When To Cut Down A Tree: 13 Ways To Tell
Is it time for removal, or are you barking up the wrong tree?
The best time to cut down a tree is in winter or early spring, when trees and other plants are dormant.
There are many reasons to cut down a tree, from safety concerns to tree health.
Cracks, seams, dead branches, or large wounds are signs you should remove your tree.
Saying goodbye is never easy, especially when it’s to your faithful oak tree that’s been around since you moved in. Unfortunately, though, there are times when it’s necessary for your landscape and your safety. It can be difficult to determine when to cut down a tree.
So, here is a list of the top signs your tree needs to be cut down.
1. The Tree Is Too Close for Comfort
When trees get close to your home or other structures around your property, this can lead to serious issues. Is the tree really close to your home? There’s a possibility that its roots can uplift the foundation, so you’ll want to address the issue immediately.
Even if the tree isn’t right up against your house, branches touching the siding can cause mold growth. Keep up your tree care routine and regularly trim to avoid any trouble. Trees can also block the sun from reaching a portion of your home and cause other mold problems, which can be pretty costly to fix.
In general, a tree should be planted between 10 to 30 feet away from your house to avoid potential damage.
| Tree Height (In Feet At Full Maturity) | Distance From House (In Feet) |
|---|---|
| Under 30 | 10 |
| 30-70 | 15-20 |
| Over 70 | 20-30 |
2. You Notice Weak or Dead Tree Leaves and Bark
A diseased tree will often reveal telltale signs. Diseases don’t just interfere with your tree’s beauty—they can also weaken the tree, making it more prone to falling down or losing limbs despite your best tree care habits. In some cases, the disease is manageable, and you may be able to remove the affected portions through tree trimming.
However, if the disease is severe, you should look into cutting down the tree. An ISA-certified arborist or a tree removal company can assess the tree and how badly the disease affects it.
3. The Trunk Is Hollow
Noticing cavities or hollowness in a tree trunk is usually bad news. These signal problems with the tree’s structural integrity, meaning it’s on the decline.
Even with the best tree care routine, a weak trunk can’t support all its limbs properly, which could spell danger for your home or your family. Branches or even large limbs could fall at a moment’s notice.
4. There’s a Growing Number of Dead or Dying Tree Branches
Dead branches here and there are part of a tree’s natural growth cycle. However, if you can’t seem to keep up with the dying portions of your tree, this is a bad sign.
Large, dead branches near the crown of a dying tree are especially dangerous, as these can fall hard and suddenly. As a general rule, if over half of the tree is in bad shape, then it’s time to take it down.
5. The Tree Might Fall in a Short Time
Does looking at the tree make you a little nervous? That instinct usually isn’t wrong. When a tree starts to gradually lean to one side, or just change its shape, there’s a chance it could fall.
Since this can do some severe damage to your home, it’s best to err on the side of caution and get rid of it.
6. A Large Limb Looks Like It Might Come Down
Even if the tree itself doesn’t come down, large branches can do considerable damage if they fall. If you notice large portions of the tree that are leaning or sagging, don’t wait to remove them.
7. You’ve Seen the Most Damage After a Storm
Storm damage can seriously traumatize a tree—and it may or may not be repairable. When this happens, you may be able to trim and prune off the damaged portions.
However, if you’re unhappy with the tree’s look afterward, you might decide to have it taken down. A local tree service can evaluate the damage and help you save the tree if it’s possible.
8. There’s No More Healthy, New Green Life
A tree with no fresh, new growth visible is likely in bad shape. Weak and brittle branches, dead or browning leaves, and a trunk that isn’t what it used to be are all signs that a tree is beyond repair.
Compare the tree to the other ones around your property—how does it stack up in terms of branch and leaf health? If the other healthy trees around are thriving while this one seems to be dying, removing your dead tree may become your only option.
9. The Tree Is Dead
A dead tree should not remain on your property, even if it appears structurally sound. Dead trees can become a bed and breakfast for bugs. More often than not, the constant munching will eventually take the tree down.
10. Most Tree Companies Have Told You It Needs to Go
If you’ve done your due diligence and had multiple experts out to take a look, chances are the majority verdict is the correct one. Even if it hurts to get rid of the tree, always listen to the professionals.
Homeowners are responsible for their own trees, so if anything does happen, you might be liable for the damage.
11. Insects Have Done Too Much Damage
There are many types of insects that can harm trees. However, wood-burrowing bugs typically cause the most damage and can kill trees. Bark beetles, emerald ash borers, and locust borers are just a few invasive species that cause detrimental damage to trees.
Discolored leaves, holes in the bark, or sawdust can be signs that a tree needs to be cut down due to insect infestation. Have your tree checked by an arborist to determine if it’s too late to save it.
12. You Have An Invasive Tree Species
Another factor in when to take a tree down is if it’s an invasive species. Trees that are not native to the area can grow more rapidly and choke out other trees and plants from getting water, nutrients, and sunlight.
This has a significant impact on the ecosystem and affects wildlife. Birds and critters that depend on native trees for food and shelter can suffer because of the invasive tree species taking over.
If you aren’t sure if the species is invasive, a certified arborist can identify the tree type and if it needs to be cut down.
13. Personal Taste or Style
Most trees can last decades (if not centuries), but that doesn’t mean you have to keep it. Personal taste and preferences change over time. That massive oak tree that your kids used to climb on may now be a burden to maintain as you age in your home. Talk to a professional landscaper about your options for keeping or removing a tree and how that fits into your broader vision for your yard.
Hiring Quick and Efficient Tree Removal Services
If you’re wondering how to cut a tree down safely, the best way is to hire a pro to do the job. Whether you need emergency tree removal, proactive service, or just an evaluation from a certified arborist, it’s important to seek an experienced professional.
Trees are unpredictable, so large removal jobs don’t make a safe or suitable DIY. Get in touch with a local tree expert to learn more about your options.
Frequently Asked Questions
The dormant season between winter and late spring, when all the leaves have fallen off, is the best time of year to cut down a tree. Frozen earth is actually preferable for tree removal because it won’t disturb the surrounding landscape as much as it would if you removed the tree during warmer months.
If you don’t cut down a dead, dying, or diseased tree, it can become a nesting place for pests like mosquitos, bees, beetles, wasps, fly larvae, and more. Some pests will live in the tree, while others will feed off the decaying wood. Unhealthy trees are also more likely to fall over, potentially injuring people and causing damage to your property.
Since each tree is different, it’s impossible to say how long a dead tree can remain on your property. While it could be days, months, or even years, it’s highly likely that, at some point, the tree will fall. In the meantime, dying or dead trees can become a haven for pests, so it’s best to have them removed sooner rather than later.
Trees are beneficial to the environment and wildlife. If you have an old tree, but it’s healthy, it may be best to avoid cutting it down. However, if it’s showing signs of bug infestation, disease, or is potentially hazardous, then you should contact a tree removal company to cut it down.
If you are unsure whether you should have it removed or not, then speak with an arborist to determine what is best.
- How to Save a Dying Tree: 8 Tips to Try
- How to Tell if a Tree Is Going to Fall: 5 Warning Signs to Look Out For
- All Good in the Wood: Top 5 Signs of a Healthy Tree
- How to Straighten a Tree That’s Leaning in Your Yard
- 7 Reasons Why You Shouldn't Plant a Tree in Your Yard
- Is My Tree Dead or Dormant?
- How to Tell If a Tree Is Dead (and What to Do About It)
- Can You Get A Tree Removed For Free? Not Usually
- Who Do I Call to Cut Down a Tree?
- How to Repair a Damaged Tree Trunk
