Early spring is the time to spot problems before trees are in full leaf. Here’s our useful checklist that you can use now to identify issues and prevent damage to people, property and the trees themselves as well as showing you where a tree surgeon can help to get the safest and best possible results.
1. Safety First: High‑Risk Issues
These are your top priorities and should not be ignored:
- Dead or hanging branches over roads, paths, seating areas, sheds or parked cars.
- Large branches that have cracked, split or dropped recently.
- Trees that have started to lean, or where the ground has lifted or cracked around the base.
- Storm damage from winter – twisted, broken or half‑attached limbs.
Action for you: Keep people and vehicles away from obvious hazards and avoid standing directly under damaged limbs.
Where a tree surgeon helps:
- Formal visual tree risk assessment.
- Safe removal of dangerous or hanging branches.
- Advice on whether a damaged tree can be made safe or needs to be removed.
2. Structural Health: Preventing Future Problems
Once immediate safety issues are addressed, look at the tree’s overall structure:
- Branches rubbing against each other or against roofs, gutters, fences and cables.
- Very dense crowns that let in little light and catch the wind.
- Low branches obstructing driveways, pavements or sight lines.
Action for you: Note problem areas and, for small low branches, you may lightly prune with clean tools if you are confident and it is safe to do so.
Where a tree surgeon helps
- Crown lifting (raising the canopy above paths and drives).
- Crown thinning or reduction to improve structure and reduce wind loading.
- Long‑term pruning plans to keep trees a sensible size for their location.
3. Pests, Diseases and Decline
Early signs of poor health are easier to spot before the canopy is fully developed:
- Sections of the crown that remain bare when the rest of the tree is in leaf.
- Repeated dieback of twigs at the tips.
- Fungal brackets on the trunk or around the base.
- Bleeding or oozing patches on the bark.
- Leaves that emerge small, distorted, discoloured or unusually early/late.
Action for you: Take clear photos and note which part of the tree is affected and when you first noticed it.
Where a tree surgeon helps
- Diagnosis or referral to a plant health specialist.
- Pruning out infected or dead wood where appropriate.
- Monitoring and management plans for trees in gradual decline, including when to consider removal and replacement.
4. Roots, Soil and Site Conditions
Roots are often overlooked but critical. Consider the following:
- Compacted ground under the canopy from cars, heavy footfall or stored materials.
- Recent digging or building works near the base or cutting through roots.
- Soil piled up against the trunk, or grass and plants growing tight to the bark.
- Poor drainage or standing water around the base.
Action for you:
- Stop parking or storing heavy items under the tree.
- Create a simple mulch ring with woodchip or bark, keeping it a few centimetres away from the trunk.
- Avoid cutting visible large roots.
Where a tree surgeon helps:
- Root‑zone investigations and advice on protecting roots during building work.
- Soil decompaction and improvement where trees are struggling.
- Guidance on when root damage poses a stability risk.
5. Planning Ahead and Legal Considerations
A little planning now avoids rushed, drastic work later:
- Check whether trees are protected (Tree Preservation Orders or conservation areas) before carrying out major works.
- Consider the size of your trees in 5–10 years relative to houses, gardens and neighbours.
- Consider wildlife: avoid disturbing nesting birds and other protected species.
Action for you: Contact your local council if you are unsure about protections and make a simple list of trees that you’d like assessed over the next year.
Where a tree surgeon helps:
- Advice on protected trees and suitable work within regulations.
- Scheduled inspections every 1–3 years, depending on tree size, condition and location.
- Help choosing and establishing replacement trees where older ones need to be phased out.
At William Gordon Countryside Services we are here to discuss and help with all your tree surgery and arboriculture needs. Be it domestic or commercial, we pride ourselves on providing responsive, high quality, professional services.
