At this point, anyone who’s lived in Florida for a year or longer has their own hurricane season routine. Whether you’re in the proactive group whose preparations begin in July or you prefer to wait until a hurricane is announced before getting supplies, we’ve all got our to-do lists. Over the years, we’ve noticed that too many homeowners’ to-do lists don’t include something that could impact their property immensely, either costing or saving thousands of dollars in repairs: pre-hurricane property maintenance. We’ve all seen plants destroyed and trees brought down by hurricanes, and it’s critical for homeowners to know what they can do to help prevent these accidents from occurring on your property. That starts with inspecting your trees to determine whether they’re healthy and strong or half-decayed. Today, we’re going over the biggest signs that a tree on your property should be professionally removed. Let’s dive in.

Trees have a language of their own – outward signs that, if you know what to look for, clearly communicate their needs and health levels. One of the biggest ways this manifests is in tree bark. Of course, virtually no tree has a perfectly smooth trunk; small breakages and irregularities are completely normal. That said, if you notice any deep gashes or large cracks in your tree’s trunk, it’s a big sign of internal decay. A weakened tree trunk is something you should absolutely have checked out by a professional before hurricane season; those trees are highly susceptible to falling down in strong winds. No worries, though: a trusted property maintenance professional can advise you about the best course of action.

This may sound a little counterintuitive, but it’s completely true: be happy to see bugs on your tree. Check out the roots and trunks of each tree in your yard. If you spot bees, worms, butterflies, small birds, or any other critters, you can rest assured that your tree is probably in really good shape. When a tree is in decay, birds and birds are the first to go. If a tree on your property is looking unusually bare of critters, it can be an early sign of decay (and a big sign that removal is likely on the horizon).

“Getting to the root is the issue” is a popular saying for a reason: your trees’ roots can tell you a ton about their health and overall state. This includes, as we mentioned, the presence or absence of bugs near them. Another red flag to be on the lookout for is gray or blackened roots, roots with big holes, flakes, or gashes in their bark, and – probably the most telling – mushroom growth surrounding your roots and the base of your tunk. If you’ve never seen mushrooms growing near your roots before and are seeing them now, call a professional right away. Fungal growth is a telltale sign of tree decay.

Just like your tree’s trunk, its branches have a lot to say about its overall health. To inspect your branches, look up: take a look at the ones surrounding the crown of your tree. If you notice a lot of dead branches high up on your tree, it’s a sign that nutrients aren’t being transported effectively to your tree’s highest points, which in turn points to decay. Similarly, if you notice dead or sparse branches hanging on for dear life throughout your tree, it’s also a sign of decay. One or two dead branches are probably no big cause for concern; several, in various areas of you tree or in its crown, are.

We hope these signs that a tree on your property should be professionally removed are helpful as you conduct an inspection of your property. If you notice any number of the signs above, definitely call a professional. With hurricanes around the corner, it’s important to leave no stone unturned in your property maintenance. It’s much better to be proactive now, carrying out a safe tree removal if necessary, than to risk costly and dangerous damage to your property in a hurricane. It’s also a good idea to get your property inspected by a trusted professional, just in case. To get a free quote on any of your property maintenance and tree services, don’t hesitate to click here for a free quote.