If you’re wondering when to schedule a tree risk assessment, consider the condition of the tree and its proximity to your house. If it seems structurally unsound, and you worry what might happen when the next big storm rolls through, it may be time to consider removal.
Learn more about the importance of tree removal in Louisiana.
Assessing the Risk of a Nearby Tree
You might need tree removal services if your specimen has dead areas and trunk damage. If the tree is losing bark or has sections where leaves have dropped before autumn, these may be signs of damage or disease that could cause it to fall.
If a professional inspection determines the tree is completely healthy, you might not need to remove it, even if it’s close to the house. Still, you’ll want to keep an eye on it. Should damage appear, you might need to remove it before it has a chance to fall.
How a Close Tree Could Damage Your Home
Don’t leave a compromised tree to chance. Below are a few instances in which tree removal may be necessary.
A Large Tree Could Fall Toward a House
If a damaged tree uproots and falls during a storm, it could hit your home. The weight and size of a large trunk could cave in a bedroom or crash through a window and send glass flying.
Falling Branches Can Crush a Roof
Tree removal helps prevent branches on the damaged plant from falling and hitting your home. If you have a 75-foot tree hanging over your roof, even a small or medium-sized branch might puncture the roof deck, leaving you with significant damage if rain penetrates the home.
Leaves and Debris Can Damage Gutters and Shingles
When a large tree hangs over a roof, leaves, seeds, pollen, and small twigs can cause long-term damage to gutters and shingles. Water collects around damp leaves and twigs, which may lead to mold formation. Wet, heavy leaves could cause gutters to pull away from the roof line, rendering them ineffective.
Moisture Can Damage Fascia Boards
Constant exposure to moisture from dropped leaves can affect the fascia boards, which cover the ends of the rafters, protecting the attic from the elements. When these boards sustain water damage, they may begin to rot, exposing the interior of the house to damaging moisture or insects.
Roots Can Damage Your Foundation
Tree root damage to a foundation is another reason to consider tree removal. Roots that are growing close to the foundation could shift some of the concrete out of place, allowing water to seep into the basement. Without intervention, your foundation may begin to shift, placing the entire home’s structure at risk.
Nearby tree roots can damage sewer lines, too.
Moving Tree Branches Can Pull Materials Loose
If the tree is close enough to the house to rub against it, the movement of branches in the wind can cause damage. Branches rubbing against the roof might slide underneath the shingles, pulling them loose and allowing leaks. If you have siding, a nearby branch might slip underneath, pulling a panel loose or tearing it as the branch moves in the wind.
Why Professionals Should Cut Down Threatening Trees
Some people might be tempted to try to cut down a tree that’s close to the house themselves. This is a dangerous idea, though. If you make an error when cutting the tree, you could end up inflicting harm on yourself, others, and your property.
Tree removal professionals have the equipment necessary to guide the tree safely. If the tree needs to be cut down in sections to keep it from hitting your home, an experienced crew will manage them with cranes, ropes, and slings.
You might not even need to cut down the entire tree. If the tree is healthy enough, professional tree trimming services might be enough to mitigate any possible risks. The professionals can determine which branches to remove to prevent them from endangering the house should they fall.
When a Tree Is Threatening Your House, Call Jack’s Tree Service for Immediate Service
If you’re unsure whether you’re seeing signs that a tree is a hazard to a house, don’t waste time worrying about whether it may fall and damage your property. Instead, contact Jack’s Tree Service for help. We offer a free inspection, and if we determine the tree needs removal, we’ll give you an accurate cost estimate.
Our tree removal experts do the job safely and efficiently. We can also perform tree and hurricane risk assessments at your property, ensuring you’re ready for the next big storm that threatens southeastern Louisiana.
For a free cost estimate, contact Jack’s Tree Service today at (985) 515-8939. We serve the entire region from our base in Franklinton, Louisiana.
