Common Tree Hazards Around Your Home or Office and How to Prevent Them

Trees are able to add characteristics to the landscaping of your home, office, or even street/city, they are able to provide shade, create privacy, be a home to wildlife, and can bring fresh air to us. With all of these benefits we receive from trees, there can also be negative aspects that can cause harm to us, our property, or our homes and businesses. Here, we are going to help recognize and teach you how to reduce these risks from affecting you, your home, your safety, and even your wallet.

Recognizing Tree Hazards

1. Dead or Dying Trees

This first one is the most common hazard that we come across almost every day, a tree is either completely dead or is starting to die. Dead or dying trees can become scary and extremely dangerous due to the tree becoming weak and not being able to support the weight of the wood that it once was able to when it was alive. Dead or dying trees can break at any moment, whether it is the full tree crashing down or just a small limb falling off, we always recommend removing these trees as soon as possible.

Signs of Dead or Dying Trees: Little to no leaves during blooming season, brittle branches, early leaf drop before fall, peeling bark, rot or fungus present, or root damage.

2. Cracks and Splits

Cracked Tree
Last summer, a strong storm tore apart a limb on this tree causing it to become split and become a dangerous situation. We safely removed this hung limb to prevent further damage to structures and reduce the risk of harm to people.

After strong wind or heavy ice storms the branches or limbs on a tree can become cracked or split from the main trunk of the tree, this can become a concern for safety from the increased chance of the cracked or split portion of the tree falling at any moment. We’ve seen this happen to a number of trees after a

strong storm that can cause perfectly healthy trees to lose a limb and become hazardous. If you are able to visibly see a crack or a split in a tree please contact us (or your local tree service if you are not in the metro Detroit area) immediately to get an estimate to remove the broken limb or branch off of the tree to help keep you and others safe.

Signs of Cracks and Splits: Visible cracks in the trunk or major branches of the tree, dead branches in portion of a tree that is cracked, or damaged bark

3. Leaning Trees

Trees are very strong and grow deep roots into the ground to help them stay upright in harsh weather conditions and can grow in odd directions when they are trying to reach for sunlight, however when a tree is visibly leaning more than 15 degrees this can start to become concerning. More importantly, if a tree was once upright and has started to lean downwards after an ice storm or strong wind, this can be even more dangerous with the heightened risk of uprooting and falling onto structures, cars, people, or road ways.

Signs of Leaning Trees: Tree is leaning more than 15 degrees from upright vertical, exposed roots sticking out, impacted or raised soil, cracks in tree trunk, or missing bark.

4. Close to Structures

Oftentimes when a tree is planted or one starts to grow out of the ground from a seed that had fallen there, it may not be an issue but after many years of the tree growing bigger and the possible chance of more development around the tree. This can cause a problem with where it is located and how close it is to buildings, power lines, or underground systems which can cause damage to them or people. Commonly, we hear about trees damaging foundations of homes, sidewalks, plumbing, power or utility lines in the air.

Tree Too Close to House
This enormous tree was towering over this home that was turning into a concern for our customer that was worried about her and her family’s safety. We removed the tree with our crane and made a safer environment for the homeowner and bystanders.

When there is a tree that is causing this issue we recommend either trim away from the structures to prevent further damage or even removal if the root system is causing harm.

Signs of a Tree is Too Close to Structures: Tree is growing too close to buildings, power or utility lines, roots are lifting or cracking cement/concrete, damage to plumbing or foundation of building, cracks in the trunk, leaning tree, or debris clogging and causing damage to gutters and roof.

5. Diseases or Pests Damaging Tree

Disease and pests can cause damage to only a section of a tree or can affect the whole tree that can lead to the tree dying. This can make branches more susceptible to breaking and falling off of the tree or making the whole tree dead and going back to the first hazard we discussed about, and dead trees are not our friend. They can become very dangerous to their surroundings and can cause loads of damage to buildings, cars, roads, people, and our wallets. We recommend scheduling an inspection as soon as possible if you’re concerned if your tree may be suffering with a disease or pest infestation.

Signs of Diseases or Pests: Discolored or wilting leaves, early leaf drop during summer, unusual growth, presence of insects or fungi, damage to bark of tree, rotten sections, dead branches, dropping branches, or leaning tree.

