creating another hazard tree by limiting damage to the site and residual trees.
Prevention
Prevention is the best action. Start a tree health program as soon as possible. Proper selection and placement of trees prevents many hazard problems.