If 50% of the tree is damaged, it should probably be removed. A tree that is in decline may continue to survive for many years, but it will always have limited or abnormal growth and appearance. Trees that have been damaged by an herbicide usually have deformed leaves, but they can often recover. Tree felling is often a last resort, when no other safe management option, such as pruning or disease mitigation, is sufficient.
Dead, dying, or dangerous trees can cause thousands of dollars in damage, in addition to the priceless cost of personal injury. Often, a tree doesn't seem dangerous until a storm or heavy snowfall reveals its vulnerabilities. Planting trees on your property can also have significant economic benefits. Properties landscaped with trees are, on average, between 5% and 15% more than houses without trees.
Parks does everything possible to preserve and protect trees in the public right-of-way until their state of health or condition justifies their removal. Parks does not remove healthy trees due to infrastructure conflicts with sewer lines or concrete from sidewalks.