How to Reduce the Risk of these Common Tree Hazards:

1. Book Regular Inspections

Mark your calendar and set a time of year that can help you to remember to schedule an inspection for an arborist to come out and take a look at your trees to see if there are any signs of a disease or pest, broken or dead limbs, or if the tree is starting to completely die, or added issues that you may miss. Additionally, after strong weather, take a couple of minutes to look at your tree to see if there are any new cracks or splits, broken or hanging branches, or any concern of leaning. This can help tremendously with preventing any damages done to the surroundings of the tree.

2. Trimming and Pruning

When your trees are regularly trimmed by a professional arborist it helps your safety and the tree’s health immensely. By getting your trees trimmed routinely, this can help reduce deadwood, alleviate excess weight on limbs, help prevent the spread of diseases or pests if there are any, and in circumstances that the tree is growing too close to a building or other structures, the tree can get trimmed away to help prevent damage.

Before and After Tree Trimming
This homeowner trimmed this Cedar tree away from their home to prevent the overgrowth from affecting their roof or gutters, giving her landscape and home a cleaner look.

3. Tree Removal

Sometimes, the best solution is to remove a tree that is dying, dead, severely damaged, or is diseased or pest infested. As much as we prefer to preserve the lifespan of a tree, this could be the best option to reduce the risk of danger. We recommend consulting with a professional arborist to give you a quote to remove the tree. Also, if the tree is located too close to a structure that can pose a risk to safety, consider removing the tree.

4. Cabling and Bracing the Tree

For trees that branch into multiple large limbs, we recommend cabling and bracing the tree. This can give extra support for the weight of the tree or weaker branches or unions of the tree, and it can help reduce the risk of the tree failing which can cause damage or harm to nearby structures or people. Additionally, this can help guide the tree growth to make the structure of the tree more stable.

5. Disease and Pest Control

When there are signs of disease or pests that could be affecting the tree’s health, it can be crucial to get this addressed immediately, not only can this help reduce the spread of the disease or pest, this can improve yours and others safety with making sure the weakened limbs are removed on a diseased or pest infected tree. If these branches or limbs fail it can cause damage to the surroundings or harm to others. We recommend consulting with a professional arborist to take care of these trees if it has become a severe circumstance.

6. Tree Root Preservation

In the world of new construction constantly developing, this can turn into a bad situation when major tree roots are harmed. When tree roots are harmed and become weaker this can result in affecting the tree’s overall health and cause the tree to become diseased or completely die. In other circumstances, this can also weaken the tree’s overall structure and make it more likely to uproot during a harsh storm or heavy snowfall due to the lack of brace to the soil beneath the tree. We’ve seen massive trees fall that were 60-70 years old due to damaged root systems that made the tree’s structure weak resulting in damage to the neighborhood. In the end, avoid damaging tree roots and consider installing root barriers that can help protect your home’s foundation and underground utility lines.

Trees are a beautiful addition to any landscape but require maintenance to keep them from becoming a negative.

By being proactive to tree care and regularly inspecting, trimming, and caring for trees at your home you can be saving yourself, your family, your home, and your wallet from the risk of damages that could be done by not properly caring for them. If you’re ever in doubt of the condition of a tree or what procedure you should take for making sure they are safe and healthy, don’t hesitate to contact us today! Metro Detroit Tree & Firewood have professional arborists that can help take care of any of your tree needs and we are always just one phone call away. Stay safe and come back later this month to learn about why it is important to hire a professional tree service that is fully licensed and insured to take on any job type!

Why Metro Detroit Tree & Firewood is the Best Choice.

Read our reviews below from trusted customers!

