Mature trees offer many benefits to homeowners. In addition to their aesthetic beauty, they can reduce cooling costs during the warmer months from the shade they provide. They also help increase property value and curbside appeal. However, they can become a hazard if they die off from old age, extreme seasonal changes, insect infestation, lack of maintenance, storm damage, or disease.

The Beginning Signs of Tree Death

Trees live a long time, and many can outlive an average human life span by many years. Still, sooner or later, all trees die off. In most cases, trees show signs of deterioration long before the whole tree dies, unless it’s destroyed due to storm damage or sudden extreme weather. When trees begin to die off from age, disease, lack of maintenance, or insect infestation, they usually show signs of limb die-off. This may start with a few branches and then expand so that entire limbs remain with leaves. This is an essential time to get the tree evaluated to look for possible causes and see if the die-off can be reversed.

If a tree expert finds there’s disease or an insect infestation or the tree needs maintenance, enhanced pruning and infestation treatment may enable the tree to be saved. If the damage is too extensive or irreversibly progressive, then tree removal is the best option.

Risks With Insect-Infested Trees

Trees that are infested with insects and that are near a house should be treated promptly or removed to prevent the infestation from spreading to other trees. If the affected tree is located close to a residence, it can lead to the infestation infiltrating it and causing extensive damage to wood beams, joists, the roof, and sills.

Dangers of Letting a Dead Tree Remain on Your Property

Dead or dying trees have a significant risk of limb breakage and uprooting because the integrity of the tree is compromised, leaving it weak and dry. If these trees aren’t removed, they can cause serious personal injury and property damage. When a tree uproots or loses limbs, branches can fall onto vehicles or people without warning, potentially injuring occupants. Additionally, if a tree falls onto a house, the resulting structural damage can be extensive and costly.

While homeowner insurance policies often cover some repairs, they usually do not provide sufficient coverage for temporary displacement during repairs, medical expenses from bodily injuries, personal property loss, or utility outages. These unexpected expenses can lead to homeowners facing thousands of dollars in costs that are not covered by their insurance.

How to Get a Free Tree Risk Assessment

If you live in the Medford, Oregon area and have concerns about the age or condition of the trees in your yard and would like to discuss tree removal, give our experts at L&J Tree Service a call. We will gladly provide you with a free tree risk and removal assessment.