What Exactly Is Deadwood?
Deadwood refers to branches, limbs, or sections of a tree’s trunk and crown that are no longer living and conducting water and nutrients. The wood is structurally solid when first formed, but over time it dries, loses the decay-resistant properties of living wood, and becomes progressively more brittle. Deadwood cannot be healed or revived by the tree.
What Causes Deadwood?
Deadwood forms in trees for a range of reasons:
- Natural crown thinning: as trees grow taller and denser, lower and interior branches that are no longer receiving enough light die naturally. This is a normal process in large, well-established trees
- Pest and disease: fungal pathogens, borers, and other pests can kill individual branches or sections of a tree’s vascular system, causing localized death within an otherwise healthy crown
- Mechanical damage: a branch that has been broken, girdled by a rope or wire, or damaged by a storm may die even if the rest of the tree remains healthy
- Drought stress: prolonged drought, which Sydney experiences during El Nino periods, can cause die-back in the crowns of large trees, particularly in trees that were already stressed or in competition for water
- Root damage: damage to a tree’s root system by construction activity, soil compaction, or utility work can cause partial crown die-back in the sections of the crown served by the affected roots
How Do I Know If a Branch Is Dead?
There are several reliable indicators of deadwood:
- No leaves: during the growing season, a dead branch carries no leaves. If all surrounding branches are in full leaf and one branch is bare, that branch is almost certainly dead or dying
- Peeling bark: the bark of a dead branch progressively loses its grip on the underlying wood as the branch dries. Bark peeling away in sections to reveal dry, grey or brown wood beneath is a reliable deadwood indicator
- The scratch test: scratch lightly through the outer bark layer with a fingernail or pocket knife. Living wood has a green or white cambium layer visible just beneath the bark. Dead wood shows dry, brown or grey material with no cambium layer
- Snap rather than bend: a thin live branch bends before it breaks. A dead branch breaks sharply without bending. Apply gentle pressure to a thin branch: if it snaps cleanly rather than flexing, it is dead or dying
Is All Deadwood Dangerous?
Not all deadwood requires immediate removal. The risk level of a dead branch depends on:
- Size: a large dead branch over a structure or access path presents a significantly higher risk than a small dead twig in the interior of the crown
- Height: the higher a dead branch is in the tree, the greater the impact force if it falls
- Location: deadwood directly over a home, pool, car, or area regularly used by people is higher priority than deadwood over an open lawn area with no structures or foot traffic
- Condition: freshly dead wood is stronger than wood that has been dead for years and is actively decaying. Advanced decay (soft wood that crumbles, fungal fruiting bodies visible) indicates a branch that may fail in even mild wind conditions
What Should I Do About Deadwood?
- Small deadwood (branches under 50mm diameter) in the upper crown: low risk; inspect annually and remove when convenient
- Medium deadwood (50mm to 150mm diameter) over structures or paths: moderate risk; remove during the next scheduled maintenance or arborist visit
- Large deadwood (greater than 150mm diameter) over or near structures: significant risk; assess and address urgently. Do not wait for a storm to resolve the issue
- Any deadwood showing active decay (soft wood, fungal fruiting bodies): treat as urgent regardless of size
Can I Remove Deadwood Myself?
Very small deadwood that is within arm’s reach from the ground can be safely removed by homeowners. Any deadwood that requires climbing, the use of a ladder at height, the use of a chainsaw, or that is located over a structure should be handled by a qualified arborist. Falls from trees and ladders are among the most common causes of serious injury in DIY maintenance activities.
| 💡 Check for Tree Preservation Orders before removing any deadwood: In most Sydney councils, the removal of deadwood from a tree does not require council approval. However, if deadwood removal requires significant crown work or if the deadwood is the majority of the tree’s crown, the work may be considered pruning or removal under council tree controls. Check with your council or contact Sydney Tree Company before undertaking significant deadwood work on a large tree. |
Does Deadwood Indicate the Tree Is Dying?
Not necessarily. A certain amount of deadwood is normal in large, established trees, particularly in the inner crown where light competition causes natural thinning. However, deadwood that makes up a significant proportion of the crown, is distributed throughout the tree rather than concentrated in the inner crown, or is accompanied by other stress indicators (thin leaf cover, discolouration, fungal growth at the base) may indicate that the tree is in serious decline. A qualified arborist assessment is the right approach when you are unsure.
When Should a Tree With Deadwood Be Removed Rather Than Pruned?
In some cases, deadwood removal is not a solution because the underlying cause of the deadwood is a terminal problem. Tree removal rather than deadwood pruning may be appropriate when:
- Deadwood accounts for more than 50 percent of the tree’s crown
- Structural decay is present in the trunk or main scaffold limbs, reducing the tree’s structural integrity beyond the point of safe retention
- Pest or disease pressure has caused repeated die-back that cannot be arrested
- The root system has been compromised to a degree that retention is unsafe regardless of the crown condition
Sydney Tree Company: Qualified Deadwood Assessment and RemovalFully qualified arborists. Sydney-wide. Insurance-backed. Free quotes. Call 0431 732 265. |