Most trees are perfectly safe, but certain signs suggest a tree is weakened, and knowing what to look for helps you act before something falls.
Trees rarely fail without giving some hint beforehand. Wet Welsh winters, coastal wind and soft ground all put extra strain on mature trees, and a weakness that was harmless last year can become a problem in the next gale. You do not need to be an expert to spot the common signs. A slow walk round your tree with your eyes on the trunk, the base and the crown is a very good start. Checking after storms and again in spring, when new leaves show how the tree is coping, makes sense for any mature tree.
The upper part of a tree often shows trouble first, long before anything is obvious from the ground. Look for these signs, and note whether they are getting worse over time rather than only checking once. Binoculars can help if the crown is high, and photographs taken a few months apart make changes much easier to spot.
The trunk carries the whole weight of the tree and everything growing from it, so damage here deserves close attention. Be cautious if you notice any of the following signs on the stem, particularly more than one at the same time, because combined problems usually point to a tree that is struggling or already weakened.
What happens below ground matters as much as what you see above it. Lifting soil, new cracks in the ground or paving near the tree, or roots that have been cut by building or digging work can all reduce stability. Mushrooms around the base, or exposed roots that look rotten or soft, are further warnings. Trees on valley slopes and on waterlogged ground deserve particular attention because their anchorage can be poorer than it looks. Digging or building work close to a tree is a common hidden cause of root damage.
Do not climb the tree or try to cut it back yourself. Keep people, children and pets away from the area beneath it, and avoid parking under a tree you are worried about. Take a few photographs and note when you first saw the problem. If branches are near power lines, do not go near them and contact the network operator. Anything you think could fall soon should be treated as urgent.
A professional can judge whether a tree needs pruning, deadwood removal, reduction or, in some cases, removal. Before work starts, check whether the tree is protected, since trees can be protected by a Tree Preservation Order or by being in a conservation area, and your local council can tell you. In Wales, larger felling may also need a felling licence from Natural Resources Wales. We offer a free quotation after seeing the tree. A tree that is close to a house, road or footpath deserves a prompt visit, because the consequences of failure are far greater there.
We will visit, tell you honestly what is needed and give you a free, no-obligation quotation.
No. Many trees grow at an angle and are perfectly stable. The worry is a tree that has begun to lean recently, or one with lifted soil, cracked ground or fungus at the base. If the lean is new or growing, have it looked at promptly.
Not necessarily. Some fungi are harmless, but others feed on the wood and weaken it from inside. The type, the position and the tree's overall condition all matter, so it needs a proper inspection by someone who can judge it rather than a guess from a photograph.
Keep everyone clear of the area and do not try to cut it yourself. If it threatens a road, building or power lines, treat it as urgent. Contact us and we will advise on the safest way to make the tree safe.
Generally the owner of the land the tree stands on is responsible for keeping it reasonably safe. If a neighbour's tree worries you, speak to them politely first and share your photographs. If it stays unresolved, your local council can advise you on next steps.
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Read the guide →Stay calm, keep clear of the tree and any cables, and call for help, because a fallen tree can still be unstable and dangerous long after the wind drops.
Read the guide →A few sensible checks in early autumn can reduce the damage that gales and heavy rain do to trees, fences, hedges and outbuildings across South Wales.
Read the guide →Tell us what needs doing and where. We will come back to you, or call 07766 919630 if it is urgent.