Especially in recent years, as climate change has become a highly debated and discussed topic, it is now more important than ever to take care of the environment. In these efforts, trees and the threats to them are important factors to consider, as these mighty plants can be found all across the United States.
A census conducted by the USDA Forest Service found that there are nearly 300 billion trees in the United States, each one playing a critical role in the nation’s ecosystem. Research has shown that although there are trees in all 50 U.S. states, the highest percentage of coverage can be found in Maine, New Hampshire and West Virginia with coverage of up to 90%. Conversely, states with the least tree cover are North Dakota, Nebraska and South Dakota, with as little as 2% tree coverage.
The State of Today’s Forests
Despite this density of trees in the northeastern region of the United States, there are famous tree types found in every corner of the country. Hyperion, the name given to a famous coastal redwood in California, stands tall at 379 feet, rivaled only by Doerner Fir, a Douglas fir in Coos County, Oregon. On the east coast, Old Senator is a historic pond cypress in St. Augustine, Florida, and Emancipation Oak is a southern live oak in Hampton, Virginia. Although America is home to many famous trees, even common trees are integral to the well-being of the wildlife and environment that they serve.
Unfortunately, there are currently many threats to trees in the United States. Invasive pests and diseases are one of the greatest risks to a thriving environment, as they cause $40 billion in damages to plants annually. Additionally, 15% of the country’s forest cover, equating to about 50 million acres, is impacted each year by both native and non-native insects in the US. There are several reasons as to why this imbalance exists in American forests. First, the uncontrollable spread of non-native pests is a problem. Additionally, unsustainable logging, fire suppression and several other poor land management practices are at the root of these issues.
Another threat to forest cover are wildfires, which have recently made a significant impact on the trees in the Los Angeles area. Overall, wildfires burn millions of acres annually, with 13 billion total acres lost in the past 25 years. In California alone, the potential economic loss due to wildfires has skyrocketed to $135 to $150 billion, shattering the previous record for the state of $16 billion.
The most detrimental threat to trees in the United States is currently deforestation. This practice, which is the deliberate removal of trees en masse to clear space for other uses, has led to incredible loss in the past 25 years. States like Georgia, Alaska and Alabama have seen the most significant loss, with millions of hectares of trees destroyed in recent years.
The Importance of Tree Removal Services
Because there are so many threats to American forests today, it is more important than ever to rely on professionals for tree removal. DIY projects have the potential to get out of hand when not performed properly, doing more damage to the ecosystem and even the surrounding community. Professional services offer a variety of benefits, beginning with safety. Removing tall trees poses a risk of severe injury or even death if escape routes and fall zones are not properly determined. Convenience is also a large factor, as tree removal professionals already own all of the necessary equipment to get the job done. The cost of renting equipment for DIY projects is also excessive, and expensive damage is possible if not done properly. Any damage caused by professional tree removal services will be covered by insurance.
The cleanup process is also as important as the removal. It can be a big job for an amateur, requiring vehicles and machinery that professionals are already familiar with operating. Because of this, the effectiveness is heightened, ensuring that removed trees are unable to regrow and reducing the risk of future damage. Finally, there is a sense of experience and expertise that professionals bring to the table, offering invaluable advice and assessment prior to starting the project.
Conclusion
There are a number of key statistics for tree maintenance that professionals have the best grasp on. For example, common trees like oaks, elms, sycamores, pines and birches all have different timelines to reach maturity and have a different growth rate. Not only is it hard to identify these facts about trees, but when doing DIY removal, some of this important information may be overlooked. With professional help, these facts can be taken into careful consideration when taking on a tree removal project.
For not only tree removal needs, but also consultation, debris removal and professional assistance, enlisting a trusted service to get the job done is the ethical way to go. Using these services will protect oneself, their property and their community from potential harm and future damage.
Tree Service Expert
