Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have any questions about deadwooding? View our most frequently asked questions below.
-
What is deadwooding?
Deadwooding is the removal of dead, dying and hazardous limbs from a tree’s canopy. A qualified arborist climbs the tree and works through the whole crown, cutting out dead material cleanly at the branch collar so the tree can seal the wound. It’s one of the most common pieces of tree maintenance, and on a large tree it’s usually the first thing worth doing to reduce risk.
-
How do I know if my tree needs deadwooding?
From the ground, look for bare grey limbs with no leaves on them during the growing season, branches that have lost their bark, or small dead pieces turning up on the lawn after wind. Anything from about 30mm across is heavy enough to injure someone if it falls from height. Bear in mind you can only see part of the canopy from below, so if you’re finding dead wood on the ground it’s worth having someone look properly.
-
Does dead wood mean my tree is dying?
Not necessarily. Trees naturally shed lower limbs as the canopy grows and shades them out, and a small amount of dead wood is normal. What matters is how much, and whether it’s increasing. A tree carrying a lot of dead material is usually under stress, and nine times out of ten there’s a cause behind it, such as root damage from building work, compacted or waterlogged soil, drought stress, or decay. If the amount is growing year on year, that trend is worth investigating rather than just clearing.
-
How often should trees be deadwooded?
It depends on the species, the age and condition of the tree, and what’s underneath it. A mature gum over a driveway or play area needs looking at far more often than the same tree in an open paddock, and a tree already showing signs of stress should be watched more closely again. We’ll give you an honest interval for your tree rather than putting you on a schedule you don’t need.