Serving Richmond, Chesterfield, Colonial Heights, Prince George, Dinwiddie, Hanover, Henrico, New Kent, Charles City.

Below are some important considerations when determining the need for tree care services:

Tree Hazards

Trees provide significant benefits to our homes and communities, but when trees endanger property and people, they are liabilities. Proper care of your trees prolongs the life span of trees and makes you and your community's property safer.

Regular tree care will help identify hazardous trees and the risk they present to people and property.  Once the hazard is recognized, steps may be taken to reduce or eliminate the likelihood of the tree falling and injuring someone or something.

• Are there dead branches in the tree?
• Are there detached branches hanging in the tree?
• Does the tree have cavities or rotten wood along the trunk or in major branches?
• Are mushrooms present at the base of the tree?
• Are there cracks or splits in the trunk or where branches are attached?
• Have any branches fallen from the tree?
• Have adjacent trees fallen over or died?
• Has the trunk developed a strong lean?
• Do many of the major branches arise from one point on the trunk?
• Have the roots been broken off, injured, or damaged by lowering the soil level, installing pavement, repairing sidewalks, or digging trenches?
• Has the site recently been changed by construction, raising the soil level, or installing lawns?
• Have the leaves prematurely developed an unusual color or size?
• Has the tree been topped or otherwise heavily pruned?
• Have trees in adjacent wooded areas been removed?

Examples of Defects Present in Urban Trees

• regrowth from topping, line clearance, or other pruning
• electrical line adjacent to tree
• open cavity in trunk or branch
• dead or dying branches
• branches arise at one point on the trunk
• decay and rot present in old wounds
• recent change in grade or soil level, or other construction

Examples of Defects Present in Rural Tree

• recent site construction, grading, and tree removal
• clearing of forests for development
• previous tree failures in the local area
• tree leaning near target
• forked trunk
• branches and stems equal in size
• wet areas with shallow soil

Managing Tree Hazards

Reducing the risks associated with hazardous trees can take many forms.  One of the following treatments may help make your tree safer.

• Remove the moveable targets, such as picnic tables, cars, landscape features, and other such items to prevent them from being hit by a falling tree.
• Prune the tree, removing defective branches.
• Cable and brace the tree
• Provide routine care. Even mature trees need water, mulch, pruning, and - in some cases - fertilizer
• Remove hazardous trees, and maybe plant new ones in their places.