Is A Hazardous Tree Threatening Your Home?
By: Impeccable Landscapes November 21, 2016
Most of America is basking in the glow of an extended autumn right now. Even though the Spokane, Liberty Lake, and Spokane Valley areas have at least seen a light dusting of snow by this time of year, the current weather is snow-free so far.
With the forecast calling for weather in the low 50s with on and off rain through Thanksgiving, it’s hard to imagine that winter could soon be knocking down tall trees and power lines.
The team at Impeccable Landscapes remembers the way that intense wind and snow storms affected home and business owners in years past, however, our tree removal experts are ready. Keep reading to learn more about how to identify hazardous trees that could be threatening your home or business, as well as why it’s best to call Impeccable Landscapes for tree cutting services before winter sets in.
Insurance Won’t Help With Hazardous Tree Care
One of the first things that you should know is homeowner’s insurance isn’t much help when it comes to tree and shrub care in Spokane. As a homeowner, it’s your responsibility to perform any maintenance tasks that are necessary to protect their home from damage. The insurance company is only responsible for helping to repair your home from damage that couldn’t have reasonably been prevented. This means that if you’re aware of a hazardous tree on your property and don’t hire a professional for tree cutting or removal services, you could find yourself footing the bill for tree removal AND home repairs.
How To Inspect Your Trees
The best way to avoid liabilities associated with tree and shrub care is to make sure you’ve completed a full inspection of all tall trees on your property before winter arrives with ice and heavy snow. Here are some tips for inspecting your trees to determine whether or not you need the help of the tree removal experts at Impeccable Landscapes.
When inspecting any of the below types of trees, be sure to:
- Inspect all sides of the tree, up close and while standing at a distance for perspective
- Take note of cuts in the bark or sections of bark that are peeling
- Use binoculars to make a visual inspection of a tall tree’s crown
Now let’s talk about the warning signs tall trees will give when they’re about to enter the danger zone.
1. Leaning – Most trees don’t grow completely straight up and down unless they were manipulated while they were young. Still, tall trees that are leaning at a very pronounced angle could spell trouble for your home when winter arrives. Look for soil that is cracked or heaving, especially on the opposite side of the tall tree’s lean, and exposed roots.
2. Multiple Trunks – The more times that a tall tree’s trunk splits into multiple directions, the weaker the entire trunk will be in the face of stiff winter winds and heavy snows. Be on the lookout for V-shaped or U-shaped trunks, and cracks that extend deep into or through the tree’s trunk.
3. Construction Damage – Did you make some outdoor home improvements this summer? Perhaps you installed a driveway, built an addition onto your home, or dug up your lawn to install a sprinkler system. It may surprise you to learn that construction projects can damage a tall tree’s feeder roots, destabilizing the entire tree. During your inspection, take special note of damaged bark, reduced or missing foliage, premature autumn colors, and mushrooms or carpenter ants at the base of the tree.
Call Impeccable Landscapes For Tree & Shrub Care This Winter!
Don’t spend your days and nights worrying that the next heavy winter snow will finally be the one that brings down a tall tree onto your home’s roof, your business’s parking lot, or the roof of your car.
If you’ve inspected the tall trees on your property, and noticed some of the warning signs we’ve mentioned in this article, it’s a good idea to call Impeccable Landscapes right away. We can send out an expert tree care technician to confirm or alleviate your fears. Then, we’ll work with you to put together a tree trimming or tree removal plan that will keep your home safe, no matter what winter throws at you.
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