The US Forest Service estimates that 36 million trees die annually in the United States. Various factors can cause dead trees, but they can be highly unpleasant regardless of the source.

In fact, many homeowners don’t know what to do with a dead tree. Others can’t tell whether a tree is dead and often rely on tree services providers to tell them.

Signs a tree is on its deathbed

Leaves are the first sign that something is wrong with a tree. You should use eco-friendly tree care techniques if the tree can be spared. If it cannot, you must find an environmentally friendly solution to remove it.

Shedding leaves during the off-season is a prominent symptom, although not every sick tree will lose its leaves immediately.

The sickness can appear in discolored spots, flaws, or holes in the leaves. If leaf pigment changes prematurely, such as in the summer, it indicates wilt or fungal infection.

It is natural for some leaves to have holes due to insect feeding, but if many leaves have been damaged, the tree may be infested with parasites.

Other symptoms include rigid yet weak branches, a fractured or otherwise damaged trunk, and an invasion of fungi.

If the disease is not too severe, an arborist may be able to save the tree. However, if the condition has spread too much, it may be too late.

How to tell if a tree is truly dead.

Sometimes, it is not immediately obvious that a tree is genuinely dead. Even if it is empty of leaves and buds, it may still be alive or simply dormant, waiting to recover.

An excellent technique to test is to see if the bark and branches have become fully brittle. If they have, it clearly indicates that the tree is beyond saving.

Another prominent symptom is when it begins to lean. Every tree leans somewhat, as trees rarely grow entirely straight.

As a tree dies, its roots shrink and lose their grasp on the ground, causing it to lose equilibrium. Once it begins to lean at an unnatural angle, it is most likely dead and must be removed for safety reasons. Bringing such a tree down can take surprisingly little, such as a strong wind, so move with haste.

How to go about removing a dead tree

Even if you believe a tree is dead, an arborist’s professional judgment may still be valuable. You could be mistaken, and the tree could still be alive, or removal may not be required because the roots are still intact.

So, even if you feel a tree is dead, don’t rush to remove it. Instead, get in touch with an experienced professional and have them inspect the tree first.

Once the arborist confirms that the tree is dead, or you have to remove it, contact a professional tree removal company.

When hiring a removal company, you should expect to pay for the services.

The expenses of tree removal might rise based on a variety of factors. The more impediments there are, and the larger the tree, the more time and money required to remove it.

Using a cherry picker, a tree-caring professional will cut down large trees in stages. They begin by clipping the main limbs and cutting the trunk into segments to avoid upsetting the surroundings. The workers may have to climb the tree to work more efficiently if there are too many barriers.

Due to the dangers involved in tree removal, you should take your time and ensure that the professional you hire is experienced and has the right removal tools.

Many people go for the cheapest removal companies, but this isn’t the right way to go about it. This is because cheap contractors often won’t know the proper way to remove a tree, which puts you and your property at significant risk.

There is also the risk of the cheap contractor not having the right tree removal tools, which means that they not only risk not properly removing the tree but also risk the tree falling on your property, which, as you can tell, is highly risky.

What to do after removing a tree

After removing a tree, you can request that the removal company process it in a wood chipper and haul away the resulting debris. However, this results in additional costs.

If the tree is small, a solid waste firm can come and collect the fragments of the dead tree. It is important to contact your local solid waste business to see if they can schedule pickup before the removal process begins.

If the tree is tiny, you can remove the stump yourself. Small trees typically have fewer root systems, and you can simply pull the stumps up. Larger trees normally require you to grind down the stump. The removal company you hire can do either of these at an additional expense.

Tricks to avoid surprises with dead trees

To avoid having a tree surprise you when it dies, you should take good care of it. As a rule of thumb, you should regularly inspect it and fix any issues it might be having.

When you are doing the inspections, be on the lookout for diseases, dying areas, and so on.

When you notice a problem with a tree, let an experienced tree professional look at it. They will advise you on what to do with it.

Parting shot

Removing dead trees might be an unexpected inconvenience. However, this does not reduce the fact that it is required if it has the potential to damage property or create accidents.

Even if you live in a well-spaced neighborhood, a dead tree is a hazard as it can collapse at any time. This can result in the death of a pet, livestock, or, worse, a human.

It is your job as the property owner to prevent this from happening.

When hiring tree removal companies Bethesda, hire experienced ones who will give you a great experience.