Trees are an important part of our environment. They provide oxygen, help maintain soil stability, and even create a scenic landscape.
Nevertheless, some trees can cause problems and need to be removed. This is often necessary for safety reasons, such as if they’re dying or have been damaged by storms. If you are thinking of hiring a professional, call PRV Tree Service today.
Reducing Soil Erosion
Soil erosion is a common problem in many yards and gardens. Heavy rains and winds can wear away the top layer of soil, causing problems for future vegetation or even dislodging concrete foundations. Trees are particularly effective in preventing soil erosion because they provide natural protection. However, sometimes trees need to be removed, especially when they are near homes or other structures that could be damaged by the falling debris. In these cases, the right tree removal experts can help.
In addition to the physical benefits of a dense canopy, trees can reduce the amount of water that is lost from the landscape. This is because the roots of a tree can absorb and retain moisture, helping to keep the soil wet and stable. The roots of a healthy tree also help to break down dead organic material, keeping the soil rich and fertile. Unfortunately, this process is disrupted when a tree is removed.
Trees also contribute to a healthy soil environment by providing a source of nutrients and supporting the growth of beneficial microorganisms. The presence of these microorganisms helps to stabilize the soil by promoting the decomposition of organic matter and replenishing essential nutrients. The absence of these microorganisms can lead to increased erodibility of bare soil.
There are several ways to prevent soil erosion, including the use of retaining walls and the application of mulch. However, the best way to prevent erosion is to have a healthy, well-maintained tree on your property that is in the proper location. This is why it is so important to work with a certified arborist when assessing your trees for health and safety.
If a tree is diseased or in poor condition, it is often best to remove it rather than risk damage to your home or other buildings. This is because a diseased tree has less root strength to resist wind and rain erosion. A professional can help you choose the right type of tree to plant in your yard and advise on other strategies that may be available for reducing soil erosion, such as using retaining walls or applying mulch.
Providing Renewable Energy
Trees help stabilize soil, reduce noise levels, cleanse pollutants from the air, and absorb carbon dioxide. They also provide shade and act as windbreaks to decrease residential energy consumption and catch and infiltrate rainwater, reducing the burden on stormwater infrastructure. Unfortunately, as urban areas expand, trees can be lost due to construction, old age, or natural causes like disease and pest infestation. When it’s time for a tree to go, a skilled Certified Arborist can assess the tree and recommend the next steps. If the tree is untreatable or presents a safety hazard, it’s best to remove it.
If a tree’s branches are hanging over a structure, threatening the roof or siding, or damaging window AC units or satellite dishes, it’s also an ideal candidate for removal. Without “elbow room,” trees grow in unhealthy shapes, develop bare spots in the canopy, and are more prone to diseases and damage.
Tightly packed trees not only block sunlight from surrounding plants and trees but also prevent those other trees from receiving enough water to thrive. Removing excess trees creates space for new ones and helps to balance the ecosystem.
When a tree is removed, the roots are left behind in the ground to decompose naturally. The microorganisms in the soil will take over and gradually replace the old roots, creating space for other plants to grow. In the meantime, a newly planted tree will have more room to establish its root system and avoid competition for resources from the old, decomposing roots.
If you’re thinking of removing a tree from your property, it’s important to work with an insured, licensed, and certified professional. If possible, ask your contractor to give you a certificate of insurance before hiring them, and don’t be afraid to contact the company directly to double-check their coverage.
Considering the complexity of working in tight spaces with heavy equipment, any site that’s difficult for crews to access will incur an extra charge. This includes sloped yards, rocky or muddy soil, an angled trunk, and more.
Creating Space For Other Trees
In a city where there’s hardly any room for people, let alone trees, sometimes it’s necessary to remove a problematic tree on private property. This can happen when a tree becomes too close to buildings, homes, or walkways. The branches of these trees can damage roofs, driveways, and sidewalks, or their roots can start to crack foundations or block sewer pipes. Tree removal can improve these problems, as well as provide space for new plantings and landscaping.
In addition, the root systems of some trees can be invasive and damaging to other plants and the environment. Removing these trees can make way for more desirable plants and open up the landscape to sunlight.
If the soil under or around a specific tree is unhealthy or unsuitable for planting, it may also need to be removed before new plants are planted there. Older trees can change the composition of the soil, strip it of nutrients, and reduce water levels in that spot. These changes can hurt the growth of new plants.
The other reason that a tree might need to be removed is if it’s in the way of construction plans, such as a house expansion or road/driveway construction. This is not necessarily a safety hazard; the tree may simply be in the way of future planned development. In these cases, the best option is to remove the tree and plan for its replacement as part of the development project.
Large trees and those in tight spaces are usually removed by using a crane. A crane allows workers to access the upper limbs of a tree without climbing it, and then each piece of the tree is cut apart and dropped to the ground or carefully lowered by ropes, depending on what’s underneath or surrounding it.
In some cases, the tree does not need removal because it’s healthy and has no major issues. The cost of removing the tree is often higher for diseased or structurally unstable trees, as the removal process is more complex and time-consuming. This is because of the extra precautions and equipment required to protect surrounding properties and the health of the remaining trees.
Helping Cool The Air
Trees provide cooling to the air through a natural process called transpiration. They draw moisture from the ground, through their roots and water-conducting system and then through their leaves as they evaporate, cooling the air around them. This also reduces the amount of energy needed for air conditioning during heat waves, lowering electricity use.
In addition, trees absorb several air pollutants including ozone, carbon dioxide, and sulfur dioxide, as well as reducing odors from traffic and garbage. They help control stormwater runoff by absorbing rain and slowing its flow over impermeable surfaces like streets, parking lots, and building rooftops. This prevents pollutants from washing into streams, rivers, and oceans where they can negatively impact aquatic life.
By removing excess carbon dioxide from the air, trees help limit global warming. In one year an acre of mature trees can absorb the equivalent of the amount of CO2 produced by driving 26,000 cars. This is because trees remove and store the carbon, as well as releasing oxygen back into the atmosphere.
In cities, where pollution levels are particularly high, trees can significantly improve the city environment. They help reduce noise pollution, cool the air, control soil erosion, and increase property values by reducing the urban heat island effect.
The cooling effect of a single large tree is the equivalent of 10 room-size air conditioners running 20 hours a day. Trees also help reduce summertime electricity usage by shading homes and sidewalks. They can also help lower heating bills in winter by providing windbreaks for houses and reducing the need to keep heating vents open as much.
A single mature tree can reduce a house’s energy costs by as much as 25%. A windbreak of trees planted around a home can save homeowners as much as 50% in heating and air conditioning costs.
Although people often see them as a nuisance, many trees provide numerous environmental benefits that can’t be ignored. Whether it’s their shade, carbon sequestration, air pollution removal, or the added value to a home, trees deserve to be appreciated and protected. While planting new trees is important, so too are the maintenance and protection of existing ones. Performing proper tree pruning and inspections can ensure that the health of existing trees is protected and their environmental benefits are fully realized.
