Across the United States, there are close to 300 billion trees. Some states have more tree coverage than others–Maine has the most tree cover, clocking in at 89%–but trees play an important role in every state.
However, trees face many threats. Currently, the largest threat to trees is deforestation. For example, between 2001 and 2025, Alaska lost 6.3 million hectares of forested land. Similar trends are happening in other states, which speaks to the rapid rates of deforestation throughout the country.
Invasive pests are another threat. Around 50 million acres of forest cover in the United States are impacted by insects. When it comes to the economy, invasive insects and plant diseases also have an effect, causing $40 billion in damages to plants every year.
The third core threat to trees is wildfire. Wildfires can destroy vast tracts of forest in a short amount of time. For example, during the Palisades Fire in California, roughly 24,000 acres burned in the first 15 days.
These are examples of detrimental tree removal. However, it is important to note that there are times when a tree needs to be removed. In these instances, turning to the professionals is the way to go. Tree removal is dangerous if not done correctly, and is not recommended for untrained individuals. Additionally, professionals are the more convenient option, as they already own all of the necessary equipment, such as stump removers, ladders, and chippers.
Many factors influence tree health and removal. Threats such as deforestation can devastate an entire forest. On a smaller scale, individual trees sometimes need to be removed. In these cases, the tree removal process should happen via tree removal experts with experience, equipment, and training. Whether it be large-scale forest management or management of a tree in your backyard, there is lots to consider when it comes to taking care of trees.
