When to Remove a Tree in Raleigh: Key Warning Signs

When a tree shows signs of distress, it can pose significant risks to your home and safety. In Raleigh, NC, severe weather and pests make it crucial to know when to remove a tree. However, the value of mature trees makes this decision difficult for many local property owners. 

This guide will help you identify key signs that it’s time to remove a tree. Understanding these signs allows you to take timely action to prevent damage or hazards, ultimately saving you money in the long run. 

Key Takeaways:

• Visible damage like cracks, dead branches, or storm damage indicates a tree may need removal to prevent injury or property damage.
• Signs of pests, fungal growth, leaf discoloration, or oozing sap can compromise a tree’s health, often necessitating removal.
• Structural issues such as sudden leaning, exposed roots, hollow trunks, or decay can pose safety risks and may require tree removal.
• Trees growing too close to power lines, homes, or roadways, as well as those with a history of falling branches, pose significant safety hazards and may require removal.
• For nuisance trees that cause excessive leaf, fruit, or seed drop, and fill pools with debris or drip sap, removal might be worth considering to reduce maintenance and cleanup efforts.

1. Visible Damage to the Tree

Visible damage is often the first and most obvious sign that a tree may need to be removed. Here’s what to look for:

• Cracks and Splits: Cracks in the trunk or branches can indicate internal weakness and instability.
• Dead or Broken Branches: Large dead branches or broken limbs hanging precariously are red flags, posing a significant risk of falling and causing injury or property damage.
• Storm Damage: Damage from storms, high winds, or lightning can leave trees vulnerable and potentially hazardous.

The best times to inspect your trees for damage are before and immediately after a storm blows through.

2. Signs of Disease or Infestation

Tree diseases, fungal infections, and pest infestations can severely compromise the health and stability of a tree. While many pest and disease problems won’t do significant structural damage to trees, certain pests can completely kill a tree, increasing its chances of toppling over in a storm. Here are some common signs to look for:

Pests:

• Presence of insects such as beetles, borers, or caterpillars.
• Holes in the bark or wood shavings around the base of the tree.
• Sawdust or frass (insect excrement) accumulating near the tree.
• *Galleries (or grooves going in all directions) created by borers, such as those from the emerald ash borer. These occur underneath the bark which can weaken the tree’s structure by stopping nutrient flow throughout the tree.

*The most damaging galleries are those on the trunk. You should never peel tree bark to look for galleries. Rather, if you have any dead or freshly pruned branches, check for galleries under the bark for signs of a borer infestation.

Fungal Growth:

• Mushrooms or conks growing on the trunk or at the base of the tree.
• Mushrooms on the ground, within 10-15 feet of a tree trunk, can indicate root decay.
• Black, white, or other colored fungal growths indicating internal decay.

Leaf Discoloration or Wilting:

• Leaves turning yellow or brown outside of their normal season.
• Premature leaf drop or leaves that appear wilted even with sufficient water.

Cankers and Oozing:

• Sunken or dead areas on the bark (cankers).
• Sap oozing from the trunk, which can indicate disease or pest infestation.

While many pest infestations and fungal infections can be remedied, it often requires continual effort to keep trees healthy. If you don’t want to deal with constant treatment, it may be best to remove the impacted trees to limit or prevent the spread to other trees.

Don’t Worry About Lichen

Many homeowners misidentify lichen as a fungal disease, but it won’t harm your trees. Lichen is actually a harmless combination of fungi and algae that live together symbiotically. Lichen does not penetrate the bark or steal nutrients or water from trees. You’ll recognize lichen by its unique, often crusty or leafy patches in shades of green, gray, or blue on the bark.

3. Structural Instability

When trees are structurally unstable, they pose significant safety risks to people and property. Such trees are more likely to fall or shed large branches, potentially causing severe injuries, property damage, or fatalities. Recognizing early signs of instability is crucial for taking preventive measures and avoiding disasters.

Leaning Trees

A tree that leans significantly, especially if the lean is sudden or has worsened recently, may have root or trunk problems. Saturated soils or standing water can loosen roots, increasing the risk of the tree toppling over during the next high wind event.

Exposed Roots

Visible roots or soil heaving at the base can indicate instability. Exposed roots may no longer support the tree adequately, especially after soil erosion or heavy rains, increasing the risk of falling, particularly in high winds or storms.

Hollow Trunk

A hollow trunk or large cavities weaken the tree’s structure, making it prone to collapse. If the internal support is compromised, the entire tree can fall.

Weak Branch Attachments

Branches that attach to the trunk at narrow or V-shaped angles are prone to breaking. These weak attachments can lead to large branches falling without warning, posing danger to anyone or anything below. Regular pruning can mitigate these risks.

