Dying or Dangerous Trees...Perhaps Not Your Financial Worry

A few months ago we began doing various landscaping on a property and this tree did not go without notice.

This dogwood, which seems to have a Siamese not-so-twin in this pine at its root crown tends to want to find the sun more than most conifers, as most deciduous trees do, and it grew this way.

I don't imagine the Flood of 2015 and the rains preceding and thereafter helped the issue.

I initially told my customer I would contact some people I know in the tree-felling business. Well, my customers come first, and in light of how close this tree is to the street, I recommended they contact Richland County.

I love referring business to reputable associates, but a potential $600 to $1,000 saved, is simply that much saved.

My customer told me they were led to SC DOT and by my next maintenance visit, this and two other trees had been marked for removal - even more money saved.

While I was leaving the property today, a (unidentified?) delivery truck (rhymes with...never mind) hit the lower branch and I thought the whole tree was coming down after it swayed and undulated for a while.

The morals to the story:

1. We are blessed with a lot of wonderful trees and plant life in this area, but often many need to be removed, regardless of all the codes. I love trees, but so many properties' landscapes could be so much more manageable, safer and healthier, if so were done.
2. If you have a tree which you believe is dying, in danger of causing harm or has the potential to obstruct traffic, and it may be on city, county or state easement or property, then do yourself a huge favor first and check with your local governance.