Tree Work in Autumn: What UK Homeowners Need to Know

As the leaves start to fall and gardens begin to change for autumn, it’s also a good time to take a closer look at your trees.

Summer growth can hide dead branches, structural problems and signs of decay. As canopies begin to thin, some of these issues become much easier to spot — and identifying them before the stronger winds and wetter weather of winter can help you deal with potential problems sooner.

So, what should you be looking out for this autumn?

1. Look for dead or damaged branches

When a tree is in full leaf, it isn’t always easy to see what’s happening within the canopy.

As the leaves begin to fall, look for branches that appear dead, damaged, split or partially broken. Deadwood can become more vulnerable to failure, particularly during periods of strong wind.

Pay particular attention to branches overhanging homes, garages, driveways, roads, footpaths or areas where people regularly spend time.

If you're unsure about the condition of a branch, a qualified tree surgeon can assess it from the ground and, where necessary, more closely within the canopy.

2. Take a look at the trunk and main branches

It isn't only the canopy that's worth checking.

Take a look around the trunk and larger branches for anything that appears different or concerning. This might include cavities, cracks, damaged areas, dead sections or changes to the bark.

These signs don't automatically mean that a tree is dangerous or needs removing. Trees can live with defects for many years.

However, if something has changed or you're concerned about the condition of a tree, it's worth having it properly assessed rather than trying to diagnose the problem yourself.

3. Keep an eye out for fungi

Autumn is one of the times of year when fungal fruiting bodies can become particularly noticeable around trees.

You might spot brackets growing from the trunk, fungi around the base of the tree or mushrooms appearing in the surrounding ground.

Again, the presence of fungi doesn't automatically mean a tree needs to come down.

Different fungi interact with trees in different ways. However, some decay fungi can affect the roots, trunk or structural wood of a tree, so identification and assessment can be important.

We've previously written about Ganoderma, which is one of the fungi we regularly encounter during tree work.

4. Think about the winter ahead

Autumn is a useful time to think about trees that may be more exposed once winter weather arrives.

Is there a large dead branch you've been meaning to have looked at? Has a tree changed noticeably during the year? Are there damaged branches hanging above your property or a public area?

Strong winds don't necessarily make a healthy tree unsafe, but existing weaknesses can become more significant when a tree is exposed to additional forces.

Having concerns assessed before severe weather arrives can give you time to deal with any work that may be recommended.

5. Is autumn a good time to prune trees?

Sometimes — but the right time to prune depends on the tree and the reason for the work.

There isn't one pruning season that's right for every species.

The type of tree, its condition, the work required and the intended outcome all need to be considered. Some species have particular pruning requirements, and unnecessary or poorly timed pruning can do more harm than good.

That's one reason we don't recommend automatically cutting trees back simply because autumn has arrived.

Good tree work starts with understanding what you're trying to achieve and what is appropriate for that particular tree.

6. Don't forget protected trees

The season doesn't change the rules around protected trees.

If a tree is subject to a Tree Preservation Order (TPO), consent will generally be required from the local planning authority before carrying out work, subject to limited exemptions. There are also notification requirements for many trees within Conservation Areas.

If you're unsure whether your tree is protected, this should be checked before work begins.

7. What about nesting birds?

Although most people associate nesting birds with spring and early summer, there isn't a single date when it's automatically safe to carry out tree or hedge work.

Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, wild birds, their nests and eggs have legal protection while nests are being built or are in use.

That means trees and hedges should still be checked before work takes place, whatever the time of year.

What should you check this autumn?

When you're next in the garden, take a few minutes to look at your trees. You don't need to know exactly what you're looking at — simply noticing that something has changed can be useful.

Look out for dead or hanging branches, splits or cracks, areas of decay, fungal growth, changes around the base of the tree or anything that simply doesn't look as it did before.

And if something doesn't look right, don't stand underneath it trying to investigate it yourself — particularly where there are large, damaged or hanging branches.

Need a tree checked before winter?

Tall Tree Services provides professional tree surgery throughout Gloucester, Cheltenham, Stroud, Cirencester, the Cotswolds, Tewkesbury, Malvern, Ledbury and Ross-on-Wye.

Our NPTC-qualified arborists can assess your trees, explain what we're seeing and recommend appropriate work where it's needed.

From deadwood removal and crown work to tree reductions and complete removals, we'll help you understand the right approach for your trees and property.

Get in touch with Tall Tree Services for a free quote.