Decay

Tree decay severely weakens a tree’s structure, making it one of the most dangerous issues. Decay often progresses internally, making it hard to detect and causing unexpected collapses. Look for signs of internal decay:

• Soft or Spongy Wood: Areas that feel unusually soft or spongy.
• Mushrooms or Fungi: Growth on the trunk or base.
• Cracks or Cavities: Visible cracks, cavities, or hollow sections.
• Discolored Wood: Wood darker or discolored compared to the rest.
• Strange Bark Patterns: Peeling, cracked, or unusual patterns.
• Dead Branches: Branches that are dead or dying without an apparent external cause.

Unusual Growth Patterns

Trees with irregular growth patterns, such as multiple trunks or oversized branches, often have structural weaknesses. These patterns create weight distribution imbalances, increasing the risk of parts breaking off or the entire tree falling. Early identification and proper pruning can usually correct these issues. However, as a tree matures, these imbalances can become more pronounced and harder to manage, sometimes making removal the best option.

When replacing, choose a tree with a standard growth pattern and one main leader. Regularly prune competing branches to maintain balance and structural stability.

4. Environmental Factors

Environmental factors can compromise a tree’s structural integrity. Here are key factors to consider when deciding if a tree should be removed:

Changes in Soil Level

• Soil Erosion: Erosion can expose roots, destabilizing the tree and increasing its susceptibility to falling.
• Compaction: Heavy machinery or foot traffic can compact soil around the tree’s base, restricting root growth and nutrient uptake, and harming the tree.

Nearby Construction

• Root Damage: Construction activities can damage or sever roots, compromising the tree’s stability and health. Mature trees need ample room for root growth, and new construction often requires the removal of trees that are too close.
• Soil Disturbance: Excavation and grading can alter the soil structure, affecting the tree’s root system and overall stability.

Watering Issues

• Overwatering: Excessive water can lead to root rot, weakening the tree and increasing the likelihood of falling. Ensure trees in wet areas can thrive in those conditions and remove those that prefer drier conditions.
• Drought Conditions: Insufficient water can stress trees, leading to poor health and increased susceptibility to pests and diseases. Ensure trees in dry areas are drought-tolerant, and remove those that are not.

Overcrowding of Trees

• Resource Competition: Trees planted too close together compete for light, water, and nutrients, leading to weakened growth and instability.
• Increased Risk of Pests or Diseases: Overcrowded trees are more susceptible to pests and fungal infections due to reduced airflow and increased humidity.
• Physical Damage: Branches from overcrowded trees can rub against each other, causing wounds that become entry points for pests and diseases.

5. Safety Hazards

Trees growing too close to structures or roadways can quickly become safety hazards, leading to injuries or costly damage to property. Here are important safety hazards to look out for:

Proximity to Power Lines

Trees growing too close to power lines can cause power outages, fires, or electrocution risks. Removal is the best option to prevent the constant need to prune.

Too Close to Homes or Other Structures

Developers and homeowners often plant trees far too close to homes and driveways. As the tree matures, it can pose a significant safety risk if it falls or drops large branches. Remove these trees and place new plantings at least 25 feet away from existing structures.

Interference with Traffic

Trees that obstruct roads, driveways, or walkways can pose significant risks to pedestrians and vehicular traffic. Fallen branches or entire trees can block access and create hazardous conditions.

History of Falling Branches

Trees that have previously dropped large branches are likely to do so again. Regular inspections and either proactive pruning or potential removal can prevent future incidents.

6. Nuisance Trees

While trees add beauty and shade, some can become nuisances due to excessive debris. Here are ways to identify nuisance trees you may want to remove:

• Excessive Leaf Drop: Trees that shed large amounts of leaves on driveways, patios, or lawns create constant yard cleanup. In the fall, leaf drop can clog gutters and drains.
• Fruit and Seed Drop: Trees that produce lots of fruit or seeds can make a mess and attract pests. Some fruits can stain driveways and hardscapes. Spiky seed pods of sweetgum trees and the invasive nature of Bradford Pears and mimosa trees are major nuisances in the Raleigh area.
• Debris in Pools: Trees near pools that drop leaves, seeds, or flowers can cause maintenance issues, clogging filters and dirtying the water.
• Sap Drip: Some trees produce sticky sap that can fall onto cars, driveways, and outdoor furniture, causing damage or requiring frequent cleaning.

If a tree on your property creates more work than it’s worth, it may be best to remove it. Usually, they’re only a problem when planted too close to homes, driveways, or patios. Although we hate to remove healthy trees, we also value your free time, and constant cleanup is less than ideal.

When in Doubt, Consult a Professional

Determining whether a tree should be removed ultimately requires a professional assessment. Local tree care experts can accurately evaluate tree health and stability, identifying signs of disease, decay, and structural instability that might not be obvious to others. Sometimes, selective pruning can make a tree safer or less of a nuisance. Your local tree care experts will only recommend tree removal if absolutely necessary.

At Raleigh Tree Services, we’re passionate about seeing trees and landscapes thrive. If you’re unsure about any of your trees, call us at 919-889-5783 or use our online form to request an inspection today.