It’s in your best interest to schedule tree removal from a trusted Lexington tree service company when the structure decays. If you’re not sure when a tree on your property died, you might be wondering, “How long can a dead tree remain standing?” Tree Care Inc. is here to answer this complex question.
Discover the factors that affect how long your tree will remain standing after it dies and other important information you should know to keep your trees healthy and vibrant.
Common Reasons Why Trees Die
Before we dive into how long you can expect a dead tree to stay upright, it’s important to understand the common tree death causes so you can prevent future decay. Trees on your property might die for any of the following reasons:
- Disease or fungal infections: Common tree diseases can attack root systems and come with symptoms like drooping branches, rotting bark, and abnormal foliage discoloration.
- Pest infestations: Insects and pests can take over trees and quickly lead to their demise. Be on the lookout for hollowing trunks or holes in the leaves, as this indicates an insect infestation.
- Drought: A lack of water can wreak havoc on trees and other vegetation. You must regulate the amount of water your trees receive to keep them healthy.
- Root damage: Compacted soil or unbalanced moisture levels can cause root systems to decay and ultimately destroy the rest of the tree.
- Tree wounds: If a tree can’t recover from severe wounds, it will likely decay. The wound may be due to environmental factors like a lightning strike or human error, such as incorrect or excessive pruning.
How To Determine When a Dead Tree Will Fall: Four Factors That Affect Its Stability
How long can a dead tree remain standing? While dead trees can stay on your property for many years, they will eventually fall to the ground once they lose their structural integrity. Pinpointing the exact time when a tree may fall ultimately depends on the following factors.
1. The Tree Species
Imagine having an apple and oak tree in your yard but unfortunately, a disease causes both structures to rot simultaneously. Will they both fall around the same time? The oak tree will likely stay upright for much longer than the apple tree.
Various tree species prove more durable through the tree decay process. An arborist can give you better insight into tree species durability and how long it might remain upright. Species like cedar and oak trees tend to remain stay intact for years after the tree dies whereas pines and other types of trees aren’t as durable.
2. The Local Climate
Many environmental factors influence the overall root stability of a dead tree. Warm temperatures and dry conditions promote slower decay whereas wet, humid conditions speed up the timeline of a dead tree falling. Too much moisture in the ground will accelerate the root system rotting and also attract pests.
If powerful storms often hit the area, this also increases the risk of the tree falling over. Strong winds can uproot trees with a damaged root system and lightning strikes can contribute to faster decay.
3. Fungal Decay
Say a tree dies due to drought and the subsequent root damage. As it decays, a fungal infection takes over to create further damage. The presence of the tree disease will accelerate the process and make the structure less stable.
It poses a greater risk of falling quickly because of the fungus. Organisms will disintegrate the wood, usually along the trunk, leading to a weakened structure that will eventually topple.
4. Pest Infestations
How long can a dead tree remain standing if it’s a sturdy species in a fair climate without any fungal decay? Under these conditions, the tree should remain upright for a while but if pests and insects infiltrate the wood, it won’t be as stable.
Wood-boring insects like termites eat their way through tree trunks to hollow out the wood. With the tree’s main structure compromised, it won’t be able to withstand environmental factors for many more years.
Why You Shouldn’t Delay Dead Tree Removal
Being proactive at the first sign of tree decay may help you reverse the process and nurse your tree back to health. However, once the root system dies, your only option is to remove the compromised tree. Instead of wondering, “How long can a dead tree remain standing?” you should focus on promoting tree health and safety moving forward.
Don’t wait to schedule a tree removal service once you have a dead tree on your property. This project comes with many benefits, including:
- Increased safety: You won’t have to worry about the tree’s high risk of falling onto your property either in a storm or on its own. Voluntarily removing it prevents extensive property damage and keeps you safe from falling branches.
- Healthier vegetation: Pests and fungal infections may attack dead trees first and then quickly move on to other trees in the area. Remove the dead tree before these issues become an issue for your remaining healthy trees.
- Increased curb appeal and property value: Your property will look much nicer without a dead tree on the premises. Better curb appeal ultimately boosts the property value in case you decide to sell in the future.
- Peace of mind: Feel better knowing that all of the trees on your property aren’t at risk of falling or becoming an eyesore due to decay.
Contact Tree Care Inc. for All of Your Arbor Needs
At Tree Care Inc., we help Lexington property owners overcome a wide range of tree-related issues. Our certified arborists can answer all of your tree health questions, including, “Is my tree dead?” and, “How long can a dead tree remain standing?” We perform thorough assessments that identify safety risks and can remove the tree when necessary.
Reach out to our team if you need a professional to inspect the trees on your property. Call our Lexington-based experts today at (859) 347-2237 to request a quote and learn more.
