Best tree service pros near Ripley, WV

Not all leaning trees are dangerous, but they can be a hazard as gravity may eventually cause them to fall. A key factor is whether the lean is new or has been present for a long time. Trees that have grown with a lean for years are not typically an immediate danger, but a sudden lean is a cause for concern as it often indicates weakening roots. If a tree is leaning more than 15% from vertical, you should consider having it straightened or transplanted. To be safe, it's always best to hire a professional arborist to inspect any leaning tree to assess the risk and avoid potential accidents.

If you’re wondering whether you can plant a tree where the stump was removed, know that the soil conditions won’t be ideal, so you should avoid it. The soil beneath the previous tree will likely be depleted of nutrients, plus there may be roots left behind that will seriously hinder the growth of a new tree. Also, if you use salt or other chemical solutions to kill the stump, these can linger in the soil for months or even years and prevent healthy growth. It’s best to choose a different spot that’s at least three feet away for a new tree, or wait at least a year and thoroughly amend the soil before you plant.

Aside from removing dead or diseased branches, you should prune your trees somewhere between every one and three years. Some people—particularly commercial farmers—prune their apple trees yearly to produce higher yields. This is the best way to promote tree health. That said, the average homeowner can get away with hard-pruning their mature apple tree every other year or every three years. 

Your neighbor is not in a good position to know if your trees are truly dead or pose any kind of danger. That’s why hiring an arborist or tree service expert can be such an important part of the process. If the trees are still alive and don’t pose any threat, you’re in the clear (but you may want to document and photograph everything in case events turn sour down the road).

But if a tree is visibly dead and near the property line, you should remove it to be safe. If a dead tree falls on a neighbor’s property, they may have grounds to sue for negligence. If any branches on trees have died, it’s a good idea to cut them back for similar reasons.