A tree is generally a great addition to any environment, but there are situations where tree removal is necessary.
Trees most often need removing because they are dead, dying, diseased, dangerous or have outgrown their location. When trees outgrow their surroundings, they can risk injuring people or damaging property and infrastructure. Tree removal is also commonly used to create space for construction, landscaping, or civil engineering projects.
This article will identify situations where tree removal may be best and signs you may need to remove a tree.
If a tree is causing subsidence.
If a tree causes subsidence to a house or structure, it will likely need removing to prevent further damage. Subsidence occurs when tree roots extract water from the ground, causing it to contract and structures to shift downwards. Read our blog post “Worst Trees To Plant Near House UK” for more information about trees and subsidence. Signs that a tree might be causing subsidence include cracks in walls, misaligned doors and windows, sinking ground, and a lean or instability in the tree.
If a tree shows signs of decay or damage.
A decaying or damaged tree loses its structural stability. Keeping such a tree standing poses risks, particularly when it stands close to your property. Watch for these signs of decay and damage that may suggest your tree needs removing:
- Noticeable holes or hollow areas
- Trunk showing vertical splits
- Major trunk deterioration
- Stubs from dead branches
- Bark that peels unusually
- Splintered wood from lightning damage
Extreme weather, such as storms, can severely damage trees. If your tree shows signs of damage following a storm, you should consider getting a tree survey from a qualified tree professional.
If a tree has dead branches.
If your tree has dead branches, it might indicate that diseases, pests, or other stressors are affecting it. While the occasional dead branch shouldn’t worry you, multiple branches on your tree could point to a deeper problem. You can identify if a branch is dead through these signs:
- You’ll find bark decaying and falling away from the branch.
- The branch will be brittle and snap easily.
- You won’t see growth in the growing season, such as buds or foliage.
The best way to check if a branch is alive is to do the scrape test. Scrape the branch lightly, and the branch is alive if the layer underneath is green.
Dead branches, especially large ones, pose significant safety risks, as strong winds and severe weather can cause them to fall. If your tree has many dead branches, you should seek advice from a certified tree surgeon or arborist. They will assess your tree’s health and suggest any necessary tree maintenance.
If a tree has a fungal disease.
Several fungal tree diseases in the UK present significant threats, with ash dieback (Hymenoscyphus fraxineus) and Dutch elm disease (Ophiostoma novo-ulmi) being particularly widespread and destructive. Other notable fungal diseases include Dothistroma needle blight affecting pine trees, various species of Phytophthora, and Sirococcus blight. If your tree has a fungal disease, it must be removed and responsibly disposed of to prevent it from spreading to healthy trees. The most obvious signs of fungal tree disease are mushrooms or fungi growing on the tree, but you should also look out for:
- Leaf Spot: Fungal diseases can manifest as spots on leaves, which vary in size, shape, and colour but are generally round and discoloured.
- Leaf or Branch Wilting: Leaves or entire branches wilting can signify fungal issues.
- Soft Spots: Soft or mushy areas on the tree’s bark or trunk could indicate fungal decay.
- Bleeding Cankers or Wounds: Tree wounds that don’t heal properly can be a breeding ground for fungal infections.
- Peeling Bark: While some bark peeling is normal, excessive or abnormal peeling could signify underlying disease, including fungal infections.
- Soil Sogginess: Sogginess around the tree’s trunk can indicate root rot, a common fungal issue.
Identifying which tree fungus your tree has can be difficult without arboricultural training. We advise contacting an educated tree specialist if your tree shows any signs of fungal infection. They will confirm if your tree has a fungal infection and give you options to combat it, including tree removal.
If a tree has pest damage or harmful insect infestation.
An increasing number of pests are damaging the UK’s trees and threatening our woodlands. Pests can kill trees and spread quickly, infesting surrounding healthy trees. Many trees need removing due to pest infestation to help us limit the spread and save trees from harm. Here are the key UK tree pests with symptoms of what to look for:
- Bronze Birch Borer Agrilus anxius: the bronze birch borer larvae, or grubs, bore into birch trees and feed on their cambium and inner bark. Feeding on the inner bark and cambium restricts the movement of water and nutrients through the tree, with serious consequences, including death. Symptoms of a bronze birch borer infestation on birch trees are leaf yellowing and thinning, branch dieback, swelling and bumps on the bark, rust-coloured sap, and eventually “D”-shaped exit holes left by emerging adult beetles.
- Oak Processionary Moth Thaumetopoea processionea: The oak processionary moth caterpillars strip oak trees of their leaves, leaving them vulnerable, and pose a health risk to humans, causing rashes and breathing difficulties. The signs of an Oak Processionary Moth (OPM) infestation are the white, silken-webbed nests on oak tree trunks and branches and the distinctive nose-to-tail marching caterpillars. The Oak processionary moth caterpillars have grey bodies and dark heads, with prominent, long, white hairs contrasting with shorter, irritating hairs. Other key indicators include skeletonised leaves and defoliation of the crown. We’ve written a detailed blog post about Oak Processionary Moths in the UK, which provides images of Oak Processionary Moth caterpillars and essential information on how to deal with OPM.
- Horse Chestnut Leaf Miner Cameraria ohridella: The horse chestnut leaf miner’s larvae tunnel inside horse chestnut leaves, causing premature leaf fall and weakening the tree’s natural defences. In its weakened state, the horse chestnut is more susceptible to other pests and diseases, such as bleeding canker. The most visible signs of the horse chestnut leaf miner are dry, crisp brown or blotchy leaves and tracks within the leaves.
