Deadwooding in Hampshire
Removal of dead, dying and diseased branches from your trees — improving safety, supporting the tree’s health, and tidying up its appearance — including ivy removal where climbing growth is weakening the canopy or adding dangerous weight to branches.
Sound familiar? You’re in the right place.
Dead branches have been coming down from your tree in windy weather
Someone has pointed out dead wood high in the crown that you can’t safely reach
You want the tree made safer before storm season arrives
Your insurer or local council has raised concerns about a tree on your property
Why remove deadwood?
Dead branches are brittle, unpredictable, and often the first thing to come down in wind or heavy rain. Removing them protects people and property below, helps the tree direct its energy where it’s needed, and leaves the crown looking healthier and tidier. 📅 Best booked in winter: leafless crowns make dead branches far easier to spot — see our seasonal tree care calendar for the optimal deadwooding window.
Reduce safety risks
Dead branches can fail without warning — removing them lowers the risk to people, cars and property below.
Support tree health
Removing dead wood helps prevent decay and disease spreading into healthy parts of the tree.
Protect what’s below
Keep roofs, fences, sheds, cars and garden features safe from falling branches.
Tidier appearance
A crown free of deadwood looks healthier, neater and better cared for.
Meet your duty of care
As a landowner you’re responsible for the safety of your trees — regular deadwooding helps you meet that duty.
Reduce pest & decay spread
Dead wood can be an entry point for fungi and pests — removing it early limits the spread.
From assessment to safer crown in five steps
Free site visit
We come and take a look at the tree, identify the deadwood, and talk through what’s needed.
Check for protection
We check whether the tree is covered by a TPO or sits in a Conservation Area before any work begins.
Plan the access
We plan how to reach every dead limb safely, whether from the ground or by climbing.
Remove the deadwood
Dead, dying and diseased branches are carefully cut and lowered to the ground.
Chip & tidy
All arisings are chipped or removed, leaving your garden as tidy as we found it.
Deadwooding vs. a full prune — what’s the difference?
Deadwooding focuses purely on removing dead, dying or diseased material — it’s often carried out on its own, but can also be combined with other work in the same visit.
- Deadwooding removes dead and hazardous limbs only
- It can be done alongside our crown reduction & pruning service for a complete tidy-up
- Often paired with crown lifting to clear space underneath the tree
- If you’re unsure what your tree needs, a tree health survey can help identify exactly what work to prioritise
Worried about dead wood in your tree?
Free site visit — back to you the same dayDeadwooding questions, answered
Any branch or limb that’s dead, dying, diseased, or showing signs of decay — these are usually brittle and more likely to fail than healthy growth.
It can be — many TPOs require permission even for removing dead branches. We’ll check this for you and, if needed, handle the TPO application on your behalf.
It depends on the species and the tree’s surroundings, but a check every few years — or after major storms — is a sensible approach for most gardens.
Yes — it’s often carried out as a standalone job, especially where safety is the main concern and the rest of the tree is healthy.
Not always — small amounts of deadwood can be valuable for wildlife. We’ll advise on what genuinely needs removing versus what can safely stay.
Often, yes — our climbers are trained and equipped to access deadwood safely throughout the crown, even in tight or awkward gardens.
Dead branches typically show no leaf growth in spring or summer, have peeling or missing bark, and snap rather than bend under pressure. You may also notice fungal brackets at the base of a dead limb. Some species do hold dead wood naturally without it being hazardous, so if you are unsure our arborists will assess the tree and only remove material that poses a genuine risk.
Yes — ivy removal is a service we often carry out alongside deadwooding. While established ivy isn’t always harmful, dense growth can add significant weight to branches, obscure deadwood and create damp conditions that encourage decay. We’ll assess the situation and advise whether removal is the right call for your tree.
Deadwooding is often combined with other canopy work — from crown thinning and ivy removal to a full tree health survey. See also: 7 signs a tree needs removing · what to do after storm damage. Find out more about our tree care services across Hampshire.
We serve customers across Hampshire — including Romsey, Alresford, Chandler's Ford and Stockbridge.
Get a free quote for deadwooding
Tell us about the tree and any branches you’re concerned about, and we’ll arrange a free site visit.