Backyard Forest Stewardship in Western Washington
Hazard Tree Recognition and Management
Trees or parts of trees which are structurally weakened may pose a threat to people and structures. Check the trees near your home and yard for the following signs:
Dead or dying, poorly attached limbs.
Old wounds and obvious signs of decay (fungal conks, hollow trunks)
Leaning trees or cracks in soil which indicate root movement
Shortened height growth or sudden large crop of cones (often indicates root disease).
Signs of root damage (including excavation in the root zone or compaction, pavement, or fill over the root zone.)
Yellowing, reddening or thinning foliage. (Note: Some discoloration and loss of older foliage is normal. Most conifers have some foliage near the interior of branches which turns yellow or reddish and drops from the tree each fall. This may be more pronounced in drought years. It may be very noticeable in pines and cedars.)
If the problem is confined to a single branch, corrective pruning may solve the problem. If all or most of the tree is affected, removal is likely necessary. Trees which exhibit symptoms of overall decline can rarely be saved. You can obtain information about the most common tree problems in your area by contacting your local WSU Extension office. A professional consulting forester can help you with this diagnosis on forest trees. A professional arborist can help confirm a diagnosis and determine whether a tree must be removed near your home or other structures. Check your yellow pages and look for individuals or firms that employ ISA Certified Arborists.
Create wildlife habitat
Dead, dying or damaged trees may be hazards if they are within range of structures, parking areas, or other areas with heavy human activity. If you have hazard trees, consider converting the tree to a short snag or wildlife tree as an alternative to complete removal. Cut the tree to a height to which it will pose a threat if it falls. As the tree decays, many species of birds and mammals may utilize the tree for forage and shelter. See Tips for Creating Snags, later in this publication. Another alternative is to have the tree felled and left in place. The downed woody debris will provide additional wildlife habitat.
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A hazard tree may be converted to a non-threatening and wildlife-friendly landscape feature by cutting it to a safe height.
Photo by: Jim Bottorff, Washington State Dept. of Natural Resources
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