Saying goodbye to a tree can be like saying farewell to an old friend, especially if it’s a large, long-lived species that’s been around for many decades. But sometimes it’s not necessarily clear whether a tree is dying and needs to be cut down or if it’s been damaged and still has some life in it.
You might ask what’s the harm in just letting an old tree alone, leaving it to die a natural death on its own? Unfortunately, when a large tree dies, it can start breaking away in pieces — making it dangerous for people and structures. It could be time to call an arborist, or at least a certified tree specialist, who can advise you on the health of the tree, and who should know how to cut it down safely.
So how do you decide when a tree should be cut down? Here’s some advice that can help you make a decision.
It’s a good idea to call in an arborist or other tree specialist to assess your tree’s health before you hire someone to start cutting.