Owen Tree Service
Hazardous Trees
Owen Tree Service: Your Trusted Arborists in Michigan
Recognizing and Managing Hazardous Trees: A Guide for Property Owners
Tree health and structural integrity are not always the same. A tree that appears healthy may still pose a hazard. Even a tree with a full, lush canopy can be structurally weak, making it important to have mature trees inspected by a certified arborist. Falling branches, even small ones, can cause property damage, emphasizing the need for proactive assessment.
As a property owner, you are responsible for the trees on your land. Neglecting a hazardous tree can lead to liability for injuries or damages it causes. At Owen Tree Service, our certified arborists are trained to spot the signs of hazardous trees. While pruning can sometimes mitigate risks, cabling or bracing may also help stabilize a tree. In more severe cases, tree removal may be necessary.
Trees face threats from insects, diseases, and natural forces. Even healthy trees can topple in strong winds. Although tree hazards are sometimes unpredictable, arborists can assess a tree’s structural integrity and risk level. At Owen Tree Service, we use tools like the Resistograph® to detect internal decay or structural defects that aren’t visible from the outside.
Hazardous Tree Assessment Guide
Here are key factors that certified arborists consider when assessing a potentially hazardous tree. While this list isn’t exhaustive, it provides an overview of the signs arborists look for when evaluating tree failure risks.
- Dead tree roots increase the likelihood of structural failure. While a tree may survive with some dead roots, its overall stability is compromised.
- Trees cannot repair injuries. Instead, they use a process called 'compartmentalization of decay in trees' (CODIT), which walls off the damaged area to prevent further decay. Over time, accumulated injuries and decay can weaken the tree’s structure.
It’s often more cost-effective to remove a hazardous tree before it fails. Waiting for a tree to fall increases the risk to people and property, and emergency removal services can be more expensive than scheduled removals.
Hazardous trees also pose legal liabilities. Failing to inspect trees for hazards can be considered negligence, potentially leading to legal action if an injury or property damage occurs. Regular inspections by a Certified Arborist can help identify hazardous trees, plan for timely removal, and prevent costly emergencies. These inspections also allow property owners to budget for tree care and take necessary actions to keep trees healthy and safe.
Counties we Serve
Owen Tree Service is affiliated with the following tree care industry organizations
What Our Customers Are Saying
Gayle Rickert
Responsiveness, Punctuality, Quality, Professionalism
Trish did an exceptional job of assessing the tree removal, trimming, diseased/dead trees, and brush removal on our property. She explained the processes clearly and in detail. Trish is an extremely knowledgeable arborist. I highly recommend her to give a comprehensive review & estimate of your landscape needs.
Tonia Burns
Responsiveness, Professionalism
Called about having a 17ft tree placed in our yard. Received a call back from Trish you was incredibly gracious with her time and information. Unfortunately, trees that are over 6ft can't be planted by them. However, Trish gave me more than enough info to be confident about having a tree of that sized planted. I'd definitely call and use them for any other future services.
Linda Janiszewski
Punctuality, Quality, Professionalism, Value
We are very happy with the work they did. We had a large birch tree trimmed that had power lines on each side. There were 4 workers and they worked well together as a team to get the job done. They cleaned up the yard around the tree and did a professional job. They also asked us if we liked it before they left. We would highly recommend Owen Tree Service!
Andrew Lapeer
I hired Owen to do a tree removal and some pruning for me. Extremely happy with the care they used on my property. I am also using them for my lawn fertilization this year. Arborist seems very knowledgeable.
Dean Hartman - Berrien County Drain Commission
Owen Tree Service provided a great value and service to our community. They helped us complete a difficult task of approximately 50 miles of needed treatment almost seamlessly. They were very easy to work with, followed and complimented our directive well. The owners along the areas that were serviced, passed on very nice regards for their team. We were very impressed with Owen Tree Service (as well as the community) and look forward to using their services again this coming year and beyond.
Tyler Smith
I have used Owen for over 10 years. They take care of my Apple tree, shrubs, lawn irrigation and weed/fertilizer. I have always found them to be price competitive, thoughtful and timely. 5 stars from me!