Signs of a Dangerous Tree and What to Do About Them

Warning signs you can spot from the ground

Fresh damage is the thing to look for, because it can mean part of the tree is no longer securely supported. A recent crack, a hanging branch or sudden movement at the base all deserve prompt attention. A tree can also develop a structural problem while looking healthy, so a full head of leaves is no guarantee.

Does a leaning tree mean it could fall?

A lean alone doesn't mean a tree will fall, since many established trees grow towards the light and stay stable at an angle. What matters is whether the lean is new or increasing, whether the roots are moving and whether you can see other damage.

Treat it seriously if a tree that used to stand upright changes angle after a storm. Keep people away, photograph it only from a safe position and ask for an assessment.

Are fungi, hollows and dead branches a problem?

They can be, but each one is only a clue, and none of them is a diagnosis on its own. A professional will look at how they fit together with the rest of the tree.

Storm damage that needs urgent attention

A tree or branch is most urgent when it blocks a road, rests on a structure or touches electricity cables. The same goes for one that threatens a public route or is caught in another tree. If anyone's life is in danger, call 999 straight away. If cables are involved, stay well clear and call 105 for the electricity network.

Never cut or pull damaged timber yourself, as windblown wood can move suddenly under stored tension. The HSE chainsaw guidance treats damaged and hung-up trees as work for people with specialist skills, and Leeds City Council has a tree emergencies page with its own advice.

How do professionals judge tree risk in a garden?

A professional looks at the tree's condition and at what could be hit if part of it failed. A dead branch over an unused corner of a large garden carries a very different risk from one above a driveway or school entrance.

They may consider defects, species, recent weather, root conditions, past pruning, nearby buildings and how often people use the area. Their advice could be to monitor the tree, prune selectively, reduce part of the crown, limit access or remove it. Felling a mature tree shouldn't be the automatic answer, because many trees can be kept safely with the right care.

Can you fell a dangerous tree without council consent?

Sometimes, but calling a tree dangerous doesn't remove the legal controls on it. In Leeds, trees with a Tree Preservation Order or in a conservation area may need consent or notice, and the exceptions have specific conditions.

For certain work on protected dead or dangerous trees, at least five working days' written notice is normally needed, along with evidence of the hazard. Work urgently needed to deal with an immediate risk of serious harm is treated differently. The Leeds City Council tree guidance sets out the procedure, and our tree permission guide explains consent and notices in plain terms.

What should you do if a tree looks unsafe today?

Start by moving people and pets away from the area where the tree or branch could land, and keep them away until it's been made safe. Don't climb the tree, dig around the roots or park beneath hanging limbs. Make a note of what changed and when, and take a photo of the whole tree if you can do so from a safe position.

Next, get in touch using the form on this page and include your postcode. Say that it's urgent and we'll tell you what we can do and when. Your photos can follow by email to [email protected], as they help us understand the problem before anyone visits. You can read more on our dangerous and dead trees page, while storm damage and fallen trees are covered under emergency tree work.