Danger in the Trees

One of the most beautiful sights in our southern cities are the awe inspiring large trees that line many of our streets. Yet, these majestic beauties mask a hidden danger. As leaves begin to appear on large oaks and other deciduous trees, strong winds have more of an increased impact on the stability of the tree than in the winter when there are no leaves. This is called the “sail effect” because the leaves catch more of the wind and create more stress on the trunk and root system. When high winds are couple with heavy rains, the route system of these trees can be really tested. These large trees can weigh 80-100 tons each and can easily crush a car or home.

If you own property with these large trees it is wise to have a professional arborist inspect your trees for root decay and dying or diseased wood in the trunk. Sometimes you can suspect a diseased tree by observing areas of dead branches. But sometimes issues with the root system are harder to detect. Evidence of a dangerous tree may be the growth of large fungus (sometimes called wood conchs) on the side of a tree.

Please take special precautions around these stunning trees to avoid loss of property or even lives.