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take5.ca
AUGUST 2025
Tree Care Tips to Keep Your Tree Happy and You Safe BY GABRIELLE LEE Proper care of your trees will ensure they continue thei role to clean the air, deaden noise, add to property value, and, of course, stand as uniquely beautiful flora. However, they can become a liability if neglected, and owners must consider what needs to be done to maintain the trees on their property. Mark Myers, the proprietor of All Acres Professional Tree Service, offers owners tips and insight on maintaining the health and safety of their trees. Myers has spent over 30 years tending to trees. His extensive experience ranges from complete takedowns to straightforward pruning. Here are his suggestions for identifying dangerous trees. Monitor for root failure Myers advises starting with the base of the tree: “If … you notice around the bottom of the tree that there are cracks around the roots … that’s a sign that that tree is moving.” Cracks or separations in the soil suggest excessive root movement and are often a warning sign for root failure. Root failure can cause trees to structurally break down, leading to limbs dropping or the complete collapse of the tree. Watch for external signs of decay Myers points out that “if you find fungus on a tree … it generally means that the centre is rotten and the fungus is feeding from the centre. Bracket fungus in particular is a certain sign that … the tree could be dangerous.” Fungal fruiting bodies and cavities are hallmark indicators of decay. Their presence may suggest further internal problems or a tree in declining health. Be aware of codominant stems “When … they’re codominant, that’s when they can fail in a strong wind,” says Myers. “So always check the splits to see if there’s been any movement, any cracks.”
Mark Myers with a maple tree needing pruning to keep it safe. Photo: Marina Sacht
Codominant describes two or more stems growing from the same location on the main trunk, which gives the tree a distinct “Y” shape. This structure makes the tree more susceptible to separation, as these split stems fail much more frequently than others, especially in storms. Tend to dead branches “Cope with a tree as soon as it’s dying,” Myers warns. “[When the limbs] ... have been left too long … it [is] only a question of time before they’ll fail. They … get overmatured … very brittle and can just pop off at any time.” These limbs should be cut back or removed swiftly, especially if they are overhanging property or roads. Note weighty branches and limbs “You can thin [some trees] out so that the wind resistance is less,” Myers advises. “You take a limb out, miss a limb, leave a limb, you’re … thinning [the tree] out as if to cut down a sail.”
This process, known as pruning, helps to maintain the structural integrity and aesthetics of a tree. It also prevents excessive weight from being concentrated at the ends of branches, which can lead to failure and falling limbs. Take care of your trees and they will continue to provide environmental, aesthetic and economic value to the community.