Trees naturally shed dead branches over time, so it’s entirely normal to have deadwood in your trees. While it may not seem like a pressing issue, not removing deadwood can have major repercussions. Let’s take a closer look at why Arborists will always recommend removing deadwood from your trees.

What Is Deadwood?

Branches or parts of a tree that are already dead or that are decaying or in the process of dying, are considered to be deadwood. Deadwood will normally appear black, dark brown or grey in colour and have a very dry, brittle texture.

Deadwood isn’t always as easy as it may sound to identify, so your trusted Arborist can help determine if you have deadwood present in your trees.

What Causes Deadwood?

A number of factors can cause deadwood. Some of the most common causes are:

• Natural ageing of the tree
• Insufficient sunlight
• Insufficient water
• Insufficient nutrients and minerals
• Pest infestation
• Disease
• Damage as a result of harsh weather conditions, construction or vandalism

Why Deadwood Should Be Removed

1.Safety Concerns

Deadwood is at risk of falling at any time without warning, potentially causing damage to property and injury to people. The larger and therefore heavier, the limb, the more dangerous it will be when it falls, especially in the event of a severe storm or during heavy winds. Dead branches can fall onto your home, your car, powerlines and other structures, causing major damage and the need for costly repairs. Removing deadwood is a preventative measure that will mitigate risk and help ensure the safety of you and your family as well as neighbouring properties.

2. Improved Tree Health

Removing deadwood isn’t only about removing what is already dead, it’s also a proactive measure that will go a long way to improving the overall health of the tree. Dead branches encourage pests, disease and fungi which can spread to other parts of the tree, jeopardising its health, strength and vigour. Removing deadwood allows the tree to use its energy and resources to focus on healthy, new growth and reduces the risk of pest and disease spreading.

3. Promotes New Growth

Removing dead or dying branches helps to stimulate new, healthy growth. With the deadwood gone, the tree can redirect energy, nutrients and minerals to the living branches, encouraging better flower and fruit production and fuller, stronger canopies of healthy branches.

4. Fire Hazard Prevention

In particularly bush-fire prone regions as in many parts of Australia, deadwood can present a significant fire risk. Brittle, dry branches essentially act as fuel, helping fires spread more quickly through a tree and surrounding areas of vegetation, buildings and structures. Arborists recommend regular removal of deadwood as part of a proactive fire hazard prevention strategy, especially in rural or semi-rural areas.

5. Legal Liability

Property owners are responsible for the care and maintenance of their trees to help ensure the safety of people and surrounding properties. Neglecting to have deadwood removed poses significant risks and could cause legal repercussions if an accident were to occur and there was subsequent damage.

6. Prevention Of Pests And Disease

Deadwood is a magnet for pests and disease and can become a breeding ground for many different types of insects such as borers and termites and fungi. Pests start by feasting on the tree’s deadwood but can then move on to healthy wood in the tree and then on to other trees and vegetation nearby as well as buildings.

7. Improved Appearance

Deadwood doesn’t look appealing. Dead branches makes a tree look neglected and unsightly, seriously impacting its beauty and overall appeal. Removing deadwood quickly restores the natural beauty of your tree and helps preserve the tree’s natural shape and form. A well-maintained tree adds to curb appeal and adds value to your home.

Hire An Arborist

Hiring an Arborist to inspect your trees and look for signs of deadwood is your best place to start. Your Arborist will come equipped with the right tools for the job and will expertly remove the deadwood safely and efficiently, giving your tree the very best chance of thriving long into the future.

Plus, they will remove all the debris once the job is done so you don’t have to worry about a thing. Tree work can be extremely dangerous and looks deceptively easy, so don’t attempt to remove branches yourself unless the tree is small, you are experienced and have the appropriate tools for the job or you could do yourself and your tree, harm.

Professional Tree Care & Maintenance

Call Brisbane’s Aussie Tree Solutions for a free quote on professional deadwood removal, general tree care, maintenance and consulting Arborist services. Take the hassle out of your tree care, save yourself time and money and leave it to our team of professionals, for your total peace of mind.