Reasons for Removing a Tree

Trees play a vital role in the landscape environment, providing beauty, shade, shelter and privacy. Unfortunately, there are a number of reasons why it may be necessary to have them removed, mainly based on safety concerns:

• Tree is infested with pests or disease
• Tree is dying or dead
• Land Clearing for Development
• Tree root system threatens foundations, driveways or paths
• Tree has major storm or lightning damage
• Tree's dangerous proximity to buildings or power lines

Diseased and Dead Trees

There are a wide range of pests such as borers and termites, along with fungal and bacterial infestations, that a tree may suffer from. Symptoms of poor health include damaged or discoloured foliage, dry leaves, unseasonal leaf loss, cracked trunks; and dry, bare branches. A qualified arborist can supply an assessment of the tree's health, and recommend a course of treatment.

Depending on a problem tree's diagnosis, a range of treatments may be available including fertilisation, soil conditioning, remedial pruning, or the application of fungicides and pesticides.

Unfortunately, fatally diseased, pest infested, dying and dead trees will require removal, which is best undertaken sooner than later. The longer a tree deteriorates, the higher the risk of accident or damage from falling branches; the greater the difficulty of removal; and the higher the cost.

Pest Infestations

Termite or White Ant tree infestations are commonplace, with the termite nest often found on the tree trunk or branches, in the centre of the tree, in the base of the tree or underground.

Often, termite infestations go unnoticed, as the tree appears to be perfectly healthy. However over time, serious damage can be done to the tree's structural integrity, which in turn compromises safety.

An active termite infestation is not a death sentenance for a tree, as Pest Controllers can apply eradication treatments which are usually very successful, particularly when monitored over time.

Severe termite damage may weaken a tree's structure and stability to the point where it becomes dangerous. In addition, the termites may use the tree as a base, spreading to other trees and nearby buildings. At this point, removal may be the best option.

Land Clearing

There are a wide variety of residential and commercial Land Clearing projects where tree removal is required. Local Councils have restrictions on the removal of many species of trees, and an application for Tree Removal will need to be submitted to council prior to works commencing.

Tree Developes a Lean

Most trees grow vertically towards the sun. If a tree suddenly begins to lean in a certain direction, it's a strong sign of root problems. A qualified arborist should be contacted immediately, especially if the lean is directed towards buildings or public areas. Root problems may be rectified, otherwise immediate tree removal is recommended.

Tree Root Encroachment

Large trees are notorious for causing structural damage when growing too close to paths, driveways, retaining walls and buildings. Initially, cracks began to appear in paved areas, concrete floors, bitumen or concrete driveways, and walls, as tree roots work their way under the surface applying considerable upwards pressure as they grow.

Tree roots are also known to penetrate stormwater, sewer or septic systems resulting in blocked pipes and damage to underground tanks.

Left unattended, roots often break through paving & pathways resulting in trip hazards.

Tree root invasion can quickly become a serious problem requiring extensive and expensive structural repairs. Installing a root barrier is often an effective solution to blocking the progress of invasive roots.

Depending on the size of the tree and proximity to structures, tree removal is occassionally required to rectify the situation and prevent further damage.

In may be worth noting that the reduction of a tree's root system, especially that of the Eucalyptus, can increase the likelihood of the tree toppling in high wind, especially during storms when the ground is soft.

Storm Damage

South East Queensland is renowned for wild summer storms, many of which leave trees stripped of foliage, with broken branches and torn major limbs.

Being so tall, trees are natural lightning rods. 50% of trees struck by lightning die immediately, with a large proportion of the remainder succumbing to disease, pests or ill-health shortly after.

Unfortunately, Mother Nature can often deal a cruel blow, and for those trees that are not worth saving, removal is the only option.

Depending on the size of the tree and proximity to structures, tree removal is occassionally required to rectify the situation and prevent further damage.

Proximity to Buildings and Power Lines

During strong winds and storms, a tree's foliage acts as a huge sail, with increadble forces swaying the tree back & forth loosening the soil around the base. With such a small, shallow root systems, Gum or Eucalyptus trees are prone to toppling over causing extensive damage to buildings, and above ground power and telecommunication systems.

The risk of a tree falling over in strong wind increases when the ground is wet, or the root system is damaged, decaying or diseased.