How do I know if my tree needs to be removed?

Deciding whether to remove a tree is one of the most consequential decisions a property owner can make. Large trees provide thousands of dollars in environmental benefits — shade, property value, stormwater management, air quality — so removal should be a last resort. Here are the key factors a certified arborist evaluates.

Strong indicators a tree should be removed:

• More than 50% of the crown is dead or dying — recovery is unlikely, and the dead wood poses a falling hazard
• Trunk decay exceeding 1/3 of the circumference — the tree may lack the structural strength to support itself
• Major structural defects with targets below: large cracks, splits, or codominant stems with included bark over areas where people walk, park, or live
• Root damage from construction affecting more than 40% of the root zone — decline is inevitable
• Significant lean that has developed suddenly (not a gradual lean the tree grew with)
• Hollow trunk — some hollowness is tolerable, but when the remaining sound wood is too thin, the tree becomes a hazard

Situations where removal may NOT be necessary:

• Dead branches in an otherwise healthy canopy (just prune them out)
• Surface roots — annoying but not a health concern
• Mushrooms at the base (concerning but not automatic removal — species identification matters)
• Leaf spot diseases, insect defoliation — these are usually manageable

Always get a professional opinion:

A certified arborist can perform a Tree Risk Assessment using standardized methods (ISA TRAQ). This evaluates the likelihood of failure, the size of the part likely to fail, and the targets that could be struck.

See our guides on Is My Tree Dangerous?, Signs a Tree Might Fall, and How Much Does Tree Removal Cost? for more information.