Trees add beauty, shade and value to our homes, but they also require care and attention. One of the most common questions we hear at RF Tree Services is, “How do I know when my tree needs professional help?”
The answer is simple: don’t wait until a problem becomes an emergency.
As we move into fall and begin preparing our homes for Thanksgiving, Christmas and the wetter winter months ahead, October is a great time to take a closer look at the trees surrounding your property.
Look Up: Your Trees May Be Telling You Something
Take a few minutes to inspect the trees around your home. Dead or hanging branches, large cracks in the trunk, mushrooms growing around the base, exposed roots or a tree that has suddenly begun leaning can all be signs that a professional evaluation is needed.
Pay particular attention to trees near your roof, driveway, porch, walkways and areas where family and guests may gather during the holidays.
Winter in Alabama can bring plenty of rain, and saturated soil can create additional concerns around trees that are already weakened or unstable. When soft, wet ground is combined with strong winds, existing root or structural problems may become more serious.
After periods of heavy rain, wind or severe weather, look for broken limbs, new leaning, disturbed soil around the roots or other noticeable changes.
Pruning Is More Than Cutting Branches
Proper pruning can help maintain a tree’s health, structure and appearance. It can also help remove questionable limbs before winter weather arrives.
Fall is a good time to notice branches rubbing against your roof, hanging over gutters or extending above driveways and outdoor living areas. With leaves falling and seasonal rain increasing, keeping limbs and debris away from the home can also help reduce unnecessary wear and clogged gutters.
However, removing too many branches or making the wrong cuts can damage a tree. Professional tree care can help determine what actually needs to be removed without unnecessarily stressing the tree.
What About a Tree That Needs to Come Down?
Tree removal is sometimes necessary when a tree is dead, severely damaged, diseased or creating a significant hazard. Because removing a large tree can be dangerous, it is a job best left to trained professionals with the proper equipment and experience.
At RF Tree Services, our goal is not simply to remove trees. We want to help homeowners make informed decisions and protect the homes and families beneath them.
A Little Prevention Goes a Long Way
Before the holiday lights go up and family starts arriving, take a walk around your property.
Look down at the roots. Look around the trunk.
And most importantly, look up.
Addressing a questionable tree or limb now may help prevent costly emergency work later, particularly once winter rain, wind and storms arrive.
I began working in the tree industry in 1988, and after decades of experience, one lesson remains true: tree problems are much easier to handle before Mother Nature makes the decision for you.
This holiday season, give yourself one less thing to worry about by making sure the trees surrounding your home are ready for the months ahead.
Have a tree you’re concerned about? RF Tree Services is here to provide experienced tree-care advice and help you determine the safest next step.
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