Is it bad to cut down a tree?

Tree removal is commonly seen as damaging to the environment, but it is actually not always a terrible thing. The effects of tree removal depend on factors like the number of trees being removed, the trees health and safety, the location of the tree, and more. It is very well known that trees contribute positively to the environment by producing oxygen and cleaning the air, so how could it ever be a good idea to remove trees? Well, there are reasons why it may be beneficial to take a tree down. Let’s go over some reasons why tree removal may be a good thing.

Safety

Taking a tree down can sometimes be necessary for safety. A tree on your property may be compromised from disease, pests, damage from other environmental factors like drought, heavy snow, or windstorms. These compromised trees are more hazardous to your property because they are more likely to fall or lose branches. Additionally, if a tree is too close to your house or a structure it may be best to have it taken down even if it’s healthy, as it is not worth the risk of damaging your home if it were to fall.

Landscape health

Another reason why tree removal may be optimal is the health of other plants in your landscape. Trees generally provide a lot of shade, so if your yard is full of trees, then that does not leave much for sun loving plants to thrive in the space. Depending on the size of the area you have to work with, more plant diversity may require some tree removal. Additionally, unhealthy trees leave the rest of your landscape at a risk if they are infected or damaged. Fallen limbs can destroy plants below, or pests and infections may spread to other plants.

Aesthetics

Let’s not ignore aesthetics. You want to love all parts of your home, and that includes the outdoor parts as well. Wanting to be able to fully enjoy and use your yard is a valid reason for tree removal. Large or unsightly trees can take away from the beauty of a landscape. They might be providing too much shade, leaving your yard feeling dark and gloomy. Additionally, most trees produce debris, especially in the fall, so if you don’t have time for this maintenance then your yard will be left looking messy.

There is no doubt that trees have invaluable benefits to the environment, and tree removal is not right in all situations, however, there can be many situations where tree removal is safe or optimal. Always check local bylaws before moving forward with any tree removal.

Please note that before removing any trees from your property for any reason, check your local bylaws on tree removal. For larger trees that affect neighbouring properties you may want to consult with the affected neighbours as well. Additionally, do not for any reason remove any trees that are not on your property.