4.9
Tom M.
I had a very large tree in my small yard with a lot of obstacles in the way. The crew was professional and did an outstanding job with the removal and clean up.
Dale B.
Very satisfied with metro tree I would recommend this company to anyone that needs tree removal or trimming
Jeffrey B.
Metro did a great job trimming our neighbor's tree branches overhanging our yard. Their tracked bucket machine was able to get thru our narrow gate.
Monica K.
Metro was the best , we had them take down 6 trees and do the stump grinding . They did all 6 very quick and they cleaned up everything, they also hauled away all the sawdust from the stump grinding . We would definitely recommend them,Thank you Metro Detroit Tree!!Kevin and Monica
Christina L.
From the beginning, the service that I received from Metro Detroit tree and firewood company was excellent. Friendly professional respectful. The job was completed professionally cleanup excellent.
Michelle W.
They were very quick at giving an estimate and coming to do the work. They had a lot of people so the work itself went fast and they cleaned up beautifully. Price was very competitive. I absolutely recommend this company to anyone looking to get tree work done :-)
C M
I'm very pleased with the service. I had a couple of small trees that needed to be removed, and had been trying all summer to get someone to come out and take care of them, but they either did the job poorly or never returned my calls. I received a callback from Metro Detroit Tree & Firewood right away. I was impressed with their efficiency and professionalism. They removed the trees, shaped some remaining trees/shrubs in my yard and cleaned up everything, it looks so much better! I called on a Friday and it was done on Monday. I will definitely call them again in the future.
Zippy2K
It was very good experiencePeople were very professional and helpfulThank you for making our job easy
Nick B.
I had gotten 4 different quotes. Other company’s quoted higher price point and advised there would be risk of my driveway being damaged. These guys had the best price , were fast and did a phenomenal job.
Mary J.
Jose and his crew did a terrific job on our big oaks. Have had a few companies in the past 25 years and have to say these guys are the best hands down. Jose you will be the one we will call again for any job we need in the future. Thanks again.
Daniel S.
Everything went well very professional.
Stacy H.
This is the 2nd time I’ve used this company and will use them again in the near future. They do a great job and they do a great job on the cleanup! Their prices are very competitive!
Ray D.
Crew did a great job cutting this huge maple. Came on time finished, cleaned up like they were never there.
Jennifer C.
Metro Detroit Tree and Firewood they came out on time. Did a great job! Cleaned the area when they were finished. I would highly recommend them. I would use them in the future.
mark F.
Your staff was amazingly talented. Great work, friendly and very skilled at the trade.Job Well done!
V U
They did amazing work for us in Grosse Pointe Park! Showed up and finished within one hour, we’re so mindful of cleaning up. It couldn’t have gone better- thank you!!
Jane B.
Metro Detroit tree and firewood company sent out five men to work on cutting down half of a tree that was overhanging one of our condos. They used the bucket truck to get the tall branches and in one case had a man climb up the tree by himself to get ones off of our tall, black walnut tree. Everyone was extremely proficient, professional courteous, and completed the job in an hour. They cleaned everything up, blew any leaves that were left away and I was absolutely delighted.
Nancy P.
We are happy with the job they did. They communicated well. We will be recommending Metro Detroit Tree to our friends
Kris J.
Metro Detroit Tree & Firewood is by far the absolute BEST tree service company. They are so polite, professional, everyone works together as a team and they do a fantastic job. Raul is extremely kind and explains everything they are going to do. After they were done they cleaned everything so well you couldn’t tell that they were even there but for the tree looking sooooo much better. Look no farther if you need Tree Service, this company is the absolute BEST!!!!!
Jim C.
We had them out to remove a medium size crab apple tree. From the initial call, bid and job completion this is a class organization. The job was completed quickly and the clean up beyond expectations. It was impressive to watch this crew work in a well choreographed fashion. I highly recommend.
Melvin R.
Cut down one tree, and a couple of big branches overlooking the house for a reasonable price
Lucille D.
I can't say enough nice things about Metro Detroit Tree. Initially I sent an email for an estimate. Within an hour or two they responded. This is lightning fast for a busy company. When they came to inspect the property they handed me the free estimate and their Certificate of Liability insurance information. In the past when I've hired various contractors I never received any Insurance Certificates.What impressed me the most is how professional they are. Throughout the process they have been responsive and thorough. And it doesn't hurt that they are super nice! In my experience with other tree companies Metro Detroit’s estimate was fair for the amount of work they performed. I am very pleased with the results and will hire them again for future projects.
michael K.
I was very pleased with their service. I will be a repeat customer in the future .
Lawrence A.
