UBCNews - Business - Hazardous Tree Removal: Central Florida Landscaper Shares 7 Warning signs

Episode Date: December 4, 2025

Hey everyone, welcome back to the show. Today, we're talking about something that might be lurking in your backyard right now - hazardous trees. If you're a property owner in Central Florida, this one's for you. We've got an expert here to walk us through the warning signs that a tree might be dangerous. So, let's get into it. First question - what exactly makes a tree hazardous? Watch’em Grow Tree and Lawn City: Daytona Beach Address: 308 Laurel Dr Website: https://watchemgrowinc.com Phone: [phone] Email: [e-mail]

Hey everyone, welcome back to the show. Today, we're talking about something that might be lurking in your backyard right now. Hazardous trees. If you're a property owner in Central Florida, this one's for you. We've got an expert here to walk us through the warning signs that a tree might be dangerous. So let's get into it. First question. What exactly makes a tree hazardous?

Great question. A tree is considered hazardous when it has structural defects in the roots, trunk, or branches that make predisposed to failure. We're talking about trees that could fall or drop large limbs and cause property damage or personal injury. The key thing is it's more than the tree's condition. It's also about location. A disease tree in the middle of a forest, less of a problem, but that same tree next to your house or a power line, that's a hazard. Right, so context matters. You can have a tree that's struggling, but if it's not near anything important, it might not be an

immediate threat. But I'm guessing most of us have trees pretty close to our homes, garages, driveways. What should we be looking for? Let me walk you through seven warning signs. First up, dead or dying branches. These can stay in a tree for years and the decay just keeps spreading. They're unpredictable and can fall without warning. Second, look for cracks or splits in the trunk or where major branches attach. These are serious indicators of structural failure waiting to happen. Makes sense. So visible damage is a red flag.

Exactly. Third sign. Fungus or mushrooms growing on the trunk or around the roots. That's a clear indication of internal decay. The tree might look fine on the outside, but inside it's rotting away. Fourth, watch for unusual leaf patterns. If you're seeing a thinning canopy, continuous leaf shedding out of season, or bare branches when there should be foliage, that tree is stressed.

I've seen trees like that in my neighborhood, actually. There was this oak tree that just looked sparse, you know. Turns out it came down in a storm a few months later. Luckily, it didn't hit anything. You were fortunate. That brings us to the fifth sign, leaning. Now, some trees naturally grow at an angle, but a tree is considered dangerous if it's leaning 15 degrees or more,

or if you notice that its angle of lean is increasing over time. It usually means root damage, soil erosion, or damage from extreme weather. The tree's anchorage is compromised. So it's more than whether it's leaning, but whether that lean is getting worse.

Right. Sixth warning sign. Root issues. If you've had recent construction, grade changes, trenching, or even sidewalk repairs, the roots might be broken or damage.

Roots are the trees foundation. damage them, and the whole structure becomes unstable. You might not see the problem above ground, but it's there. That's something a lot of homeowners probably don't think about when they're doing yard projects. Definitely, in the seventh sign, proximity to power lines or buildings. Trees too close to utility lines can cause power outages, fires, or electrocution risks if branches make contact. A damp branch touching a power line can conduct electricity right through the tree. I actually had a neighbor who ignored warnings about a tree near his power line, said he'd get to it eventually.

Well, during a storm last year, a branch snapped and took out power for the whole block. He wasn't too popular that week. Oh, wow. Yeah, I bet that was an expensive lesson. So that point about proximity to power lines really sets up our next piece, how storms amplify these risks. But first, a quick word from our sponsor. If you're concerned about hazardous trees on your Volusia County property, Watch Em Grow Tree and Lawns specializes in hazardous tree removals,

trimming for hardwoods and palms, stump removal, and land clearing. They help protect and increase your property value with professional tree care services and yard maintenance. Whether you need emergency removal or routine assessment, their team has the equipment and expertise to handle it safely. Learn more at Watch EmGrowave. Picking up on proximity to power lines and structures, how do storms and hurricanes complicate these hazards? We've had some brutal seasons lately. Hurricane seasons have definitely gotten

more intense in recent years. Storms can turn a marginally stable tree into a serious danger. High winds snap branches that are already weakened by disease or decay. Hollow trunks can split wide open. Heavy rains erode soil and accelerate root rot. Trees with shallow root systems are especially vulnerable. They just get uprooted. And by the time the storm hits, it's too late to do anything about it. Exactly. That's why proactive assessment is so important. Another thing people don't always consider ice accumulation in winter storms. The weight can snap branches. Lightning strikes can split trunks or create entry points for pests and disease. A tree might survive the strike but become structurally compromised.

So to everyone listening in Volusia County, if you're seeing any of these seven signs, what's the next step? Should they try to handle it themselves? Never attempt hazardous tree removal yourself. This is work for certified arborists. They'll conduct a thorough inspection, identify structural instability, disease or decay, and use specialized risk assessment tools. Then they can recommend whether the tree needs removal, cabling, embracing for support, or targeted pruning to remove dangerous limbs. I see that's good advice.

Professionals use controlled felling when there's enough space, directing the trees fall into a safe zone. For tighter spots, they use sectional dismantling, cutting the tree into manageable pieces. Near structures or power lines, they'll use rigging and crane-assisted removal. Every step requires proper safety equipment and insurance coverage. Have you ever wondered what would happen

if a hazardous tree on your property fell during a storm, the damage can be catastrophic, homes, vehicles, even fatalities in the worst cases. That's the reality. Trees falling on buildings cause costly repairs and can injure occupants. When they hit power lines, you're looking at fires and widespread outages. And there's a legal responsibility aspect here too. If someone knew or should have known that a tree was hazardous and failed to take reasonable steps to address it, they may be held liable for any resulting damage or injury. So it's more than safety. There's a legal obligation to keep your property secure.

Right. And in Volusia County specifically, there are regulations around tree removal. Generally, you need a permit when trees exceed certain size thresholds, over six inches in diameter at breast height and zoning setbacks, or fall under protection ordinances. Exemptions may apply for hazardous, dead or diseased trees, but you'll need proper documentation from a certified arborist to qualify. Before we wrap up, let's recap those seven warning signs one more time.

Dead or dying branches, cracks or splits in the trunk, fungus or mushrooms, unusual leaf patterns, significant leaning, root damage, and proximity to power lines or structures. If you spot any of these, don't wait. Get a professional assessment. Because waiting too long, that's when you really run into trouble. stress that enough. Early intervention protects your property and the people around you. Plus, it can save you money in the long run. Storm damage cleanup and emergency removal are way more expensive than planned removal. Acting early is really the smart move. Plus, removing disease trees prevents the spread of infection to healthy trees nearby. That's a really important point.

One hazardous tree can put your entire yard at risk. Well, thanks so much for breaking this down. Hopefully our listeners in Volusia County will take a good look at the trees on their property and act if they see any red flags. Who knows? Maybe someone listening right now will check their yard this weekend and catch a problem before it becomes dangerous. I hope so. Stay safe out there, everyone. And that's a wrap for today. Thanks for tuning in, and we'll catch you next.