Hazardous Tree Removal

The clearest indicators are structural, not cosmetic. A tree that lost most of its leaves in a storm but has an intact trunk, sound root plate, and no visible cracks is stressed but not necessarily hazardous. The hazard markers are: a new or worsening lean, visible trunk cracks (especially those that go deep when probed), root plate heaving or soil cracking at the base, hollow sections in the trunk (tapping the bark produces a hollow sound), and co-dominant stem unions with included bark that have begun to separate. When in doubt, a consulting arborist can perform a documented hazard assessment - this typically costs $100-$300 and is money well spent before removal.

Sometimes. Options include cabling and bracing (installing steel cables in the crown to redistribute load away from a compromised co-dominant stem), crown reduction (removing weight from the side that creates loading on a defect), or targeted pruning of a dead top or large dead limb while leaving the living tree intact. However, these interventions are only appropriate when the structural defect is specific and addressable and when the tree has genuine value (size, species, location) that justifies the ongoing management cost. A basal crack, severe lean, or advanced decay throughout the trunk are generally not correctable by cabling or pruning.

Emergency tree removal is reactive - the tree has already fallen or is in immediate active contact with a structure or utility. Hazardous tree removal is proactive - the tree is still standing but has been assessed as having an elevated failure risk. Hazardous removal is typically schedulable within days to a week, rather than requiring a same-day crew. It commands a complexity premium over standard removal but is generally less expensive than a true emergency call because the crew can plan the approach in advance.

Standard homeowner's policies generally do not cover elective tree removal - including hazardous tree removal - unless the tree has already caused covered damage. Some policies include a limited hazardous tree provision, and some high-value property policies have broader tree coverage. Check your declarations and endorsements. The practical value of removing a hazardous tree before it falls is that you control the removal cost and avoid the much larger cost of structural repair if it fails onto the house. This is general educational guidance, not policy interpretation advice.

A co-dominant stem is when a tree produces two or more main trunks growing upward from the same union point rather than a single dominant trunk. The structural weak point is the included bark - bark tissue that gets folded into the union as both stems grow, creating a wedge with little mechanical holding strength compared to properly attached wood. After storm loading, these unions can crack, producing a visible split that opens slightly with wind. Once cracked, the holding capacity declines rapidly, and the stem can detach without warning at any size. Co-dominant stems over structures are one of the most common sources of catastrophic tree failure in residential neighborhoods.

The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) maintains a searchable database of ISA Certified Arborists at treesaregood.org. Certification requires passing an exam and maintaining continuing education - it is a meaningful credential. In Florida, the Florida Chapter of the ISA also maintains a board-certified master arborist list. In Illinois, seek ISA credentials plus Illinois Certified Arborist designation where available. For a formal written hazard assessment with documented findings, request a Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) certified arborist - TRAQ is the ISA's specific credential for formal risk assessment.

In both Florida and Illinois, property owners can face liability for tree damage to neighboring property when they had prior knowledge of the hazard and failed to act within a reasonable time. Knowledge is established by visible hazard signs (a documented lean, prior storm damage to the same tree), written notice from a neighbor, or a professional assessment. The practical takeaway is that once you are aware a tree poses a hazard, delay increases your legal exposure. Prompt action - or at minimum a documented written assessment - is the appropriate response.

Working near an energized power line requires either the utility company to de-energize the line (which involves utility coordination and scheduling) or the use of specialized insulated tools and equipment and crew trained in utility line clearance. Standard tree crews are not utility line clearance crews and typically cannot safely work within 10 feet of an energized distribution line. When a hazardous tree is in the utility corridor, your options are: request a utility hold from the utility company (free but requires scheduling), hire a utility line clearance contractor (typically more expensive than a standard tree company), or contact the utility directly if the tree represents an immediate hazard to the line.

In both Florida and Illinois, certified arborist scheduling fills up before the peak storm seasons - May through November in Florida and late spring through early fall in Illinois. Assessments done in late winter or early spring typically have shorter wait times and allow you to schedule removal before demand spikes. Post-storm assessment capacity is severely constrained. If you have any trees you suspect may be hazardous, scheduling an assessment in February or March is more efficient and typically less expensive than reacting after the first severe weather event.

The roots remain in the ground and decay over years - typically 5 to 15 years for a large hardwood depending on species and soil conditions. In most cases, residual root decay does not create any structural issues. The exception is in cases where the root system ran under a driveway, foundation, or hardscape - as those roots decay, minor settling of the surface above is possible. If the hazardous tree had a partially heaved root plate, the area should be backfilled after removal to eliminate the depression and restore a level surface.