Tree removal is a topic many people hesitate about. Whether you're talking about a single sapling in your yard or acres of forest, cutting down, trees have long been seen as damaging the local environment, but this is not always the case. Discover how proper forest management and carefully considered tree removal can benefit you, the landscape and native animal species.
Forests depend on cycles of life and death. These cycles were naturally achieved with wildfires in the past, but now we often strive to prevent fire from taking down older trees. However, one purpose the destruction of old trees serves is to promote new growth. Older trees, while beautiful, compete with newer trees and other species of trees in a forest. This can lead to stagnant growth and reduced diversity and development in a forest.
A diverse forest is a healthy forest. Multiple species of trees and animals can thrive when living in the same area. Diversity in a forest also allows for other plant species to flourish, such as blueberries, mushrooms, fruits and nuts.
Tree removal isn't the same as clear-cutting. Work with a local tree service to manage your forest and weed out trees that affect your property's overall health. Removing a few trees not only gives you access to wood and other resources but also promotes diversity in your local environment.
Some animal species can lose habitats due to a lack of tree removal. Forests are homes to many habitats, and some animals only thrive in a young forest environment. Carefully removing particular trees and managing a forest can be the best way to promote a healthy environment for these species of animals.
5 Reasons You Should Cut Down a Tree
There are many reasons for felling trees, such as making paper, producing timber, making space for new constructions, etc. Still, we're more interested in the reasons for felling trees when it's not for any kind of commercial purposes.
Of course, we don't want to cut down a tree unless there's a reason for it, but you often hear about all of the reasons why you shouldn't cut down trees but rarely why you should. Sometimes it can be just as important to cut down a tree as it is to leave it be, but it's not always easy to spot the reasons why.
The Tree Has Died
It's usually relatively obvious when a tree has died, and whilst it may not look particularly attractive, it's doing no harm, right? Wrong. Whilst it may be easier to simply leave a dead tree. This can cause many problems and, in some circumstances, can lead to serious injuries. As well as it being much easier for dead branches to snap off and hit people, pets, objects etc., it's also much easier for the whole tree to fall when it's dead, especially in bad weather conditions. This can not only lead to injuries but also damage to buildings and property.
The Tree Has A Disease
You don't always have to feel a tree at the first sign of disease. However, you do need to act quick, pruning any branches that look like they are infected. If the disease has spread too far, you should contact a tree surgeon to look at it, and if necessary, remove it, as leaving an infected tree can lead to a wealth of problems. For one, the disease can spread to other plants and trees in your garden, and it can also attract pests, such as insect infestations and rats that can later get into your home. Not treating a diseased tree will eventually lead to death, so you will need to fall it later if you don't treat it now,.
The Tree Is Growing Too Close To Something.
Despite the popular opinion that a tree growing too close to a house can cause cracks in its foundation, it's quite rare for this to happen. However, there can be other problems that crop up when a tree is growing too close to something. Trees growing too close to drains can lead to blockages, as their roots can get into them. Large trees can also cause smaller structures, such as paving slabs, summer houses and garages, to lift slightly as they grow underneath them. Branches can also cause physical damage to roofs and guttering, so it's important to prune any that may be growing too close.
The Tree Is Leaning In A Certain Direction
If a tree is leaning in a certain direction, there will be more weight on one side than the other, making it more susceptible to falling in bad weather conditions. In most cases, it's fine to leave it be; however, if it is leaning in a direction that could cause harm or damage if it were to fall, it's best to remove it.
The Tree Has Interior Decay
This one isn't easy to spot and will often need the skills and expertise of a tree surgeon to identify. Since it is hard for the average person to spot, it can be even more problematic, as, with some of the points above, it can lead to structural problems. As you can't see interior decay, the tree can deteriorate without you knowing, which could lead to trees falling or snapping unexpectedly.
What are the Advantages of Cutting Trees?
Trying to save a tree may lead to a negative effect. Both to human and the environment. This is a very strong notion. And which may lead you also to disagree. But if you'll come to know the advantages of cutting trees deeply, you will agree with this notion.
Tree cutting, if managed well do have multitudes of advantages. In general, what we usually see is when trees are cut down, our conscience tells us that we have committed an act that is very much against Mother Nature. But then, we need to check out the truths about these considerations. For if you'll agree with me, not to include those who have ill intentions, cutting trees always bear good reasons. Meaning, one will not ask to cut down a tree just for the sake of cutting it down. But probably has a good and valid reason for doing so, likewise, with those tree cutting services such as that of Tall Timbers Tree Services. Or even that of National or Government Forest Industries. For sure, their reason for cutting trees are undoubtedly valid and credible.
If you may have noticed, it is from trees that we can use wood for so many different purposes. Also, forest health and vigour are maintained by timely and correct tree cutting processes. Which, in many ways, also encourages tree regeneration, a better future of trees or forests, and many more.
Then directly let these prefaces of advantages of cutting trees lead you to a deeper understanding. And help you create a sense of willingness to accept the reality that trees are beneficial for the survival of human beings. As well as that of animals, wildlife species and other plants. In other words, of the entire ecosystem.
