When spring arrives, and canopies around your neighborhood begin sprouting green leaves, it’s a beautiful sight. However, if you have a canopy on the property that shows no signs of new growth, you might be asking yourself, “How long can a dead tree stand?” Professionals offering tree services in Milton, GA, can perform an inspection and give you a time estimate, which could be a few weeks to several years.
Why Some Dead Trees Stand Longer
If you struggle to determine whether a tree is dead, you might be unsure whether it needs removal. A professional can give you advice about the health of the plant and help you decide how long a dead tree can remain standing before it could fall on your home or property.
The Reason It Died Plays a Role
When the trunk has an insect infestation or is weakened from disease that eventually kills the tree, it’s more likely to fall. Such infestations often affect the roots that you can’t see under the ground, which makes the plant more susceptible to falling in severe weather.
Some Species Remain Upright Longer
The species is one of the factors that affects the standing dead tree’s lifespan. How long can a dead tree stand based on the species? Some species can stand for several years after dying, such as a Douglas fir or a yellow cedar. Others might fall within a few weeks of dying, such as Ponderosa pines.
The Trunk’s Diameter Is Important
Trunks with a diameter of 12 to 18 inches at a height of five feet from the ground can often remain standing for at least a few years after dying. They tend to have a lot of firm wood that helps keep them upright.
A Solid Trunk Can Remain Standing
Solid trunks will help the dead tree remain standing longer than a trunk that has hollow spots or cracks. Trunks with cracks might break and fall within a few days after they die.
A Leaning Trunk May Fall Sooner
When the trunk lies at a severe angle, it often means the dead tree will likely fall sooner than a trunk standing vertically would fall. How long can a dead tree stand when the trunk is leaning severely? When the trunk leans, the roots were probably weak when the tree was living. Now that it’s dead, the weaker roots will fail faster. Excessive rain or wind could cause the roots to lose their anchor and drop the trunk to the ground.
Severe Weather Affects Whether It Falls
Understanding how climate influences how long dead trees stand often starts with paying attention to severe weather. A dead plant is more likely to drop to the ground from strong winds in a storm than a healthy plant. Preemptively removing the plant ensures you’ll remain safe when storms arrive.
When you have a dead tree in your yard that’s out in the open, it has less protection from severe weather and may fall more easily than a sheltered plant.
Request an Inspection From Southern Tree Pros If You Aren’t Seeing Green Leaves in the Canopy
So, how long can a dead tree stand? Just as importantly, what are the dead tree safety risks and the timeline for predicting when it might fall? At Southern Tree Pros, our team of experts can advise you on when to remove a standing dead tree.
If you have an odd situation, we can provide advice, such as when you need to understand why you have a dead tree with green leaves. The explanation could include that the roots are supplying moisture and nutrients, but tree removal is still recommended. For a free cost estimate, call us today at (770) 841-1684.
