With the recent storms here in Minnesota (and the rumors of a few more hefty ones on the way) we thought we’d talk about the kind of damage requires emergency tree service.

Some of these may be storm-related and some are not. In any case, it’s good to be familiar with instances where you might need to call in the professionals.

SIGNS THAT YOU NEED EMERGENCY TREE SERVICE

Deciding if you need emergency tree service is not always easy. It can be hard to determine what leaning is normal or to spot broken branches through the leaves. Here are a few signs of damage that needs to be taken care of immediately and tips for spotting those hazards:

ABNORMAL LEANING

Any type of new lean – especially if it is over a pathway or structure – should be looked at by an arborist. A good rule of thumb is that any tree with a 15% lean from vertical requires emergency services.

DECAYING ROOTS

If you see any root decay or damage, call an arborist ASAP. The root system is the structural support system for your tree; if there is damage, a strong wind could cause some serious damage.

FUNGUS AT THE ROOTS

While not always, mushrooms growing at the base of your tree can be a sign of root disease and internal rot. An arborist should evaluate this because, like mentioned above, the roots are your tree’s support system.

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TOO CLOSE TO POWER LINES

The space needed between trees and power lines might be larger than you expected. During wet weather, electricity can arc as much as ten feet to wet tree foliage and ground out causing power failure or property damage. Do not attempt to trim or prune these trees on your own! Arborists go through extensive training to make sure they do this job safely.

DEAD BRANCHES

There are two main things you need to consider when it comes to dead branches:

• Large dead branches need to be removed quickly. A strong wind could send them crashing into people or property.

• If all your dead branches are on one side of the tree, you have a major structural problem. The balance on the tree is compromised, which makes it very dangerous.

HOLLOW TRUNK

The outside of a tree can live longer than the inside if the trunk. A tree can live with some degree of hollowing out, but a good rule of thumb is if one-third is hollow, it should be watched closely or removed.

TRUNK DAMAGE

Cracks and cavities in the trunk or large pieces of missing bark are indications that the tree is no longer structurally sound. An arborist can determine if these are serious threats to the tree.

If you are still unsure about the hazard your damaged trees are causing, it is better to be safe than sorry. Give us a call about emergency tree services in St. Paul. We can come out and give you a free estimate and gauge the severity of the situation.