Sugar maples are popular trees in the United States, and for good reason. Their wide canopies provide plenty of shade, making them a perfect choice for your front yard or “tree lawn.” Sugar maples also provide a display of fall foliage by turning beautiful shades of red and orange when it gets cold. However, like any tree, they can develop problems that leave you wondering if it’s time to call a tree removal service in Missouri. Here are a few signs that your sugar maple needs to be removed, along with some things to know about sugar maples.
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Signs That Your Sugar Maple Needs Tree Removal in Missouri
No Leaves on the Branches
Trees may not show signs of disease throughout the entire tree- it may be limited to half the tree or even just a few branches at first. When you see branches that aren’t growing leaves, it’s an indication that those branches are dying off and could spread disease to the rest of the tree. Here’s a simple test to see whether a branch is truly dead: break off a twig and look at the inside to see if it’s brown or green. Green indicates that there is still life in the branch, while brown, brittle twigs usually indicate that the branch is dead.
There’s a Fungus Among Us
Mushrooms and other fungi might make a tree look whimsical, but they are a bad sign as to the health of the tree they’re “decorating.” Fungi thrive on decaying organic matter, meaning that if they start to grow on the trunk or around the base of your sugar maple, it’s beginning to decay while still standing. This can weaken the tree to the point where it’s likely to fall over.
Roots Causing Foundation Problems
The root system is perhaps the most important part of a tree. It’s what keeps the trunk standing, absorbs water and nutrients from the soil, and even stores those nutrients through the winter. Large or old trees may have thick roots that can inch towards a house and damage the foundation- yes, some tree roots are strong enough to crack concrete!
Branches Are Too Close to the House
Trees sometimes end up planted too close to a house when people underestimate how big they’ll get. What was intended to be a nice shade tree, can turn into an annoyance at best and a significant risk to your home and family at worst. Branches that grow too close to the house are especially risky if they’re growing near a window. Though they can be pruned or trimmed back, you may need to call for Missouri tree removal if the branches continue to grow the same way time and time again.
Storm Damage
Strong winds and lightning may actually remove a tree for you by knocking it over. However, it’s more common for the storm to inflict significant damage to the tree, which makes it unstable and dangerous. Lightning and wind can also break off large limbs, which can fall on property and in turn make the tree too unstable to stand on its own.
It’s Leaning Over
Speaking of instability, trees that begin to lean over pose a risk to homes and cars around them. Trees that have sustained damage to the root system may start to lean over and no matter how steady they may look, it’s usually only a matter of time before they fall all the way.
What is the Lifespan of a Sugar Maple Tree?
If you’re considering tree removal in Missouri for your sugar maple tree, you might wonder if it is really time to remove it yet. Many homeowners become somewhat emotionally attached to their trees, which can make it even more difficult to remove a young tree. How long do sugar maples live?
Sugar maple trees are incredibly hardy plants, with the average lifespan being between 300 and 400 years! They tend to develop a more grey color and deep furrows in their bark as they age. Although there is no way to know exactly how old a tree is without cutting it down and counting the rings, the condition of the bark is useful for estimating your sugar maple’s age.
Do Sugar Maples Have Deep Roots?
Some species of trees, such as the sassafras tree, are known for having large, thick, and complex root systems. Sugar maples, on the other hand, grow thinner and shallower root systems. They tend to have one or a few stronger roots growing downward to anchor the tree, then the majority of the roots grow outward.
Though sugar maple roots have a relatively large lateral spread, their small size and shallow depth make the root systems fairly easy to remove. When it’s time for tree removal in Missouri, make sure to call a professional- tree removal should never be attempted on your own or with a neighbor’s help. Instead, keep yourself and your home safe by counting on someone with the proper training and equipment.
