Fun Facts on Deadwood and the Arborist’s Reason for Taking It Out

One can only wonder when gazing up at a good shade tree and seeing some bare, brittle branches sticking out from the greenery. Are those dead limbs of no consequence or is there cause for concern? And what is it that compels an arborist to be so insistent on their removal?

We are fielding such questions in our day to day at Eastern Tree Pros, LLC. As a licensed and insured tree service of local ownership, we put in the work for residential and commercial clients throughout Eastern North Carolina from our Greenville area base. Should you have deadwood about your property and require the input of an expert, (252) 360-1889 is the number to reach us.

Then again, before making that call, there are a few things about deadwood we would like to put forward that may come as something of a surprise.

Defining Deadwood

In short, deadwood is any branch or limb that has died off and put down its growth. While it has a grim ring to it, this is all in the course of nature for a tree. Put simply, as a tree puts on height in search of the sun, it will shed the lower and interior ones. The tree will unceremoniously cut off the resources to a branch that is not getting its due in light or nutrients and let it die.

There are telltale signs:

• No leaves on a branch in the growing season
• Bark which is absent, cracked or peeling
• A gray, brittle quality to the limb
• Twigs that break with a snap rather than bend
• Any fungus or mushrooms you see on the branch

Some Unusual Facts About Deadwood

To the casual observer it is just a dead branch, but there is more to it. Most homeowners do not know these facts:

• In the forest, deadwood is an ecosystem unto itself; the fallen limbs are sustenance for the insects and small animals that in turn put nutrients back in the soil.
• You will find woodpeckers favoring the softer wood of a dead branch to make a nesting cavity or to get at insects.
• Some of the larger limbs will remain affixed to a tree for years, longer than one might think.
• Do not mistake deadwood for ailing tree. Even a sound tree will have its share of dead branches in the normal cycle of growth.
• “Widowmaker” is a term born of deadwood. Loggers and arborists have a healthy respect for a dead limb that has a way of letting go and coming down without notice.

All of this goes some way to explaining why you should be well informed about your trees. Which leads to the obvious question.

The Case for Removing Deadwood

Why would an arborist want to remove something so natural? Let them be in a wild forest and no one is the wiser. But in the vicinity of your home or driveway, or where the children play, they are a hazard.

Arborists will tell you to have them taken out for several reasons:

• For safety. There is always the risk of a dead limb giving way in high winds or ice, and a falling branch is hard on roofs and vehicles.
• To preserve the tree. One does not want disease and pests to make their way from decaying wood to the rest of the tree.
• It is better for the look of the place. Your tree will appear healthier and cleaner once the deadwood is cleared from the canopy.
• Growth. The tree can devote its energy to new growth instead of sealing off the dead spots.
• On a commercial level, it is a matter of liability and keeping the premises safe for those who visit.

Too often we are called after a limb has made its descent and the harm is already done.

Leave it to the Professionals

It may seem like an easy enough task to get rid of deadwood but the work is fraught with danger. Dead limbs do not behave and you may be climbing or in close to power lines. Leave the ladder and handsaw alone. An arborist has the training to do the job right and to prune in the interest of the tree’s future.

Our territory covers Pitt, Wilson and Craven counties, so whether you are in New Bern, Kinston, Vanceboro, Ayden, Williamston, Washington, Tarboro or anywhere in between, including Greenville, Eastern Tree Pros is here to help. We are at your disposal Monday to Friday, 7:30am to 6:30pm, and have 24/7 emergency service for the unexpected.

For a free estimate and an inspection of any deadwood, give us a ring at (252) 360-1889. Our team at Eastern Tree Pros, LLC is fully licensed and insured and we will ensure your property and trees are in good order.