Knowledgebase

Tree health assessment #924435

Asked February 10, 2026, 4:09 PM EST

Hi there, we have a tree that is overhanging our neighbors garage. An arborist came out and said that the entire tree might need to go, but that they couldn’t assess its health. They recommended reaching out to you guys. Is that something we could arrange with you? Thanks, Matthew Meyer

Boulder County Colorado

Expert Response

Hi Mathew,
Thank you for reaching out to us regarding your tree that is overhanging your neighbor's garage.   We will require some information from you
  1. What type of tree is it? 
  2. How old is the tree?
  3. Approximately how tall is the tree?  
  4. What percentage of the tree is overhanging your neighbor's garage?   Is your neighbor asking you to cut those branches that is overhanging?
  5. What was the reason why the arborist thinks the entire tree needs to go?
  6. What was the reason why the arborist cannot assess the tree's health? 
  7. Did you notice something wrong with the tree, such as disease or insect?
  8. A photo of the tree would be helpful
Once we get the info from you, we will assess the next step how we can help you. 

Thank you,

Boulder County Master Gardener
An Ask Extension Expert Replied February 11, 2026, 2:18 PM EST
Hi there, thanks for getting back to me. Answers in line (to the best of my ability):


  1. What type of tree is it? 
Box elder
  1. How old is the tree?
I’m guessing 70-80 years old
  1. Approximately how tall is the tree?  
75-100 ft
  1. What percentage of the tree is overhanging your neighbor's garage?   Is your neighbor asking you to cut those branches that is overhanging?
Perhaps 5% but I really don’t know. The neighbors on both the back and the side have asked for branches to be removed
  1. What was the reason why the arborist thinks the entire tree needs to go?
Age, fragility of the species, and possibility of internal rot. He was not able to look before the accident (see below)
  1. What was the reason why the arborist cannot assess the tree's health? 

The arborist had a severe car accident and was the only person at the company we’ve hired who had the expertise. The company recommended reaching out to you. 

  1. Did you notice something wrong with the tree, such as disease or insect?
I did not. 
  1. A photo of the tree would be helpful
See attached. 
image0.jpeg
Once we get the info from you, we will assess the next step how we can help you. 

Thank you,

Boulder County Master Gardener

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The Question Asker Replied February 11, 2026, 3:40 PM EST
Hi Matthew,
Thank you for your answers to the first set of questions. 

A Box elder tree lifespan is between 60-75 years, but can live as long as 100 years with optimal conditions. 

Some follow up questions from your answers: 

  • Your answer to this question "Did you notice something wrong with the tree, such as disease or insect?" was "I did not".    Other than the age of the tree, why do you suspect something is wrong with your tree?   
  • You mentioned the possibility of internal rot.  What symptoms do you see that might be internal rot?  For example: 
    • Any cracks on the trunk?
    • Is the bark falling or peeling off? 
    • Does the trunk feel soft or spongy or does it sounds hollow when tapped?
    • If you see any of those visual symtoms, please provide a photo. 
  • How did the tree look during the growing season last year, for example leaves, baby suckers from the tree, branches without leaves?  Do you have a photo of it last year with it leaves?
  • Can you provide a picture of the trunk (where it meets the soil)? A close up, and a wide picture of the entire trunk with the soil.
  • How far away are the stones to the trunk? Are they touching the trunk?
  • How do you water your tree?  For example, watering it with the grass, what type of spray, and for how long and how often.  Have you been doing any Fall and Winter watering?
We appreciate you providing these answers. 

Thank you,

Boulder County Master Gardener
An Ask Extension Expert Replied February 12, 2026, 9:21 AM EST
Sorry, I’m just looking for someone to come out and assess the health of the tree. Is that something you guys do?

Matthew

On Feb 12, 2026, at 07:21, Ask Extension wrote:


The Question Asker Replied February 12, 2026, 9:40 AM EST
Hi Matthew,
We do have a tree team for a site vist.  For a deciduous tree such as your box elder, we typically wait until early summer for the tree to leaf out.   Also, a requirement is that we ask and receive answers to preliminary questions, and then we decide whether it warrants a visit from our tree team.   We find many times we can give a solution without a site visit. 

Totally understand you rather answers the questions in person and you might want to have an arborist to come out soon. 

Here is a web site to find an arborist. 
https://www.treesaregood.org/findanarborist/findanarborist

Also with this dry Fall and Winter, we are advising winter watering for trees.  For each inch diameter of a tree, the tree requires 10 gallons of  water each winter month when the temperature is above 40 degrees F. 
Fall and Winter Watering of Plants and Trees | Colorado State University Extension Website

Hope we were able to help.  Please let us know if you have further questions. 

Boulder County Master Gardener

An Ask Extension Expert Replied February 12, 2026, 10:00 AM EST
Yeah, we’ll just cut down the tree. Thanks
Matthew

On Feb 12, 2026, at 08:00, Ask Extension wrote:


The Question Asker Replied February 12, 2026, 10:10 AM EST

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