Tree work07884 274693Training01772 369694
Trees rarely fail without warning. The problem is that the warnings are easy to miss until there’s a problem on the ground, an access route blocked, a vehicle damaged, or an urgent call-out in poor weather.
If you’re responsible for trees on operational land in Preston and across the North West, knowing what to look for helps you act early, reduce disruption, and demonstrate you’ve taken reasonable steps to manage risk.
The overall likelihood of a member of the public being harmed by a falling tree is very low, but the consequences can be severe when trees overhang roads, footways, work zones, compounds, car parks, substations, rail corridors, or development sites.
With this in mind, it makes sense to focus effort where targets are highest and where failure would have the greatest impact. That’s also where a clear audit trail matters. If a tree fails and causes harm, the key question is usually whether reasonable care was taken to identify obvious hazards and respond appropriately. The Arboricultural Association’s Guide to Trees and the Law summarises a common law duty of care and the need to take reasonable steps for visitor safety under the Occupiers’ Liability Acts.
In practice, this means two things:
It’s also worth understanding the risks of neglecting trees on a commercial property as part of wider site risk management.
Some situations need a calm, immediate response, especially after high winds or storms. If you see multiple red flags or anything that suggests imminent failure, treat it as a safety issue first and a tree issue second.
Immediate actions that help control risk:
This aligns with HSE guidance on managing the risk from falling trees or branches, which emphasises having appropriate systems in place, including competent checks where needed.
If access can’t be controlled quickly, or the tree is already failing, Great Oaks can remove your tree in an emergency with a 24/7 response.
The crown is where you’ll often see the first visible dangerous tree symptoms, especially following storms, drought, or construction activity.
Look out for:
A useful habit is to walk the site and view trees from multiple angles. A crown can look fine from one direction and clearly compromised from another.
If you’re seeing crown issues alongside trunk cracks or ground movement, escalate quickly. It’s the combination of signs that often matters most in a tree hazard assessment.
This is where some of the strongest indicators of structural weakness can show up. You do not need specialist equipment to spot many of these. You do need the discipline not to dismiss them.
Do:
Don’t:
When the trunk or unions show significant defects, the next step is often a tree risk survey to quantify urgency and specify works.
Ground-level checks are often missed, yet many failures start below the surface. Soil movement and root damage can turn a previously stable tree into a high priority, particularly where there’s been excavation or heavy plant movement nearby.
Signs to take seriously include:
A quick, useful check is the “site context scan”. Ask:
Where you see root plate lifting or clear soil cracking, restrict access and escalate immediately.
A lean is one of the most common triggers for concern, but not every lean means imminent failure. Many trees develop a gradual lean over years, adapting their growth to compensate. The issue is change, especially sudden change.
Higher-risk indicators include:
This is where a professional approach helps. You’ll often hear references to Visual Tree Assessment (VTA) and Quantified Tree Risk Assessment (QTRA). These are simply structured ways to assess condition, targets, and likelihood of failure, keeping decisions consistent and defensible.
Once you’ve identified potential hazardous tree signs, the goal is to move from concern to a clear plan. A professional tree hazard assessment or tree risk survey typically provides:
From there, Great Oaks can deliver the practical interventions that reduce risk without unnecessary loss of tree cover.
Pruning and arboriculture works
In many cases, targeted pruning reduces load, removes deadwood, and improves clearance over key routes. Our arboriculture and tree pruning service is designed to manage risk while respecting the tree’s structure and long-term health.
Planned removal where defects are severe
Sometimes the defect is too significant, the targets are too close, or the tree’s future stability is too uncertain. In these cases, removal can be the most responsible outcome.
24/7 emergency response
When a tree has failed, is actively failing, or access can’t be controlled safely, we can mobilise quickly to remove your tree in an emergency across Preston and the wider North West.
Work delivered to recognised good practice
Tree work should be specified and carried out with safety planning and appropriate methods, particularly on operational sites.
Our local tree surgeons can support urgent and planned works across the region.
On higher-risk sites, it’s not just about getting the job done. It’s about doing it safely, consistently, and with documentation that stands up to scrutiny.
At Great Oaks, our arborists hold recognised industry qualifications, while our organisation is accredited by leading bodies, including our status as an ARB Approved Contractor.
How quickly can a tree become hazardous after storms?
Sometimes within hours. High winds can create new cracks, tear out limbs, or loosen root plates. If you’ve had strong gusts, check high-target areas first and treat new defects as urgent until assessed.
Do hazardous trees always need removing?
No. Many risks can be reduced through pruning, rebalancing, deadwood removal, or temporary access controls while a monitoring plan is put in place. Removal is usually reserved for severe defects, high consequences, or trees that cannot be made acceptably safe.
What should we record after spotting hazardous tree signs?
Keep it simple and consistent:
How often should trees be inspected?
There isn’t one universal timetable. Frequency should reflect tree condition and the level of nearby targets. A low-use area may need less frequent checks than a roadside edge, access route, or operational compound. A tree risk survey can set sensible cycles.
What’s included in a tree risk survey deliverable?
You should expect a written record identifying defects, target context, priority ratings, and clear recommendations for works and timescales. It should be easy to share internally and use for planning and procurement.
Can pruning make a tree less stable?
Poorly specified work can increase risk, particularly if it creates large wounds or unbalances the crown. That’s why competent specification and recognised standards matter, especially where failure consequences are high.
When you spot hazardous tree signs, the best outcome is early action rather than a reactive response. Restrict access if you need to, document what you’ve found, and bring in professional support to confirm the level of risk and the right solution.
Great Oaks supports Preston and the wider North West with tree risk surveys, targeted pruning and 24/7 emergency tree removal. Get in touch to book an assessment or request an urgent call-out.
07884 274693
office@greatoakstreeservices.co.uk
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Climbing, grounds maintenance and utility work.Climbing, grounds and utility work.
Arboricultural Association Approved Contractor.
Last minuteAvailability
Starts Monday 19 October 2026
3 days plus 1 for assessment
£9671 place
Entry requirements: Ground Based Chainsaw Operator and Tree Climbing and Aerial Rescue
Book this date, Using a Chainsaw from a Rope and HarnessOr call the training office on 01772 369694
