Tree Removal In St Petersburg FL: Why You Need It!

Your backyard tree is sickly and you should be concerned. Its unusual hollow trunk, leanness, or fungus growth needs immediate attention. This tree could be blown over by a storm or windy afternoon. Although some conditions can be treated by professionals, there are 12 signs that you might need to have a tree removal in St Petersburg FL.

These signs may not be obvious at times, so you will need to hire a certified arborist in order to diagnose your tree. You will almost always need to hire someone to remove the tree. While DIY tree removal in St Petersburg FL is possible for healthy trees, it’s not recommended for removing dying or unhealthy trees.

1. The tree is showing signs of decay or damage.

The tree’s structural integrity can be compromised if it is severely damaged or is in decline. It is possible to keep the tree longer than necessary, especially if it is close to your home.

These are signs that your tree is in danger of falling apart or causing damage, so it may be time to say good-bye.

Vertical cracks in trunk
Bark peeling abnormal
Dead branch stubs
Visible or open wounds
Trunk damage severe
Lightning strikes can cause wood to fall apart

It’s a smart idea to have your tree inspected if it took damage from a storm. An certified arborist can assess the extent of damage and determine whether the tree should be removed.

2. The tree is hollow

While the hollow in the trunk of a tree might be a great family photo, it is a sign that your tree is weakening and/or has internal decay.

Hollow cavities may also be exposed by fallen tree limbs, which can make them ideal housing for squirrels and owls. If you notice fluffy heads sticking out of your tree it could be a sign that your tree is hollow.

You don’t have to disturb an owl family or squirrel family by removing their home without getting a second opinion. To determine if the tree is safe to keep, call your local arborist.

Tip:Signs that a tree is hollow are not always obvious. A rubber mallet can be used to tap the tree’s hollow areas (this is known as sounding the tree). While this is an easy way to inspect the tree yourself, it’s a good idea to have a professional tree care specialist test it. They are trained to hear any differences in the sound of the tree.

3. The tree has no branches

Dead branches could indicate that your tree has been affected by a pest or disease. While a few dead branches are not a cause for concern (that’s tree pruning for), a tree with many dead branches could indicate underlying issues.

A branch that isn’t showing signs of life is likely dead. This is how to tell if a branch is still alive .

The bark is still intact and securely attached to the branch
The branch is flexible. A dead branch will snap easily
During the growing season, the branches bear foliage and buds.
The layer beneath the branch is green when you lightly scrape it

Large dead branches can pose a danger to the landscape if they are not removed quickly enough. Dead branches can also be snapped off by a thick layer of snow, much like a toothpick.

Tip: Watch out for branches that rub together. They can cause open wounds and expose the tree to diseases if they rub together.

4. A fungal disease has been identified in the tree.

The mushrooms that grow at the base of the tree are certainly suspicious. The presence of fungi on your tree is a sign of a disease. Although some diseases are treatable, others can cause death to healthy trees or the infected tree.

What are other signs of tree diseases? Let’s take another look.

Wilting, falling or discoloration leaves or needles
Depressions in the wood
Fruits in a sachet
Bleeding cankers
Stunted growth
Pimple-like, tiny spore-producing structures

5. The tree is either dead or dying

An arborist will confirm that your tree is dead and recommend you have it removed. Although a tree care professional might be able to save a tree that is severely damaged, there is no way to bring it back to life.

These are signs that a tree is dead or dying.

During the growing season, there are no leaves or buds
The trunk has a substantial lean
The branches are dead
Evergreen trees may experience a thinned canopy, needle drop or browning at their needle tips.
The tree displays symptoms of disease or insects.

6. The tree is showing significant or new lean

Your tree will naturally have some lean. One side of the tree is likely to be more heavy than the other. If your tree has a dramatic lean or if it suddenly has a lean that is affecting its architecture, you may be able to start to question the health of the tree.

If your tree has a new or unusual lean, have an arborist examine it. It could be decaying, or it may have suffered from storm damage.

7. The tree is located in a dangerous area

Sometimes a tree can be perfectly healthy, but its placement is an issue. A tree expert might recommend that a tree be removed if it is too close to power lines or homes. A dangerous tree falling on the roof or knocking out power is not something homeowners want.

8. The tree is infested with insects.

It was amazing to think that a tiny bug could decimate a huge tree. While insect infestations don’t necessarily kill trees, they can cause serious damage to them.

The banded Ash borer is one example of an insect that can only cause damage to dying or dead trees. If your tree is showing signs of insect damage it could be a sign that your tree has an existing problem that needs to be addressed.

An insect could be responsible if your tree displays the following symptoms:

Silken tents large on branches
Exit holes in round or D-shaped shapes
Tunnels in the wood that are either zigzagged or S-shaped
Visible larvae on the tree
Stunted tree growth
Egg masses
Leaf damage or defoliation

9. The tree is considered invasive.

Although they may look stunning, invasive trees can cause damage to your landscape. They compete with native trees and suppress biodiversity.

These are some examples of invasive trees:

Chinese tallow
Chinaberry trees
Bradford pear trees
White poplar
Mimosa (or silk) tree
Tree of heaven
Black locust

10. Root rot is evident in this tree

Root rot can be treated. An arborist may recommend removal of a tree that is at risk.

It is not easy to spot signs of root rot. Why? Root rot is a condition that prevents you from seeing the roots of the tree underground.

Root rot symptoms include:

Poor growth
Branches that are weak and in decline
Leaves that are wilted or discolored
The canopy should be thinned
Roots sprouting fungus
Cankers and sunken wood

11. Your lawn is being stopped by the tree

Sometimes, despite your best efforts to grow grass under shade trees, it is necessary to remove them to get dense green grass. There are many shade-resistant grass options, but they won’t grow as well in the shade as grass grown in the sun.

If you are happy with the way your grass grows, it is not necessary to remove a shade tree. If you want a carpeted lawn with uniform growth, however, you should remove a shade tree.

12. The crotch of the tree is either a Y or a V.

Multiple trunk trees can pose a danger to safety depending on how they are connected, also known as the “crotch”. Trees with a U-shaped trunk have a stronger connection than those with tight ‘Y’ or ‘V’ crotches. These tight-angled connections can cause tree snapping and may need to be removed.

Do you need a professional?

It is best to have tree removal in St Petersburg FL done by professionals in most cases. It can be dangerous to try and remove a tree that is weak, dead, dying or has structural problems. It is a good idea to contact a professional if a tree grows close to your home or power lines.

If you are removing a healthy tree with no obstacles nearby, DIY tree removal in St Petersburg FL is not possible. A chainsaw is a tool that requires confidence and you must have the proper permits. Although DIY tree removal in St Petersburg FL can be done in certain situations, it is safer to hire a professional tree-removal company.

Contact Better Tree Service And Consultants

Better Tree Service and Consultants are family owned and have been in the Tampa bay tree service industry since 2004. They have over 15 years of recorded excellence and a first-rate service and it’s something we are proud of. Better Tree Service and Consultants’s arborists have been certified by the ISA (International Society of Arboriculture). They are not only exceptional in hard work and dedication, but also that they have the knowledge and experience to ensure that you get the best customer service possible. Check out our gallery here to see some of our work.

Don’t hesitate to reach out for more information on following services in Tampa, Clearwater, Largo, Palm Harbor, and St.Petersburg:

Signs That You Need A Tree Removal In St Petersburg FL