Tree Removal 101: When and Why to Remove a Tree from Your Property

In the lush canvas of a garden, trees bestow character and a sense of presence. Safeguarding their health and ensuring safety becomes a paramount responsibility. At BZ Gardens, we specialise in arboricultural services, dedicated to ensuring the well-being and safety of your trees. Join us as we delve into the significance of removing hazardous trees, identifying signs of potential illness in trees, and highlight the crucial role of expert assessment and removal in maintaining a verdant haven.

Why It’s Important to Remove Dangerous Trees

There are quite a few reasons why removing a tree from your garden could be a good idea. Firstly, unhealthy trees pose a risk of falling. This can cause many hazardous outcomes, such as entangling themselves in electric cables, increasing the risk of power outages and other potential electrical problems. Not only can a leaning or weakened tree be a hazard to your property, but it can also endanger lives. Branches can fall without warning, which can increase the risk of hurting someone nearby. 

There is also the environmental impact to consider. Getting to the root of the problem as to why your tree is no longer healthy is of the utmost importance. Removing sick or infested trees can help prevent the spread of diseases to other trees within the vicinity.

The Decision To Remove A Tree

The decision of removing a tree should be no trivial matter, as it entails careful consideration of various factors impacting both safety and the environment. So here are some ways that you can tell if a tree needs to be removed from your garden or estate.

Structural Issues 

Firstly, look to see if your tree is having structural issues. Your professional gardening team can help you with this task, or they may alert you if they see something out of the ordinary. Structural issues can be anything from leaning or tilting, to cracks in the trunk of major limbs. Cracks can be a result of harsh weather conditions, such as storms and diseases, but they can also be from internal decay, so it’s vital that you have these problems looked at by a team of professionals. 

Health Concerns

Another reason to remove an unhealthy tree is because it can contain diseases and pest infestations. As mentioned above, a sick tree can infect the rest of the grove, so it’s vital to act fast. We would recommend firstly looking for discolouration of the leaves, or premature leaf drop. Unusual leaf discolouration, such as yellowing, browning or even blackening can be signs of a disease. Also, if leaves are dropping from your tree outside of its normal seasonal cycle, this can also indicate an underlying problem. 

Just like colour, the density of leaves provides valuable insights into the tree’s health. If a typically lush tree appears sparse, it may be signalling the presence of a disease such as ash dieback or a pest infestation like the Oat Processionary Moth. The Oak Processionary Moth is a moth species whose caterpillars create nests on oak trees. According to the National Trust ‘the caterpillars hatch in spring and go through several instars, eventually developing the irritating hairs. The caterpillars descend lower down the tree as they develop, stripping the tree of its leaves as they go, leaving it vulnerable and weakened’.

As well as the leaves, you can also look for bark abnormalities. If the bark is sunken in certain areas and swollen in others, this is known as cankers. These cankers can indicate a disease or infection. Another sign to look for is if the bark is peeling or cracking. This can show that the tree is in distress. When your tree hosts an unusually high number of insects, it might be signalling that the time has come to consider its removal.

Safety Hazards

Finally, if you notice that your tree could be a safety risk to you, your property or anybody nearby, this may be a good time to remove it from your garden. As mentioned above, dead or dying branches can become a massive threat. If you notice that branches are beginning to snap off, it can be hinting at an underlying issue.

When To Remove a Tree 

If you’ve come to the conclusion that your tree needs to be removed from your garden or estate, then you will need to consider what the optimal timing will be. 

Consider The Weather

There are many advantages to removing a tree during the dormant season. It can minimise the overall stress and promote easier handling.  With the cooler weather rolling in, many plants and trees are going into their dormant state.

Trees tend to go dormant in winter as a survival strategy to conserve energy and protect themselves from the harsh conditions of the colder months. However, the UK weather in the winter can be unpredictable, so it’s important to consider removing trees before any major storms or adverse weather occurs. This can prevent a number of potential hazards. 

Professional Assessment

It is not recommended to try and remove a tree by yourself. Consult a local arborist who is certified and has expertise in the area before attempting a tree removal. A professional assessment will look at the tree’s overall health and stability. 

With a professional on hand, they will also look at alternative ways to try and tend to the tree’s underlying issues before cutting it down.  They will also take into consideration the environmental impact of removing a tree. If the overall well-being of the surrounding environment is at risk, a skilled arborist can implement solutions to avert any additional harm. In addition, a skilled eye will also be able to plan our tree replacements. If new trees need to be planted to maintain the ecological balance and the aesthetic appeal of your garden or estate, you can leave it in the hands of your professional gardening team. 

How To Avoid Tree Removal In The Future

The prospect of tree removal is often our last resort, reserved for situations where the health or safety of the tree, property, or inhabitants is compromised. However, by implementing strategic measures and proactive practices, one can navigate the path of preservation, steering clear of the need for future tree removal. 

Regular Inspections

If you are undecided about hiring a professional gardening team, opting for one can proactively prevent future tree removal, making it a compelling reason to choose their services. According to Country Living ‘sadly, the threat to our trees is real and increasing, from climate change, which, if unchecked, enables the fast-spreading of pest and disease. There are 27 notifiable suspects in the UK’. 

Scheduled assessments of your trees from a skilled eye can help identify any early signs of diseases, pests or structural issues. An expert gardener can swiftly respond or address issues before they escalate which can, in turn, prevent you from needing any trees removed in the future. 

Pruning & Trimming

Along with regular inspections, having your trees pruned often can eliminate deadwood and promote much healthier growth overall. Strategic trimming can help maintain proper tree structure, which can prevent potential hazards.

Ongoing Disease & Pest Management

Ongoing disease and pest management can be a great way to ward off common offenders and act as preventive measures to protect your trees. Also, if you fear your trees are in the early stages of infection, swift treatment may also minimise the damage. 

How Our Arboricultural Services Can Help You

Ultimately, the decision to remove a tree should be based on a comprehensive evaluation of these factors, prioritising safety, environmental health, and adherence to regulations. Removing a tree isn’t a DIY task; we strongly advise consulting a professional arborist. Proper equipment, knowledge, and safety practices are crucial. If you’ve observed signs necessitating tree removal, BZ Gardens’ expert garden maintenance services are here to assist. Contact our team at 012522336009 or fill out the form on our Contact Us page.