By CM Precision Tree and Landscape Maintenance Inc. | San Diego, CA
You love your trees. But are they becoming a danger?
Trees are a beautiful part of any San Diego property. They offer shade, increase property value, and give your landscape a natural, peaceful charm. But what if one of those trees is no longer safe?
At CM Precision Tree and Landscape Maintenance Inc., we’ve helped countless homeowners face one of the toughest decisions on their property: when it’s time to say goodbye to a tree.
You don’t want to remove a tree too early. But you also don’t want to wait until it causes damage to your home—or worse, injury to someone you care about. So, how do you know when it’s time?
Let’s walk through the 7 signs that it’s time to remove a tree—and what you can do about it.
The Tree Is Dead or Dying
A dead tree is more than just an eyesore—it’s a hazard. Dead trees lose their structural strength and become brittle, especially under pressure from wind or drought. According to the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, signs of a dead or dying tree include:
- No leaves during the growing season
- Bark peeling away in large sections
- Brittle branches that break easily
- Fungi or mushroom growth at the base
In San Diego, where warm weather keeps many trees green most of the year, noticeable loss of leaves or color outside winter is often an early warning.
The Tree Is Leaning Dramatically
A tree with a natural lean isn’t necessarily a problem. But if your tree starts leaning suddenly or at a sharper angle than before, it could mean structural instability. The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) advises homeowners to look for leaning trees with:
- Cracked or heaving soil at the base
- Exposed or severed roots
- Directional lean toward structures, driveways, or footpaths
In San Diego’s clay-heavy soils, root instability is a common issue—especially after heavy rains or irrigation.
Large Branches Keep Falling
Healthy trees don’t drop large branches under normal conditions. If your tree frequently sheds limbs—even on calm days—it may be suffering from internal decay, disease, or stress.
This is especially true for eucalyptus trees (abundant in San Diego), which are known for sudden branch drop during drought conditions.
Roots Are Damaged or Decaying
What’s underground can be just as important as what’s above. Damaged or decaying roots make a tree unstable, even if the trunk and branches look fine.
Signs of root trouble include:
- Fungus or mushrooms growing near the base
- Soil movement or heaving
- Exposed, decaying, or girdling roots
As noted by California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), root rot is one of the most common tree-killing issues in Southern California landscapes, particularly when poor drainage is involved.
There Are Cracks, Splits, or Cavities in the Trunk
A trunk with large vertical cracks or hollowed areas can indicate internal decay. While some trees can survive with minor damage, large cavities compromise structural integrity and increase the chance of failure during storms or high winds.
The U.S. Forest Service advises removal when a cavity affects more than 30% of the trunk or the cracks reach deep into the heartwood.
Pest or Disease Infestation Is Spreading
San Diego’s trees face a number of threats from invasive pests and pathogens—like the Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer and Goldspotted Oak Borer. These tiny invaders bore into trees, disrupting nutrient flow and slowly killing the tree from the inside out.
Symptoms include:
- Tiny boreholes in the bark
- Sawdust or frass (wood dust)
- Leaf yellowing or dieback
- Fungal staining on the trunk
If a tree is heavily infested and shows widespread symptoms, removal may be necessary to protect surrounding trees and stop the spread.
The Tree Is Too Close to Structures or Utilities
Sometimes the issue isn’t the tree’s health—it’s the location. A tree growing too close to your home, sidewalk, or underground pipes may cause:
- Foundation cracks
- Roof and gutter damage
- Blocked sewer lines
- Interference with power or communication lines
If pruning can’t correct the issue, or the tree keeps growing into dangerous territory, removal may be the safest long-term solution.
You Don’t Have to Make This Decision Alone
At CM Precision Tree and Landscape Maintenance Inc., we understand that removing a tree is a big decision. That’s why we offer professional tree inspections and honest assessments to help you make the best choice for your safety, landscape, and budget.
We proudly serve San Diego and surrounding areas, offering:
✅ Tree risk assessments
✅ Safe tree removal and hauling
✅ Stump grinding and root removal
✅ Emergency tree services
Take the First Step Toward a Safer Landscape
- Walk your property and look for these seven signs.
- Snap a few photos of any tree that looks concerning.
- Call CM Precision Tree and Landscape Maintenance Inc. for an evaluation.
Let us take the worry off your shoulders—so you can enjoy your property with peace of mind.
CM Precision Tree and Landscape Maintenance Inc.
Keeping San Diego’s landscapes safe, beautiful, and healthy—one tree at a time.
