Tree Analysis & Tree Condition Assessments

Many tree problems start as a nagging question. The big oak by the driveway dropped a limb. The pine behind the house seems to lean more than it used to. Mushrooms appeared at the base of a maple. You do not want to remove a healthy tree, and you do not want to ignore one that could fall on your home. A tree condition assessment from e Tree Service gives you a clear, honest look at the trees you are worried about so you can decide what to do next.

What We Look For

Our assessments are visual evaluations made from the ground and around the tree. We look at the whole tree and its surroundings, paying close attention to the warning signs that most often point to trouble.

Dead limbs and canopy decline. A few small dead twigs are normal. Large dead limbs, dead sections at the top of the crown, or a canopy that is noticeably thinner than it was a year or two ago can signal a tree that is struggling.

Leaning. We look at whether a lean appears long-standing or recent, whether the root plate on the opposite side shows lifting or cracked soil, and what the tree would hit if it went over.

Decay indicators. Cavities, soft or crumbling wood, fungal conks or mushrooms on the trunk or at the base, oozing and hollow sections can all indicate internal decay. Decay does not always mean a tree must be removed, but it matters a great deal when the tree is near a structure.

Trunk damage. Cracks, seams, split unions where two main stems meet, and wounds from past storms, equipment or construction can weaken a tree.

Root concerns. Roots cut during construction, soil piled over the root zone, trenching for utilities, compaction from vehicles and visible root decay can all affect a tree's stability and health, sometimes years after the damage happened.

Storm damage. After storms, we look for hanging limbs, torn bark, split tops and shifting at the base that may not be obvious at first glance.

Trees near structures and potential hazards. A defect in a tree in the middle of the woods is very different from the same defect in a tree hanging over a bedroom, a driveway or a playground. Location is always part of the assessment.

What You Get From an Assessment

After we look at the tree, we explain what we found in plain language and give you our recommendation. Depending on what we see, that may be to monitor the tree and check it again after a season or a major storm, to trim specific limbs to reduce weight or remove dead wood (see tree trimming), to remove the tree if the risk is significant and cannot be managed (see tree removal), or to consider additional tree care from a specialist when the situation calls for it.

We will be straightforward about which trees we think are fine. Not every leaning tree or mushroom is a reason to remove a tree, and we would rather you keep a healthy tree than pay to take it down unnecessarily.

When to Ask for a Tree Assessment

Common times to have trees looked at include before buying or selling a home, before construction near existing trees, after a major storm, when you notice a new lean, cracks or fungal growth, and when a large tree stands close to your home or a commercial building. Property managers often have trees checked periodically so problems can be planned for rather than handled as emergencies.

Residential and Commercial Assessments

Homeowners usually call about one or two specific trees near the house. Commercial properties may have many trees along parking lots, walkways and buildings. In either case, we walk the property with you when possible, focus on the trees you are most concerned about and point out anything else that stands out. Learn more on our residential and commercial pages.

Tree Assessments in the Communities We Serve

We provide tree condition assessments throughout Apex, Cary, Chapel Hill, Durham, Fuquay-Varina, Holly Springs, Pittsboro and Raleigh and nearby communities including Angier, Clayton, Knightdale, Morrisville, Wake Forest, Willow Spring, Youngsville and Zebulon.