Northwest Houston is home to several species of large trees. Large trees are a beautiful addition to most any yard and offer practical shade coverage on even the hottest of Texas summers.
Even so, large trees can threaten your home if not properly maintained. Homes, garages, and utility lines can all be at risk. Minimize your risk by reviewing this guide to help you recognize danger signs and know when professional tree removal is necessary.
How Large Trees Become a Safety Risk
Several factors play into whether a tree becomes a safety risk. Factors like size, age and shallow root systems are common. Generally older, larger trees can pose a risk. Any tree with shallow root systems, meaning the roots don’t anchor the tree deeply into the ground, can pose a risk. That risk is generally higher when combined with age or size.
Trees prefer relatively balanced soil and weather conditions. When soil is overly saturated, roots can become loose, causing trees to lean or become uprooted. Add storm exposure to a situation like this and the likelihood of tree failure increases.
Should the tree in question be near structures like homes, driveways, or powerlines, tree removal becomes critical to prevent property damage or injury to inhabitants and pedestrians.
Warning Signs Homeowners Should Watch For
Trees rarely fail without warning. Nature has given us indicators and warning signs that a tree isn’t doing well, but it’s up to homeowners to remain watchful.
Visible indicators can include leaning trunks, exposed roots, and cracked soil. Large dead limbs, canopy imbalances, and trunk defects can also make an appearance.
When it comes to tree health, it’s never too early to take action. When you see a visible indicator, seek help as soon as possible. Early detection is both practical. Detecting the warning signs early can help reduce emergency situations involving trees and potentially prevent costly property damage.
Some people opt to take the wait-and-see approach, but if a tree is showing signs of becoming a threat, you don’t want to ignore it.
Risks of Ignoring a Dangerous Tree
Ignoring a dangerous tree is incredibly risky. Dangerous trees can sometimes be unpredictable. You may see a large hanging dead limb but you have no way of knowing when it will fall. In more dangerous circumstances, dead limbs can fall on parked cars, pedestrians, or powerlines.
Homes and buildings next to trees like these are at risk too. Leaning trunks can topple at any moment, crashing into nearby windows or outdoor living structures. Should a risky tree be near a walkway, personal injury is more likely and at minimum, block access.
Damage or injuries involving dangerous trees that have been ignored can complicate your insurance. Northwest Houston is no stranger to severe weather. Storms and saturated ground conditions can increase failure likelihood over time.
Safe Removal Methods for Large Trees
In some cases specialized trimming can help minimize risk. There are situations where removal is the safest option long term. With large trees, safety is even more important to avoid damage to surrounding trees or property.
Controlled removal strategies are key for safe removal of large trees. Some people claiming to know a lot about trees will simply chop it down, without much consideration for surrounding trees, buildings, or the ground beneath.
True tree professionals are well trained in controlled removal strategies like sectional dismantling, using rigging systems and crane support, and staged debris handling. They will have no problem explaining or sharing details of the process with you. Arborists and tree experts use professional equipment coupled with detailed planning to protect homes, landscaping, and nearby structures.
How Monster Tree Manages Large Tree Removals
The tree experts at Monster Tree take great care in managing large tree removals. It’s a complicated process with many moving parts, but our team knows how to manage it and keep you in the loop.
We start with the evaluation process to get context around the situation and an idea of what you’d like done with the tree. Based on that, we’ll conduct site planning, establish safety zones and coordinate with necessary utilities. After the necessary removal is complete, cleanup is done efficiently, with your property in mind.
Throughout the whole of the process, we rely on clear communication, experienced crews, and property-focused decision-making. This holistic approach keeps all necessary parties aware of progress, builds trust, and safeguards the integrity of your surrounding trees and property.
Schedule a Tree Safety Assessment in Northwest Houston
See why Monster Tree is a top choice for tree safety assessments in Northwest Houston by scheduling an inspection today. When you book with us, you can discuss your specific concerns about large or potentially dangerous trees.
Our timely action and professional guidance have helped protect homes and families throughout the Northwest Houston area. When large trees become dangerous, experience the professional arborist difference with Monster Tree.