Should You Remove That Tree?
Trees can be a great landscaping feature for your property and may even increase its value, but sometimes they can be a nuisance or outright dangerous. As sad as it is, sometimes circumstances demand that a tree on your property needs to go. For one, it does you no good to have a tree that could potentially damage your property (or lower its value), and that goes double for one that poses a danger to your family.
So how do you know if it’s time to cut that venerable old oak tree down? There are going to be two things to consider: the home itself and the safety of others either inside it or around it.
The first question is, does the tree threaten the home? Even if it doesn’t right now, could it in the future? As you can see in these videos, we’re removing a tree from one of our properties because its roots are damaging the foundation of the home. That’s a very cut-and-dry case of a tree needing to be removed, but others aren’t quite so clear. For example, does a tree have thick, heavy limbs overhanging the home? Your calculus should always include future eventualities: trimming those limbs is going to be a lot cheaper than replacing your roof if one should fall during a storm.
Also worth pointing out is that removal may not always be necessary if it’s limbs that post the danger. A trim may do just fine. For roots and foundation or plumbing issues, then removal is probably the way to go. Another example is a tree whose limbs overhang your neighbor’s driveway or property. If a limb should fall and damage a vehicle or their home, if the tree is on your property, you’ll likely be on the hook for damages. Again, the cost of removal or trimming is much cheaper than the alternative here.
Does the tree pose a danger to your children playing outside or to anyone who might otherwise be on the property? Remember, you’re likely to be held accountable if a falling branch were to injure, say, the mailman or UPS guy. Personal safety should always be paramount anyway, and remember that roots growing under the street and cracking the asphalt are your responsibility as well.
Always get rid of a tree if it’s dead. If a dead tree damages your property, in many states homeowner’s insurance won’t cover the damages.
Finally, always hire a professional who’s insured up to at least a million dollars. Tree removal is dangerous work that requires a lot of skill and equipment, and it’s not the sort of thing you should attempt on your own. Even in the hands of skilled professionals, accidents can happen so you need to make sure the removal service is insured. Even if you know how to do it yourself, you’re probably not insured, so always hire a professional.
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– Get It Right Solutions