Should these trees come down? - Ask Extension
We have a number of large trees in our back yard. I’m concerned about 2 of them that are close to our home and a 500 gallon underground propane tank...
Knowledgebase
Should these trees come down? #880921
Asked August 10, 2024, 11:34 AM EDT
We have a number of large trees in our back yard. I’m concerned about 2 of them that are close to our home and a 500 gallon underground propane tank. One tree has a vertical notch in it that extends several feet. The other has a black substance on it. Are these signs of disease or weakness? Should I have them taken down? Thank you.
Baltimore County Maryland
Expert Response
If you are concerned about the structural stability of the trees, we would recommend having a tree health expert, a.k.a., a certified arborist, come on-site to evaluate them. Most larger tree companies have certified arborists on staff and you can search for one at the credentialing organization at http://www.treesaregood.org
Your first photo shows a small slice of internal wood that looks compromised but it's impossible to tell how much.
Your second photo shows a wet area, which could be this:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/tree-trunks-wet-wood-or-slime-flux/ This is not always of great concern unless the tree is otherwise unhealthy.
How does the leafy canopy look on these trees? Is it full of normal size/color leaves without a lot of dead limbs?
This page can help people to know when a tree may be dying and should be removed:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/how-do-you-decide-when-remove-tree/
Christine
Your first photo shows a small slice of internal wood that looks compromised but it's impossible to tell how much.
Your second photo shows a wet area, which could be this:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/tree-trunks-wet-wood-or-slime-flux/ This is not always of great concern unless the tree is otherwise unhealthy.
How does the leafy canopy look on these trees? Is it full of normal size/color leaves without a lot of dead limbs?
This page can help people to know when a tree may be dying and should be removed:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/how-do-you-decide-when-remove-tree/
Christine
