Trees can live an incredibly long time—some may live over 4,000 years! But as with any living being, there comes a time when a tree enters the final stage of life.

Some people may not realize when a tree is dying, which can be dangerous because when a tree dies the branches and even the entire tree can collapse. That’s why it’s important to recognize the common signs that a tree in your yard needs to be removed.

Here are the tell-tale signs that you need tree removal in Venice, FL so you can keep your home and your family safe from a falling tree.

1. You Notice Fungi at the Base of the Trunk

Have you noticed fungi, such as mushrooms, growing at the base of the tree trunk?

You may not think anything of it, as seeing mushrooms growing around a yard is relatively normal. But when you see this growth appear at the base of a tree, it’s a bad sign.

This is because fungi grow when the roots of the tree are rotting. Your tree is in the process of decaying and, unfortunately, there’s nothing you can do to save the tree once this process has started.

When the roots start decaying, the rest of the tree will be quick to follow, making it unstable and a danger to your home. When you notice fungi pop up, it’s time to call a tree removal service.

It’s also important to treat this problem right away to prevent the fungi from spreading to other trees or plants in your yard. If you don’t act fast enough, you may be dealing with several trees with rotting roots and fungi.

2. The Bark Is Decaying

Bark is similar to skin in that it can show the underlying health of a tree. Healthy, strong-looking bark typically indicates a healthy tree. But if your tree has bark with cracks in it, or it’s missing a lot of bark, that’s a sign your tree is unhealthy and dying.

Cracked sections of bark, also known as cankers, are likely to break off or completely split. This can cause a threat because it makes the tree and the branches more unstable, and more likely for branches to fall.

If you’re unsure of your tree’s bark health, you can perform something called a scratch test.

This involves removing a few pieces of bark from the base of the tree and examining the underlying flesh of the trunk. If the trunk is green, it means the tree and the bark is healthy. If the underlying flesh is brown and looks dry, that’s a clear sign of decay.

3. Dead Branches

Dead branches aren’t usually the first sign of tree decay, but it may the first time you notice that a tree is dying.

When a tree starts decaying at the roots, this decay travels through the tree leading to dead branches. Dead branches will fall from the tree and can cause damage to your property or even harm someone if they happen to be standing under the tree.

Trees will shed branches when they are sick to extend their life. By shedding branches, they are making it a bit easier to take care of the tree as a whole by making it smaller and more condensed.

However, if a branch on your tree falls due to decay, it’s time to remove the tree altogether. This is because your tree has entered the last stage of its life and will continue to shed branches, posing a threat to you and your property.

Also, dead branches can spread disease to other parts of your property if they aren’t removed right away. So if you notice a fallen branch, be sure to contact a tree removal service to dispose of the branch and remove the rest of the tree.

4. Branches Without Buds

Because a dead branch poses such a risk to your property, it’s important to keep a close watch for signs that a branch is dying before it actually falls. One common sign of a dying branch is if it doesn’t have buds, or is rapidly losing buds.

Of course, trees often lose buds during the fall and winter seasons, but in Venice, FL where there isn’t much of a winter at all, your trees should not be losing a lot of leaves.

If you notice leaves are missing from a branch even though the rest of the tree has plenty of buds, that branch is likely dying and should be removed before it falls.

5. Trunk Health

A leaning tree is possibly the biggest threat to a property because there’s a higher risk of the entire tree falling as opposed to a single branch.

A tree trunk that starts leaning heavily after strong winds or a storm can indicate that the roots are weak and it’s just one more bad storm away from collapsing. If a tree in your yard is leaning, especially following strong winds, it needs to be removed before it collapses.

Another sign of poor trunk health is if there are holes or cavities in the trunk. These holes may seem harmless, but they typically indicate a branch dying and falling. If you notice a hole in your tree, you should have a professional come out and take a close look at the health of your tree before it’s too late.

Tree Removal in Venice, FL: Don’t Ignore the Signs

If you notice any of these signs that a tree might be a danger to you and your neighbors, don’t ignore them. Waiting too long to get tree removal in Venice, FL can be dangerous for anyone in the area and can cost a lot with massive home repairs.

Do you think you have a tree that needs to be removed? We’ve got you covered! Contact us today to learn more about our services.