- Asian longhorn beetle Anoplophora glabripennis and Citrus longhorn beetle Anoplophora chinensis: both these beetles target broadleaf trees and cause similar damage, with the most obvious signs being large, roughly circular exit holes on tree trunks and branches, as well as frass (sawdust-like droppings) at the base of infested trees. They haven’t reached the UK yet, but there is a high risk they will, so you should stay vigilant for their presence.
Visit the Woodland Trust website for detailed information on UK tree pests and diseases.
If a tree is hollow.
While a tree trunk with a hollow opening might create a great photo opportunity, this can indicate your tree has weakened or developed internal decay. When tree limbs fall, they often reveal hollow spaces that owls and squirrels find perfect for nesting. Therefore, if you notice furry creatures peering out from your tree, this suggests your tree likely contains hollow areas. You won’t always spot signs of a hollow tree easily, although you may detect hollowness in a tree by striking different sections with a rubber mallet. This process is known as tree-sounding. Whilst this simple method allows you to examine the tree yourself, we recommend having a tree care specialist conduct testing as well. These professionals possess training to identify subtle variations in sound that indicate problems. Before removing a tree that houses owl or squirrel families, seek professional advice. Contact your local tree surgeon or arborist to assess whether the tree remains healthy enough to preserve.
If a tree has a new or severe lean.
Most trees naturally lean slightly to one side, as weight distribution is rarely equal. However, if you notice a severe tilt that affects the tree’s structural integrity or observe a sudden lean that wasn’t there before, you should question your tree’s well-being. Decay or damage from storms can also cause your tree to lean dangerously. Contact an expert arborist or tree surgeon to examine if your tree has developed a new lean or if you notice signs of uprooting due to the tilt.
If a tree shows signs of root rot.
You can save a tree affected by root rot. While aggressive treatment can combat the infection, an arborist may recommend removing the tree if it endangers safety. Identifying root rot presents challenges because you can’t properly examine the underground tree roots. Root rot also exhibits symptoms similar to tree ailments, so diagnosis is tricky. Root rot displays these symptoms:
- Stunted growth
- Brittle and rotting branches
- Yellowed or discoloured leaves
- Crown deterioration
- Fungal growth emerging from roots
- Depressed or sunken bark areas
If a tree is dying or dead.
When an arborist confirms your tree has died, you must remove it. A tree care specialist can potentially save a diseased tree, but you cannot revive a dead tree under any circumstances. Look for these clear indicators of a dead or dying tree:
- Absence of leaves or buds during growing months
- A trunk that leans noticeably
- Lifeless branches throughout
- Signs of disease or pest infestation
- For evergreen trees, watch for a sparse canopy, falling needles, or brown-tipped needles
If a tree is in a dangerous location.
Even a completely healthy tree can create significant concerns due to its location. Trees close to your house, electrical cables or other buildings can pose a considerable risk, so sometimes removal is the safest option. No property owner fancies the frightening prospect of a threatening tree smashing into their roof or disrupting their electricity supply. If you believe a tree threatens its surroundings, contact a professional tree surgeon or arborist immediately. They can perform a tree inspection and risk assessment to help you decide whether tree removal is necessary.
If a tree is in an unsuitable location.
It is common for trees to outgrow their locations, meaning they may need removing. Thoughtful tree planting and construction can help to avoid these situations, but there are often oversights in these matters. Trees which grow too big for their surroundings can cause damage and problems, so removal becomes unavoidable. If you remove a healthy tree only because it’s in an unsuitable location, we suggest planting a new tree to replace it. Trees are crucial for us and the environment, so we must do what we can to increase their numbers.
As you can see, many situations and scenarios exist where removing a tree is okay and responsible. That said, we recommend consulting with a recognised tree professional to help you decide. Qualified tree surgeons, arborists and surveyors will thoroughly assess the situation, present their findings, and offer suitable solutions.
North London Tree Surgeons has fully qualified tree surgeons and arborists ready to help with any sick, dying, diseased or dangerous tree. We can also provide professional and insured tree removal in North London and the surrounding areas.
Contact our friendly team for free arboricultural advice or to arrange a no-obligation site visit and quotation from an expert arborist or tree surgeon in North London.
FAQS about when to remove a tree
How can I diagnose my tree?
While it may be possible to diagnose a tree ailment yourself, you should get your diagnosis confirmed by a certified arborist or tree surgeon. These professionals possess extensive knowledge in tree care and can identify symptoms that untrained individuals might miss.
How can I save my diseased tree?
If you notice any signs of disease in your tree, contact a qualified tree surgeon or arborist immediately. To save a diseased tree, act quickly and begin curative treatment ASAP. A tree care professional will either provide the necessary treatment or recommend tree removal if the tree poses a risk to its surroundings. Remember that some tree diseases are incurable, and removing diseased trees is essential to protect the surrounding healthy tree stock.
My neighbour says they can cut down my tree. Is it safe to hire them?
Exercise caution with individuals who claim tree expertise without proper credentials. Employing an uninsured, self-proclaimed tree expert increases the likelihood of injuries, property damage, and fatalities. Therefore, unless your neighbour holds adequate certification and insurance, we don’t recommend using their tree removal services. Contact a highly qualified and fully insured tree surgeon or arborist for felling and removing trees.
What can I do if my neighbour has a dangerous tree?
If your neighbour has a dangerous tree that threatens you, your family, or your property, start a direct conversation with them about your concerns. Suggest hiring a certified arborist to inspect the tree and follow their recommendations for removal, offering to cover the cost if necessary. You should request to attend the tree inspection or obtain written documentation of the findings. If they refuse, send a formal letter outlining your concerns and the potential legal consequences if the tree causes damage or injury (this often prompts action). Keep copies of all communications for your records. If needed, seek legal advice or file a nuisance claim. The court can require your neighbour to remove the tree if it is deemed a nuisance. Visit the GOV.UK website for further information about resolving neighbour disputes.
