Most homeowners don't think about their trees until something goes wrong. That's understandable — a healthy, well-established tree can sit quietly in a garden for years without causing any concern. But trees are living things, and they can deteriorate gradually in ways that aren't always obvious to the untrained eye.
Catching problems early almost always means a simpler, less expensive solution. Leaving them until the tree becomes dangerous can mean emergency work, property damage, and much higher costs. Here are the seven warning signs that it's time to call a professional tree surgeon.
1. Dead or Hanging Branches
Dead branches — known in the trade as deadwood — are one of the most common and most dangerous tree issues. A dead branch has lost its structural integrity and can fall at any time, with no warning. They're particularly hazardous during windy weather and more common in older trees.
Look for branches that have no leaves in summer, that have bark peeling away, or that look pale and dry compared to the healthy canopy. Hanging branches — ones that have partially broken but are still attached — are even more urgent, as they can fall under their own weight or during the next wind.
Deadwood removal is routine work for a qualified arborist and can be carried out at almost any time of year. Don't leave it.
2. Cracks or Splits in the Trunk or Main Branches
Vertical cracks in the bark, or splits where a main branch joins the trunk, can indicate serious structural weakness. Not all cracks are dangerous — some are natural features of bark growth — but deep or widening cracks, or splits at branch unions, should always be assessed by a professional.
Co-dominant stems (where a tree has grown two or more main trunks of similar size from a low point) are particularly prone to splitting under their own weight or during storms. This is very common in Caterham and Reigate gardens where fast-growing species like silver birch and sycamore have been left unmanaged.
3. Fungal Growth at the Base or on the Trunk
If you can see bracket fungi, mushrooms, or other fungal growth on your tree — particularly at the base or on major roots — this is a significant warning sign. Many wood-decaying fungi only become visible externally when the internal decay is already extensive.
Not all fungi on trees are immediately dangerous, but they should always be professionally assessed. Some species — like Ganoderma (artist's bracket) and Meripilus giganteus (giant polypore) — are associated with serious structural decay that can cause trees to fail without warning. We've attended a number of emergency callouts in Epsom and Dorking where fungal decay was the underlying cause of a tree failure.
4. Leaning That Has Developed Recently
Many trees grow at a natural lean, and this isn't necessarily a problem. But if a tree that was previously upright has started to lean — particularly if this has happened relatively quickly — it could indicate root failure or soil movement.
Check for raised or cracked soil on the opposite side of the lean, or exposed roots on the compression side. These are signs that the tree may be in the process of uprooting. This situation requires urgent professional assessment — a tree in the process of uprooting can fail very suddenly.
5. Bark Damage, Cavities, or Wounds
Significant areas of missing or damaged bark, old wounds that haven't healed properly, or hollows in the trunk can all compromise a tree's structural integrity. While hollow trees aren't automatically unsafe (many ancient hollow trees are perfectly stable), they do need careful assessment.
Bark damage caused by vehicles, strimmers, or previous poor pruning work can create entry points for disease and decay. If you have a tree with a significant wound that's been there for several years and doesn't appear to be healing, get it looked at.
6. Branches Growing Towards Buildings or Power Lines
This is one of the most common reasons homeowners contact us across Croydon, Warlingham, and Epsom. Branches that are growing towards a house, outbuilding, or overhead cables don't have to be dangerous yet to warrant attention — the time to deal with them is before they cause a problem.
Overhanging branches can damage roofs and gutters, block light to windows, and cause insurance complications if they fall. Branches growing into overhead cables are a safety issue that should be reported to your network operator as well as addressed by a qualified arborist.
7. Dieback in the Canopy
If you notice that sections of the canopy are failing to produce leaves in spring, or that significant areas of the crown are dead or thinning, this is a sign of stress or disease. Causes can range from root damage and waterlogging to pest infestations, fungal disease, or drought stress.
Ash dieback — caused by the fungus Hymenoscyphus fraxineus — is a significant concern across Surrey, Kent, and South London, where large numbers of ash trees are now showing symptoms. Ash dieback causes progressive crown dieback and can result in trees becoming structurally dangerous relatively quickly. If you have ash trees on your property, they're worth having assessed.
Concerned About a Tree on Your Property?
Faggs Forestry & Arboriculture provides tree assessments and surveys across Surrey, South London, Kent, and West Sussex. Our qualified arborists will give you an honest, straightforward assessment and tell you exactly what — if anything — needs to be done.
Book an Assessment Call 07484 107085What to Do If You're Concerned
If you've noticed any of the signs above — or something else about your tree that doesn't look right — the best thing to do is get a professional opinion. A reputable tree surgeon will always give you an honest assessment, and that assessment might well conclude that no action is needed right now.
What a good arborist won't do is recommend unnecessary work. Our first instinct is always to preserve a tree if it's safe to do so — removal is always a last resort. We'd much rather help you manage and maintain a tree than remove it.
We cover a wide area across Caterham, Oxted, Reigate, Guildford, Sevenoaks, and beyond. Call us on 07484 107085 or get in touch via our contact page for a free, no-obligation conversation about your trees.