Can My Tree Be Saved or Do I Need To Take It Down?

When it comes to tree health, knowing whether your tree can be saved or if it needs to be removed can be a challenging decision. Trees can experience a range of issues, from visible storm damage and broken limbs to deeper problems like insect infestations, root rot, or structural instability. Recognizing the warning signs early, such as fungus growth, weakened or exposed roots, or leaning trunks, is crucial in determining the best course of action. But how can you be sure if it’s time to act? In this guide, we’ll walk you through the key indicators of a distressed tree, explore when expert intervention is essential, and provide insight into how you can help your trees thrive—or make the tough call to remove them safely.

Can My Tree Be Saved or Do I Need to Take It Down?

Identifying the Red Flags: Is Your Tree in Distress?

There are a number of reasons why a tree may not be able to be saved. The place to start is with the obvious visible damage. Tree removal may be needed in cases where there is:

• Storm-damaged trees
• Structural damage
• Insect infestation
• Root Rot
• Major limbs broken
• Large trees in power lines

Fungus or Insects

Look around the tree for signs of mushroom (fungus) growth or insect nests. Infestation with destructive bug species and fungal pathogens can spread rot or weaken the trees’ survival ability.

Dying Trees

Weak, rotted trees mean they no longer have the strength to support themselves. But trees don’t get a wheelchair or a cane – they just fall over. Usually, it is on your house or the adjoining wall to your neighbor’s property. That’s going to make a fun call to the insurance company.

Rot can spread into the roots, so look for obvious signs of soft soil around the base of the trunk or roots poking out above the soil. Roots are the trees’ grip on the world, and for trees with root damage, you can re-read the bit above regarding calling the insurance company.

Storm Damage

After a storm, inspect your trees for damage. If it has broken branches, cracked bark with rough edges, or remaining branches are cracked or broken, a good rule of thumb is to have it inspected.

The Arborist’s Perspective: When Expert Help Is Essential

But let’s get real here: we’re not well-studied, experienced arborists here, so what do we know about tree health anyway? So, you may still be wondering, can my tree be saved? That’s why having a tree professional inspect the situation is essential.

Why leave things to chance? That’s unless you can’t get enough of calling the insurance company.

The certified arborist will look to save your leafy friends if they can, and homeowners might find it surprising what they can achieve with a bit of pruning and extra tree care TLC. Then, there’s the issue of whether or not the tree will make it. If not, then the arborist will make the call, and they’ll arrange everything for you.

It’s Time to Replant and Replenish

After the arborist is done felling the tree and turning it into a pile of timber and sawdust (that’s free firewood for your new fire pit right there), and grinding the stump (more free organic mulch for your flowerbeds), they’ll advise you on the best types of trees to plant to match your yard aesthetic. They recommend native species that thrive in the soil and love the local climate conditions.

Who knows, maybe they’ll even suggest building a custom flowerbed in place of where the tree was. It’s handy having the expertise of a landscaper who’s designed and built hundreds of glorious gardens over the course of their career.

Arbor Hills Tree Farm & Nursery Omaha

We provide the Highest Quality Field Grown Nebraska Trees and Shrubs – directly to our customers, at the lowest possible price.

Whether you are looking for trees for:

• new home landscaping
• wind blockage
• commercial or residential

Simply select the tree(s) you want, and they will be ready for pickup or delivery the following Saturday Morning. The trees are easy to handle and plant. Click here for more information.