When is it time to call in a professional Arborist?

Posted by Nathan Stark on June 24th, 2017

Our gardens, and particularly our trees, provide us with protection from the elements, add value to our property and make our homes a pleasant place to be, no matter the time of year.  Like everything around the home, trees require upkeep and general maintenance.  Along with other tasks such as cleaning out the gutters regularly, checking your trees for issues can help prevent major problems developing.  Professional arborists suggest we do an annual inspection of all trees and large shrubs on our property, preferably just before winter. 

Calling in an arborist is recommended if you do happen to find an issue with one of your trees on your property, particularly if it will require work that can’t be done without a ladder or specialist equipment.  We reached out to Nathan Stark of Stark Tree Services who provides affordable tree removal services in Melbourne for guidance and advice about some of the problems you might encounter with your trees that will require the expertise and know-how of a professional arborist. 

Splits or cracks in the tree trunk

These can be dangerous as they are often hard to spot without close inspection, but can indicate a weakened branch that could break and fall during a winter storm.  They are often found in trees that have multiple trunks.  In these cases an arborist will remove the damaged trunk if they feel there is a threat of it being damaged further or falling in the future.  A tree that has a crack larger than a few millimeters in its major trunk may also need to be removed.

Dead branches or trees

Any large branch or dead tree can pose a significant threat to structures, cars and people.  Dead branches are usually straight forward to remove, although ones from mature trees can pose logistical issues.  Generally dead trees can be spotted easily, although occasionally they can be covered in vines or other vegetation and be hidden from sight.  Eventually over time, the weight of the vegetation can cause the tree to buckle and collapse. 

Leaning trees

Older trees can often become warped over time, occasionally leaning over at a dangerous level.  If they are in the street, they can pose a danger to parked cars and passing pedestrians.  An arborist will inspect the tree and determine how stable it is, and how likely it is to fall in the future.  Any leaning trees with expose roots will be considered to be less stable than those without.  If it is deemed dangerous, it may need to be removed.

Trees affecting powerlines

If you have a tree on your property that is affecting powerlines, you should also call in an arborist to help thin the canopy or remove branches that are in the way.  This may have to be done on an annual basis as the tree grows back the foliage.

Decaying wood or diseased trees

Older trees are particularly susceptible to fungi, blight, gall and cankers, as well as numerous other diseases.  If you spot a tree with any unusual growths on the trunk or branches, or notice the leaves are dying off or have markings on them, it’s time to call in an arborist.  They will be able to diagnose the problem and run a full risk assessment of the tree.

Tree root problems

Tree roots issues are sometimes difficult to spot or diagnose, however many of a tree’s issues are caused by its root system.  Call in an arborist if you notice the roots of a tree are protruding from the ground, are broken or look diseased.

Tree emergencies

Trees are designed to be hardy and they can generally withstand even the worst storms with only minor damage.  Occasionally, however, they will be affected badly by wind, heavy rain, lightning or soil erosion.  Branches can be damaged and pose a threat to the property, or in extreme cases, trees can be completely uprooted.  If this has occurred, to ensure you get a fast response time, you need to call an arborist who provides a 24 hour emergency call out service.  They will be able to help you to secure the site, fix the immediate issue and minimise any further damage. 

If you are planning to have branches or a tree removed, and they are hanging over a fence or boundary line, it is always a good idea to discuss your plans with your neighbour before embarking on the work.  It’s also important to keep in mind that there are generally strict council regulations about what you can and can’t do with the trees on your property, especially over a certain height.  If you’re unsure about your rights in relation to the removal of branches or trees, you should contact your local council or consult with a professional arborist.