Every winter, strong winds bring down branches and whole trees across the West Midlands and Warwickshire. Many of these failures could have been prevented. A quick check of your trees now, before the worst weather arrives, can protect your home, your car and the people around you.
Why trees fail in storms
Healthy trees are surprisingly strong. Most storm damage happens to trees that already had a weakness, such as decay, a split, poor root anchorage or heavy, overextended branches. Wet ground in winter makes things worse, as saturated soil gives roots less grip.
7 warning signs to look out for
Walk around your trees and look for:
- Dead or hanging branches. Dead wood is brittle and snaps easily in high winds. Branches already caught in the canopy can fall at any time.
- Cracks or splits in the trunk. Deep cracks, especially where two main stems meet, are a serious weakness.
- Fungi at the base or on the trunk. Mushrooms or bracket fungi can be a sign of internal decay or root rot.
- A new or increasing lean. A tree that has always leaned is often fine. A tree that has started leaning, or has soil lifting on one side, needs checking urgently.
- Hollow or soft areas. Cavities and soft, crumbly wood reduce the tree’s strength.
- Root damage. Recent building work, trenching or new paving near a tree can cut through roots and weaken its anchorage.
- Branches over roofs, cables or driveways. Even healthy branches can cause damage if they overhang property.
If you spot any of these, don’t try to deal with it yourself. Working at height with a chainsaw is dangerous and needs proper training and equipment.
What a tree surgeon can do
Depending on the tree, a professional might recommend:
- Removing dead wood to get rid of the branches most likely to fall
- Crown reduction to reduce the tree’s height and spread, so it catches less wind
- Crown thinning to let wind pass through the canopy more easily
- A tree survey to assess the tree’s condition in detail
- Felling, as a last resort, if the tree is unsafe and can’t be made safe
Who is responsible if a tree falls?
In most cases, the tree owner is responsible for keeping their trees in a safe condition. If a tree you knew was unsafe damages a neighbour’s property, you could be held liable. Keeping a record of regular checks and professional work can help show you’ve taken reasonable care.
Already have storm damage?
If a storm has already brought down a tree or left branches hanging, keep people and pets away and don’t attempt to move large limbs yourself. Our team provides tree storm damage services to make the area safe, clear fallen trees and remove the debris.
Get your trees checked before winter
JC Tree & Grounds Maintenance has been looking after trees across Solihull, Coventry, Nuneaton, the West Midlands and Warwickshire since 2018. Our NPTC-certified team can inspect your trees and recommend any work needed to keep them safe this winter.
Request a free quote or call us on 0121 661 0300.
