Will Removing a Tree Damage My Garden ?

For many home owners, deciding to take down a big tree can be a real headache. On the one hand, trees give us privacy, shade and character – but on the other they can create safety risks, structural problems and a whole load of maintenance headaches. One of the biggest worries people have before getting a tree felled is simply: will removing the tree wreck the garden?

As it happens, tree surgery pros reckon that some disruption to the garden during removal is inevitable, especially when you’re dealing with a big or tricky tree. But the experienced guys who do this sort of work have all the specialist kit and know-how to make sure the damage is kept to a minimum.

In a lot of cases, knocking down a tree that’s causing more problems than it’s worth can actually do the garden a favour in the long run – not cause any harm.

Does Tree Removal Always Mess Up a Garden ?

Not at all.

A decent tree removal company will plan the job carefully to try and have as little impact on the garden as possible by:

• Lawns
• Flower beds
• Patios
• Fences
• Driveways
• Garden ornaments and structures

Just how much disruption you see will depend on a few things – like:

• The size of the tree
• How far out the roots spread
• How easy it is to get the gear in to do the job
• The state of the ground
• How close the tree is to the house
• What kind of kit they need to use

Smaller trees can usually be taken down with hardly any visible damage – while bigger older trees may knock a few sections of the garden about a bit during dismantling and stump removal.

What Parts of the Garden Are Most Likely to Get Hurt?

Lawns

Heavy machinery and falling branches can sometimes leave temporary marks on the grass – especially if it’s been wet.

Tree surgeons often use:

• Protective boards to stop the lawn getting damaged
• Ground mats to keep the grass from getting matted
• Controlled lowering systems to help get the branches down safely

Most grass will recover on its own over time.

Flower Beds and Plants

Sometimes the plants and flowers next to the tree can get knocked about a bit – especially if the chaps need to get in to wrestle the branches around.

Experienced teams will usually be pretty careful around:

• Shrubs
• Borders
• Decorative plants
• Garden ornaments and other ornaments

In tight spaces, they’ll often break the branches into smaller bits and lower them down using ropes rather than just dropping them.

Soil and Ground Levels

Big root systems can keep on affecting the soil for ages after the tree’s gone.

When the roots start to decompose down in the ground, you might notice:

• The ground getting a bit soggier
• The ground getting a bit uneven
• Patches of soil that are softer than the rest

This is more likely to happen with mature trees that’ve got a big root system under the garden.

Patios and Driveways

Actually, removing a tree can sometimes stop it causing problems further down the line – like cracked paving or uneven paths.

Tree roots are known to do all sorts of damage to hard landscaping like patios, driveways and paths.

Once you’ve sorted the tree and the roots out properly, there’s less chance of it causing a problem again.

Will Tree Roots Keep Causing Problems After the Tree’s Gone?

Yes, sometimes they can.

Even after you’ve cut the tree down, the roots will just keep on going for a while as they decompose down in the ground. Some trees will even try to grow new shoots from the remaining roots.

This can lead to:

• New saplings popping up
• Soft ground
• Drainage problems
• Ongoing root movement

You’ll often need a pro to come in and grind the stump down to reduce the risks.

Will Heavy Machinery Ruin My Lawn?

Professional tree surgeons do their best to avoid unnecessary damage – but sometimes when you need the big gear to get the job done, you can get a bit of surface damage.

How likely this is will depend on things like:

• How soft the ground is
• Where the tree is
• How easy it is to get the gear in
• How big the tree is
• What the weather’s like

Most tree surgery companies use special compact gear that’s designed for residential gardens to try and keep the disruption to a minimum.

In a lot of cases, the homeowner is surprised by how little impact there actually is.

Is It Better to Get a Dangerous Tree Taken Down Early?

Loads of arborists reckon it’s often better to get rid of a tree that’s in trouble early on – rather than waiting till it becomes unstable or diseased.

Trees that are in a dodgy state can cause a lot of problems if they:

• Collapse in a storm
• Drop branches that damage the house or fences
• Uproot suddenly and cause chaos
• Affect the neighbour’s property
• Cause more problems than they’re worth

Emergency removals are usually the most disruptive because the priority is safety rather than trying to keep the garden as undisturbed as possible.

Can Taking a Tree Down Improve the Garden?

Yes.

Trees can be a real problem in smaller gardens – by blocking out the sun, sucking up loads of water, stopping grass growing and stopping smaller plants getting a chance to thrive. Once it’s gone, you can often see the garden get loads better – with improved:

• Lawn growth
• Plant health
• Sunlight exposure
• Garden usability

This is especially true in small, compact urban gardens.

What Happens to the Stump When the Tree Comes Down?

After the tree’s gone, you’ve got a few options as to what to do with the stump – it can stay put and rot away, or get professionally ground down below ground level.

Leaving the stump can lead to:

• New growth
• Fungal growth
• Pests showing up
• Trip hazards
• Landscaping problems

Stump grinding usually leaves you with a load of wood chippings which can be reused as mulch around the garden.

Can Tree Removal Mess Up the Local Wildlife?

Trees can be a real habitat for wildlife like birds, insects and other creatures. In the UK, some birds and protected species might make it difficult or impossible to carry out work during the nesting season.

Professional tree surgeons will normally have a good look at the tree before they start work to see if there are any wildlife issues to worry about.

Wildlife consideration is an important part of doing tree surgery the right way.## How Tree Surgeons Minimise Damage to Your Garden

Tree removal companies do it the right way by:

Breaking Down Trees Bit by Bit

Removing trees piece by piece rather than taking a sledgehammer to the whole thing.

Using the Right Rigging Gear

Ropes, pulleys and a bit of know-how all help to lower heavy branches down safely without any fuss.

Protecting Your Lawn & Path

Boards and mats help reduce the pressure on lawns and paths to stop them getting scuffed or squashed.

Smaller Mowers Not Bigger Machines

Specialist equipment that fits through tight spaces without mucking up your garden.

A Plan That Fits Your Garden

The removal process is carefully thought out around the layout of your garden so everything goes smoothly.

Warning Signs That a Tree Needs Removing

If you notice any of these things you should definitely get a professional in:

• Dead branches the size of a car
• Trees that look like they’re on their last legs
• Cracks in the bark and signs of trouble
• Fungi taking over – not a good sign
• Storms have battered it and it’s still standing – trouble brewing
• Roots are lifting up your paving
• It’s hollow inside – who knows when it’ll fall down
• Branches keep falling off – your roof is at risk if you don’t sort it

Ignoring it won’t make the problem go away and can lead to a load of costly repairs if you don’t get it sorted.

Why You Need to Hire a Qualified Tree Surgeon

Chuck the DIY book away and get a pro in – removing a tree yourself is a recipe for disaster and often causes more damage than if you’d just hired someone to do it.

If you do it yourself, things can go seriously wrong and you might end up with:

• Fences caved in
• Your lawn looking like it’s gone through a mangle
• Broken paving stones everywhere
• The structural integrity of your house called into question
• You or someone else gets seriously hurt

Qualified tree surgeons know what they’re doing, they can dismantle trees safely and have ways to stop them making a mess of the rest of the garden.

The Last Word

Removing a tree doesn’t have to be a disaster for your garden – in fact, it can be a great opportunity to do some other work and make your garden a better space. Of course, there might be some short-term disruption but the right surgeon knows how to get in & get out with the minimum of damage.

In a lot of cases, removing a tree is the best thing you can do for your garden. If you give the right surgeon a ring before they start work, you’ll know exactly what to expect and can get on with the rest of your day without worrying about it.