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What is Dead Wooding?
Dead wooding is the process of removing dead or dying branches from a tree.
Branches die off for several reasons, ranging from light deficiency, pests and disease, which causes root damage.
A dead branch will decay back to the parent stem, causing abscission and fall off- this is a potential hazard! One of the main reasons to use a dead wooding service is to provide safety for surrounding buildings, people and roads. Situations that usually demand such removal would normally be trees that overhang public roads, houses, public areas and gardens.
w growth. This results in a healthier, more vigorous tree, with resources focused on developing stronger branches and foliage.
Reasons Your Tree Needs a Dead Wooding
Health Maintenance: Removing dead or diseased branches helps prevent the spread of decay that can weaken a tree over time. These branches often harbour harmful pathogens like fungi and bacteria, which, if left untreated, can spread to healthy parts of the tree or even infect nearby trees.
Safety: Dead branches are more prone to breaking, especially during high winds, storms, or under the weight of snow and ice. Removing them reduces the risk of unexpected falls, which could cause injury or damage to properties, vehicles, and power lines.
Aesthetic Improvement: Trees with dead branches can appear neglected and unsightly. Dead branch removal services enhance the tree's appearance, contributing to the overall beauty of gardens and landscapes.
Structural Integrity: dead wooding trees helps balance the tree’s structural load, preventing imbalances that can cause falls or splits. This is especially important for older trees or those in urban areas, where falling branches pose a greater risk to public safety.
Promote Growth: Pruning dead branches allows the tree to redirect its energy from maintaining or repairing damaged limbs to promoting new growth. This results in a healthier, more vigorous tree, with resources focused on developing stronger branches and foliage.
How is Dead Wooding Different to Tree Pruning?
Whereas Dead Wooding targets the removal of dead, dying or diseased branches, pruning is a branch removal process carried out for a few different reasons. Pruning is typically used to control the growth of trees, bushes and fruit trees, while also contributing to healthier, blossoming plants. Hedge trimming for example, should be performed to control the size, shape and healthy appearance of your borders.
There are many different methods, techniques and reasons for pruning. Our pruning techniques include Crown Lifting, Crown Reduction, Crown Thinning, and Tree Pollarding. Sometimes, this involves removing healthy wood, such as in formative pruning, which helps guide the tree’s future growth and structure. For example, we may remove a competing leader in a young tree, thin the crown to encourage new growth and improve air circulation or reduce the tree's height to decrease shading or reduce the risk of wind damage.
Why is Professional Dead Wooding the Best Option?
Prioritise Safety & Reduce Risks:
The removal of dead wood is an inherently hazardous task, especially when dealing with large, unstable limbs or trees situated near structures and power lines. Professional arborists are trained to operate in these high-risk environments, adhering to strict safety protocols. They utilise specialised tools and personal protective equipment to prevent accidents.
Arboriculture Expertise:
A certified arborist possesses an in-depth understanding of tree biology and the specific physiology of various species. This knowledge is essential for making precise cuts that encourage vigorous growth and minimise stress to the tree.
Professional-Grade Equipment:
The effectiveness and efficiency of deadwood removal are directly linked to the quality of the equipment used. Our professionals have access to a range of high-grade, specialised tools that allow for precision, speed and safety.
Promoting Long-Term Tree Health:
Improper pruning techniques can inflict lasting damage, creating wounds that leave a tree vulnerable to pests, decay, and disease. Our tree surgeons know where it is best to cut back dead branches and ensure your tree can recover properly.
FAQs on Dead Wooding
Regular pruning will encourage your tree to maintain its health; with reductions, it receives more light to all branches, which will encourage branches to continue growing. For advice on your plants’ growth as well as tree diseases, speak to our arborists today.
Either late winter or early spring is an ideal time for removing dead wood because trees become dormant in the colder months, with fewer leaves. With fewer leaves, it’s easier to identify your dead or weak branches and cut them back before the spring, when the tree uses more energy. By removing old, dying branches, new growth is encouraged, and the tree’s energy can be put towards growing new branches, leaves and fruits.
A splitting branch is a sign of a dead or dying tree, but not always a defining symptom. If branches are split, they’re more likely to break off or snap. A split also provides an opening for pests to enter and damage the tree this way too.
Get in touch with our Chas-accredited tree surgeons today for a free quote!
Our services are tailored towards homeowners & commercial landscapes / public sector companies, offering a range of tree and hedge services, including but not limited to:
- Tree Cutting
- Tree Removal
- Hedge Trimming
- Dead Wooding
- Tree Pruning
- Stump Grinding
- Emergency Tree Services
Areas We Cover Include: Belbroughton, Stourbridge, Halesowen, Kidderminster, Kingswinford, Bromsgrove, Harborne, Hagley, and other areas across The West Midlands
Working Hours: Monday-Saturday 6am-6pm
