Often it can seem that the only way to deal with a problem tree is to remove it but, before deciding whether a tree needs to be removed, it is important to consider what is trying to be achieved by doing so, as well as what will be lost if the tree is removed. Very often, there are alternative options
Some of the reasons that we get asked to remove trees:
- The tree is too big
- The tree casts too much shade, preventing sunlight from getting to grass, greenhouses, flowerbeds or house windows
- The tree has taken our view away
- The tree overhangs a road, or footpath
- The tree is touching our house
- The branches are too low over a lawn, making mowing difficult
- Dead branches are dropping off, causing a hazard
- Live branches are dropping off, causing a hazard
- Too many leaves are blocking the gutters
- The roots are growing close to, or underneath, a building
- My tree is dangerous
Any more?
All of the problems listed above can be addressed by removing a tree, but they can also, in many cases, be resolved by pruning a tree, or by making other changes (i.e. to things other than the tree).
- The tree has got too big
A big tree in itself is not a problem. There isn’t a strong correlation between tree size and failure. If one looks across most landscapes with trees, large, tall trees can be seen. They have been, in many cases, larger than the trees around themselves for several decades and are still standing quite happily having endured many storms.Sometimes, the actual problem can be more to do with the amount of shade cast, or the amount of view lost. In these cases, see other points below.
- The tree creates too much shade
Shade created by trees is really important for our environments, on all scales. Imagine a green neighbourhood on a hot summer day, without tree shade! That said, we still want sunlight to reach our windows, our lawns and our flowerbeds. Sometimes a tree can be reduced all over to make it both shorter and slimmer. The benefit of a whole tree reduction should be enjoyed for several years. In other cases, we want light from a very particular direction, or at a particular time of day (sunlight first thing in the morning to brighten the kitchen etc.) and these can be addressed by reducing just part of a trees crown – either the top, one side, or the base (often called a crown lift). Sometimes, there can be just one branch in just the wrong place that needs to be dealt with!
- We’ve lost our view
This is another situation where reductions and crown lifting can be really useful. If a tree has grown up into a view line, then often reducing the height can be the answer. If the base of the crown is too thick, the crown can be lifted. A tree – or a number of trees – can frame a view really well and it is often better to use the tree to enhance a view where possible. Sometimes this can be as simple as cleaning/thinning part of a crown to create a view right through the tree. Not every option will work in every case, but it’s worth having some different ideas to think about.
- The tree overhangs a road, or footpath
Sometimes, a local authority will send out a notice to advise of trees causing an obstruction to roads or pavements and outlining the landowners duty to resolve the problem, within a set time frame. Whilst the letter received can seem unwelcome, very often the situation is quite straightforward to resolve. The local authority are only aiming to maintain the required clearance for traffic, not to rid the area of trees! In many cases, the trees in question can have their lowest branches pruned to give the required height above the carriageway (plus a bit to allow for growth and summer foliage weighing branches down).
- The tree is touching our house
This is not an ideal situation and should be resolved quickly. Rubbing branches can cause damage over time, especially during strong winds. This can usually be addressed by pruning back the branches which are causing the problem
- The tree prevents lawn mowing
This is an easy one to fix – crown lift!
- Dead branches falling are causing a hazard
Things start to get a bit more involved here as the health of the tree needs to be considered. It is quite normal for many species of tree to allow branches to die, in order that others may flourish. It doesn’t always signify that there is a problem or that the tree is behaving in an unexpected way. Sometimes it can indicate that something is really wrong with the trees health and it may be that something can be done to help the tree recover, though not always. Dead branches tend to fall off during high wind and the likelihood of somebody standing beneath a tree during high wind is usually low. If the branches will only land on a lawn then they are not a very high hazard. If the dead branches are over something of value (parking area, greenhouse, conservatory or other structure) then it probably best to remove the dead branches and consider the health of the whole tree.
- Live branches are breaking off
This can cause more concern as it can happen without warning. This is most usually a result of storm damage. If your tree has suffered storm damage then broken / hanging branches should be dealt with swiftly and a decision made about the integrity off the remaining tree. Very often, the branch that has failed shows a defect which would have indicated that branch failure was likely. In the event that the rest of the trees branches appear to be healthy, the tree can usually be retained. As a side note regarding broken live branches: In Cornwall, we have an abundance of Monterey Cypress (Cupressus Macrocarpa) which can have a tendency for live branches to break in strong winds. Very often these branches will break but stay attached, hanging down. In this case, the opportunity should be taken to remove the broken branches before they actually fall off and cause damage. Sometimes during an inspection, Monterey Cypress branches can be identified as obvious ones to remove but it isn’t an exact science and, if every Monterey Cypress branch that didn’t look 100% was removed, we’d have very few of them left!
- Leaves are blocking the gutters
This is usually caused by excessive overhang which can be addressed with a reduction of branches nearest the property.
- The roots are growing close to a building
This is usually less of a problem in West Cornwall than in other parts of the country, owing to our soil structure. That said, roots can cause a problem for structures, and some tree species are more concerning than others. This is handled on a case by case basis but it is very often possible to retain a tree growing close to a property.
- Dangerous trees
It is important to establish whether the whole tree, or just a part of it, is causing a hazard, and to what. It is very easy to overestimate the risk of damage when looking at a large tree swaying around in the wind and tree risk assessments can be undertaken, taking into account the actual likelihood of failure and the possible outcomes of failure. Very often, a hazardous tree is only hazardous because it might fall on a bench where people sit or is within striking distance of a house – could the bench be moved, or could the tree be made a little smaller so that it wouldn’t reach the property if it falls over… There are lots of options to consider
Our favourite bit – Reasons to retain a tree:
- It took a long time to grow into what it is – once it’s gone it’ll take a long time to replace
- It gives us and our gardens shade
- It gives us and our gardens protection from the wind and weather
- Trees can reduce noise pollution from roads and busy areas
- Trees between your property and a road can reduce the pollution which reaches your property
- Trees provide a habitat, food and shelter for many animals, birds, invertebrates and other life
- Trees help our mental health and wellbeing
- Every space is better with a tree – this is our opinion and we won’t be swayed…
- Trees can create a screen, giving privacy and hiding things that we might not want in our view
- Trees, together, can considerably lower the temperature in an area – quite a welcome benefit during our summers!
- Trees can boost the value of your property
- Amenity value – your tree will greatly benefit the wider community – we all like to see trees, walk beneath trees and to know that they’re nearby
Some of these benefits are personal ones but many of them are shared with the local community and to the wider environment. It is really important to consider all options before deciding on the best course of action.
If you’ve got a problem with a tree – give us a call and we can offer our experience in coming up with the best course of action – retaining trees where we can!