Jose's team was amazing today. They did a terrific job! We were so impressed with this talented group of professionals. Removing a 100 foot elm that was 10 feet from our house was not an easy task, but it was done flawlessly. We had total confidence in them. The clean up was quick and thorough. We cannot say enough good things about Jose and his team! Highly recommend!!
Mary Ann A.
Excellent service. On time, professional and cleaned up
Lisa S
Great company!! Best quote on tree and additional work. Made the yard neat and tidy after taking down a tree that was in a very dangerous state after a storm. Also took care of the landscaping & stump grinding and removal of broken garden with rotten timbers. Did an excellent job! Would highly recommend 😁
L6
Have used this company a few times now. Licensed, insured and impeccable service! Highly recommend!
Tim G.
Got me scheduled fast at a great price. Cleaned up everything. We're able to overcome obstacles that my yard posed.
Kelly R.
This company is awesome, they came out so fast for the estimate and had had a crew out less than a week later. They did a ton of work and they were all super professional. LOVED this experience and I'm not scared of my yard anymore.
Sherianne D.
Raul and his team did an excellent job cleaning up my oak tree and the back and side yard fences. The were fast, efficient and cleaned up all the yard rubbish. They also hauled away the rubbish. Made it seem effortless.
Dan D.
Fast friendly and very efficient service . They clean up after themselves as well as the debris I left our
Kim L.
Metro Detroit Tree & Firewood is a very professional company, from speaking with Talima at the office to Jose' coming to my house to give me a quote. The quote given to me by Jose' was very reasonable. I was impressed the day Jose' came to give me a quote. He also came with the Certificate Of Liability Insurance, without me having to ask for a copy. The day Jose' and his crew came to cut down the excessive amount of tree limbs that were overflowing from the trees in my neighbor's yard, they started to work right away. The crew worked fast and efficiently. They were all in sync with the job that needed to be done. The clean up was great. No leaves or branches/twigs were left on the ground. I made a good decision in hiring Metro Detroit Tree & Firewood. I will call them again when needed and I would highly recommend them to family and friends.
Penny G.
Raul and his crew showed up, explained all they were going to do, and got right to work. They were professional, took care when tossing down branches, blew off debris from the roof, and cleaned everything up. So quick and efficient! Very pleased with their work. Thank you!
Vivian A.
First rate service, from the estimate to the cleanup. What I needed trimmed they did excellent work and were very careful to take care of the power line as he removed the hazardous branch. The use of the cherry picker was as skilled as the best I have ever seen. Thank you
Nicole H.
Gave a fair price. Came when they said they would, completed the job and cleaned up. Excellent experience.
Leah B.
Had a large tree removed yesterday and have to say that the crew was absolutely amazing!!! They worked efficiently and together as a team. This was our first experience with this company and if we need more tree work in the future we will definitely have them out again.
Ben W
Had Metro Detroit Tree come out for a quote, and they were extremely quick and professional. They worked fast, with respect to my property, and cleaned up throughly. I will definitely hire them again.
Kaila G.
From start to end this company was responsive and quick. All representatives were great communicators from scheduling to verifying satisfaction with the tree trimming done. I requested an additional branch to be trimmed over my garage after the crew packed up and they were happy to get the equipment back out and trim the branch with no push back. The service was very affordable and my trees look great! Highly recommend!
Nancy M.
Very professional. Had a tree removed and another trimmed. They did a beautiful job and cleaned up everything! Highly recommend them!
Caryn L.
Had " METRO DETROIT TREE & FIREWOOD,LLC.Today to some work on some TREES, they were ABSOLUTELY the BEST of THE BEST, What a GREAT CREW you all were! JOSE you are the best!!! GOD BLESS YOU'S and STAY SAFE - This was too COOL. Thank you's.
Damon W.
Very pleased. Jose and his crew made my backyard look wonderful.
Rebekah C.
This company is VERY professional. I was nervous about having such a big job done but the representative came and made me feel very comfortable. All of my questions were answered, and he was very knowledgeable. Every time I called, the young lady that picked up the phone was pleasant and didn't seem annoyed with all the questions I asked. My backyard looks nice, and I am pleased. Thank you all.
Julie C.
Very happy with the service from Metro Detroit Tree! Would definitely use again.
James C.
If you are looking for a professional tree service, you need not to look any further. These guys know what they are doing. They all work together like a fine tuned machine. They cut down a tree for me back in Feb. They also got the stump out and cleaned the entire yard. I have recommended them to my friends. Their prices are very reasonable. These are my go to guys for any tree work. They are honest, professional, and very concerned with having satisfied customers. Give them a call. You won't be disappointed.
Jackie J.
Fantastic!4 days from proposal to job.Very informative as to work being performed.Cleaned area meticulously.Should be everyone's tree service!!!!!
Kevin L.
We had a good experience with Metro Detroit and we will be using them again.
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