For Wood Use
At least four to five pounds every day are our wood needs. That doesn't mean we cut trees, and there'll be no more trees to grow. Trees grow continually. And if cutting of trees is managed well, trees grow wood for everyone forever. So, one of the advantages of cutting trees is the provision of our wood needs. Either for huge needs such as building wooden houses, wooden utility poles, business boxes for their products, etc. Or for daily uses such as our toilet tissues, matches, newspapers, books, other reading materials, posters, and many more.
For Maintaining Trees Health and Vigour
Insects and Tree diseases are minimised when trees are well managed and maintained. This would mean not saving the tree even if this is already decaying due to insects, aphids and ants. Rather, cutting it down when this condition occurs can save the tree instead. Now, the question is, are you allowed to cut a decaying tree all by yourself? There is only one answer to that question. And that is 'absolutely, no!'
The cutting of trees is only meant for professional arborists. Or, you will suffer from consequences such as physical injuries and or liabilities due to unexpected accidents. These accidents can be trees that fell on other's properties that may cause damages. Or, even fatalities of passers-by whom you missed to inform upon doing the cutting of the trees. All that said, aside from trees health and vigour, safety and well-being are also one of the best advantages of cutting trees.
For the Increase of the Value of Trees
A well-managed tree through proper tree cutting and reforestation can enhance the tree's financial value. These advantages of cutting trees often benefit those big corporations and stockholders. Who, in their efforts to manage well trees in the forest, earn tens of million dollars.
For Tree Regeneration
Trees also need light, soil and water. So other trees surrounding a particular tree needs to be cut down to allow the sunlight to improves its growth. Especially with the leaves and trunks that need the processes of photosynthesis. Which makes trees grow healthier and continuous in regeneration.
For Ecological Services
Trees can also be the cause for other plants not to grow well. Especially when these already can block roads and create too much shade for other plants or grasses in your lawn. Given these points, you have a good reason to cut down trees and give way for your other plants to grow. Then you'll see that though you want those trees to live. Still, you are for the advantages of cutting trees that paves the way for your other plants to survive.
For Human Needs Provision
We may neglect to see the truth, but the human population are increasingly growing. Thus, with also an increasing need for products that come from trees. Primarily, to accommodate these needs, there is a necessity to cut down trees. And more than just a need, the advantages of cutting trees in this way is also saving the lives of human beings. But, of course, in the most proper ways of tree cutting processes or services and management.
For Habitat Requirements
Other vertebrates or wildlife species need a habitat that comes from trees. Trees that are properly managed and maintained. To most, the habitat will only survive if trees will remain as forest. And it did not need any maintenance or proper tree cutting services at all. However, the ideal habitat for most species are trees that are maintained in the best way.
For Tree Restoration
The way to tree restoration is through proper tree cutting. For the past practices, tree restoration or processes of reinstating ecological processes actually had some alterations. The way was not about cutting trees and letting other trees surrounding grow healthier. Nor to restore the trees. But they are turning the forest into chaos. Hence, to date, multi-step restoration processes are already created, which can truly be the point as one of the advantages of cutting trees. Though the process is cutting down trees, still, it restores more trees to benefit humankind.
For Useful Products
Not all trees produce good timbers. However, when trees need to be cut down, there are other purposes it gives to the human being that are truly useful. For example, these trees being cut down are turned into craft materials, medicines, wooden plugs for mushrooms, maple syrup, and many more. Thus, the benefits of cutting trees can also develop hobbies and cottage industries. That, in most ways, can be the source of income for many.
For Family Sense of Responsibility
It helps to develop a sense of responsibility to ecology when all the members of the family are involved in the management of proper tree cutting processes. Also, this can give a clearer view of the importance and benefits of cutting trees. And develop relationships as well as for the sense of belongingness and connectedness with the entire ecosystem.
All the advantages of cutting trees can only truly benefit humankind if there is good tree management and or processes. Otherwise, you're not really going forward for progress. What you're actually doing is stiff to with your old beliefs and limited ideas. That won't even bother to do something about the new insights you learn and discover. Thus, as an eye-opener, it is important to put into action all the new discoveries that you learn, especially about the advantage of cutting trees, the proper management of trees or forest and your connection with the entire ecosystem. Only then you are able to truly appreciate the usage, advantages and benefits of trees in your life.
FAQs About Cutting Down a Tree
Trees absorb and store carbon dioxide. If forests are cleared, or even disturbed, they release carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. Forest loss and damage is the cause of around 10% of global warming. There's simply no way we can fight the climate crisis if we don't stop deforestation.
Without trees, formerly forested areas would become drier and more prone to extreme droughts. When rain did come, flooding would be disastrous. Massive erosion would impact oceans, smothering coral reefs and other marine habitats.
Trees purify the air by absorbing pollutants such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide, reducing pollution. Trees also help prevent topsoil erosion because they break the force of wind and rain on soil, their roots bind the soil, and their decayed, falling leaves are absorbed by the earth and enrich the soil.
Plants are the foundation of all food chains. Without trees there would be no paper, no pencils, even no coffee or tea, but more fundamentally there would also be no food for animals, or us, to eat. And since 70% of the Earth's land animals and plants live in forests, the majority would lose their habitat.
We need trees for a variety of reasons, not least of which is that they absorb the carbon dioxide we exhale and the heat-trapping greenhouse gases that human activities emit. As those gases enter the atmosphere, global warming increases, a trend scientists now prefer to call climate change