ArborLogic Group

This limb came down on a property in Greenville, SC last week. 🌳

The cause was included bark — a structural defect where bark gets trapped between two codominant stems, preventing a strong wood-to-wood bond from ever forming. Over time, that union weakens. Eventually, it fails.

The hardest part? From the ground this tree looked completely healthy. Green canopy, active growth, no visible signs of stress. That's what makes this type of defect so difficult to catch without a trained eye — most homeowners would never have flagged it.

This is exactly what a tree inspection is designed to find. A trained eye on the structure — not just the health — before something like this happens near your home, your car, or your family. 🍂

📞 864-642-4862 | arborlogicgroup.com

This codominant tree was already fitted with brace rods when I arrived for an inspection in Columbia, SC last week. 🌳

Codominant stems — where two or more trunks grow at roughly equal size from the same base — are one of the most common structural concerns I find on mature trees. The included bark at the union creates a weak attachment point. Without intervention, that union can fail under wind load or heavy rain.

Whoever managed this tree before understood the risk and took the right step. Three brace rods, well-placed along the stem. That kind of proactive management extends the life of a tree significantly.

Most homeowners don't know what a codominant stem looks like — let alone whether their tree has one. If you've got a large mature tree and you've never had it assessed, now is a good time to ask the question.

📞 864-642-4862 | arborlogicgroup.com

Does a leaning tree always mean a dangerous tree? Not necessarily — but knowing the difference matters. 🌳

I was brought in to assess this tree after a limb broke from the canopy. Significant lean, heavy canopy overhanging a structure, asymmetrical weight distribution. My initial read: active lean — wind damage, possible root plate movement.

I tested the root plate carefully. Nothing felt wrong. Still wasn't ready to make a call.

What settled it: I pulled up Google Earth Street View and traced this tree all the way back to 2008. Same lean. Same growth habit. It has looked this way for at least 17 years.

That's a corrected lean — the tree grew this shape intentionally, adapting its structure over time. Very different risk profile from a tree that recently shifted.

The recommendation was not removal. It was targeted pruning to reduce weight, structural cabling, and continued monitoring.

A thorough risk assessment looks at more than what's in front of you today — it looks at the tree's history. That context is often the difference between an informed recommendation and a costly mistake.

If you have a tree that's concerning you, a discovery call is a good place to start. 📞 864-642-4862 | arborlogicgroup.com

Do you need your trees inspected? A TRAQ Certified Arborist will come out, evaluate the structure, and tell you exactly what you're dealing with — that's really all a "Level 3 risk assessment" is. 🌳

We just have a fancy name for it. No guessing. No "it'll probably be fine." Just a clear answer.

If you've got a tree you're not sure about, that's the call to make.

📞 864-642-4862 | arborlogicgroup.com

When should you call in an arborist? 🌳

Before the first shovel hits the ground.

I got brought in on this one late. The project manager asked if the tree could be retained. I had to tell him it wasn't a realistic option.

60% of the critical root zone had already been disturbed within 4 feet of the trunk. And there was evidence the tree was in decline before construction ever started. The damage just accelerated what was already coming. 🍂

Wait until you can see the problem, and you've already missed your window.

If you have trees near a planned project, a discovery call before the work starts is worth it.

📞 864-642-4862 | arborlogicgroup.com

What would you do? 🤔

Large dead limb. Busy office park. People walking by on the sidewalk every day.

Do you cut the limb — or cut the tree?

It's not always an obvious answer. 🌳 When there's significant decay at the union, removing the limb doesn't automatically mean the rest of the tree is safe. And when people are the target underneath, the stakes are high.

A risk assessment is exactly what helps answer that question. A certified arborist evaluates the whole tree — not just the piece that's failing — and lays out the mitigation options so you can make an informed decision. ✅

Cut the limb. Cable it. Remove it entirely. The assessment tells you what's actually on the table.

Don't guess when people are walking underneath.

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Why does a tree look sick when everything around it looks perfect? 🌳

That was the puzzle with this dogwood. Curled, misshapen, yellowing leaves — but the lawn around it was lush and completely weed-free despite the summer heat.

That last detail was the key. A lawn that green with zero weeds in peak summer is almost certainly being treated. And tree roots don't stay under the tree — they spread well out into that turf zone and quietly absorb whatever is being applied there.

Herbicide damage. Not what most people would guess.

I typically recommend extending the mulch bed to cover as much of the root zone as possible. This generally reduces the need for herbicide applications near the tree and gives it a much better environment to recover in.

If your trees look off and you can't quite figure out why, sometimes the answer is right under your feet. 🌿

📞 864-642-4862 | arborlogicgroup.com