MID & EAST DEVON
Deadwooding & Dead Branch Removal
The cheapest safety job there is on a big tree: the dead limbs come out before they fall, and the tree is left looking like itself.
Dead wood taken out before it drops
Every tree has branches die — perfectly normal. What makes it a problem is where they hang: over a drive, a play area, a patio, a fence line or a public footpath. Deadwooding is the removal of dead, dying, cracked and broken branches, cut cleanly where the branch joins the tree so the wound can seal over.
It's the least invasive work we do and often the most worthwhile on a large, mature tree in otherwise perfect health. We'll flag anything else needing a proper look — decay, a split, a heavy limb starting to hinge — but we won't sell you a bigger job than the tree needs.
Is the tree protected, or does it stand in a conservation area? Read our guide to protected trees.
What deadwooding covers
- Dead, dying and broken branches removed from the crown
- Cracked, split and hinging limbs taken out before they fail
- Deadwood cleared off drives, paths, roofs, play areas and footpaths
- Rubbing and crossing branches removed to stop damage
- Small-diameter deadwood through to large limbs
- Climbing work, or a machine where the height needs it
- Written note of anything else we notice while we're in the tree
- All arisings chipped and removed
Deadwooding questions
What actually is deadwooding?
Simply removing the dead and dying wood from a tree's crown, cut back to a live branch or to the branch collar so the tree can seal over the wound. It changes the shape of the tree very little — it's maintenance, not a reduction.
How do I know my tree needs it?
Bare, leafless branches in an otherwise leafy crown, bark missing from a limb, or a branch hanging loose are the usual signs. If a dead limb hangs over somewhere people stand, park or walk, it's worth doing rather than waiting for it to drop.
Does deadwooding harm the tree?
No — it's the least stressful work you can do on a tree. Only dead tissue is removed, so the tree loses almost nothing in leaf area, and the cuts are small enough to close over quickly.
Do I need permission?
Not normally, unless the tree is protected by a Tree Preservation Order or stands in a conservation area. We check before quoting, and our guide to protected trees explains what to do if yours is protected.
How much does it cost?
Deadwooding is usually cheaper than a reduction or a felling because the work is lighter, but it still depends on the size of the tree and the access. Quotes are free after we've seen the tree or a photo of it — no obligation.
Where we work
We cover Mid & East Devon, including these towns and the villages around them.
Free deadwooding quote
Send a photo of the tree and where the dead wood hangs, or call Tom — quotes are free and without obligation.