Though trees are mostly beautiful in our landscapes, we can be caught unaware of the risks associated with defective and hazardous trees. Hazardous trees can cause personal injury and property damage. Therefore, it is important to periodically perform a hazardous tree assessment of your property. And with proper corrective action, you may be able to protect your property and save lives.
Define Hazardous
A tree becomes “hazardous” when any of it’s structural defects are likely to cause failure to all or part of the tree, which could then strike a “target.” A target can be a vehicle, building, or a place where people gather such as a park bench, picnic table, street, or backyard. Assessing the risk to these “targets” involves understanding the “hazards” concealed within a particular tree. If you need professional hazardous tree assessment, call the professionals at ATP.
Knowing What to Look For
Hazardous defects are visible signs that the tree is failing. There are generally seven main types of tree defects and these defects may appear individually or in combination:
- dead wood
- weak branch unions
- cracks in limbs or trunk
- decay
- cankers
- root problems
- poor tree architecture
Not All Defects are Hazardous
A tree with defects is not hazardous, however, unless some portion of it is within striking distance of a target.
Mitigating Hazardous Trees
Corrective actions begin with a thorough examination of the trees on your property. Call Atlanta Tree Professionals for a free assessment and evaluation. If hazardous tree conditions exists, there are three recommended options for correcting the problem:
- move the target
- prune the tree
- remove the tree
Learn More About the Hazards of Your Trees
Call the pros at Atlanta Tree Professionals to learn more about the health and hazards of your trees. ATP brings quality tree care service to your GA home. We are your tree service experts serving Marietta, Roswell, Sandy Springs, Alpharetta and north metro Atlanta.
Need Service Now? Call ATP (404) 644-8733
Have a question about your trees or need service now? Call Atlanta Tree Professionals today. The wet and soggy winter weather we’ve had could put your trees and property at risk.
Resource: identifying hazardous trees.
