Knowing how to tell if a tree is diseased requires looking beyond the obvious. Many tree diseases are subtle in their early stages and can easily be mistaken for seasonal variation or minor stress. Here are some of the most common conditions affecting trees in the UK, and how to recognise them.

• Ash Dieback (Hymenoscyphus fraxineus) is one of the most significant threats to British trees in recent history, having devastated ash populations across Europe. Symptoms include wilting and blackened leaves, diamond-shaped lesions on the bark, and die-back beginning at the tips of branches and working inward. If you have ash trees on your property, regular monitoring is essential.

• Honey Fungus (Armillaria species) spreads underground through root systems and can kill a tree within a season or two. Signs include a white, fan-shaped fungal growth under the bark at ground level, honey-coloured toadstools appearing at the base in autumn, and a distinctive mushroom-like smell. Once established, honey fungus is extremely difficult to eradicate.

• Phytophthora Root Rot thrives in wet conditions and is commonly seen in the wetter parts of the South West. It attacks the roots and base of the trunk, causing the bark to look water-soaked and darkened. Affected trees often show wilting and premature leaf drop.

• Oak Processionary Moth (OPM) is an invasive pest whose caterpillars defoliate oak trees and produce hairs that are a serious health hazard to humans and animals. If you notice white silken nests on oak trunks or branches, do not attempt to remove them yourself – contact a professional immediately.

• Fireblight, common in apple, pear, and hawthorn trees, causes branches to look as though they have been scorched by fire, with wilting, blackened leaves remaining on the branch rather than falling.

If you suspect disease, an experienced arborist can often identify the problem on sight. In some cases, a sample may need to be sent for laboratory analysis. The key message is always the same: don’t wait and hope it improves on its own!

Tree problems don’t follow a calendar, but different seasons do bring different risks – and some parts of the year are better than others for certain types of tree work.

• Winter is generally the preferred time for major pruning and felling work on deciduous trees. With the leaves off, a tree surgeon has a clearer view of the structure and can identify deadwood more easily. There’s also less disruption to nesting birds (more on the legal side of that coming up below). However, winter storms can bring emergency situations that require immediate attention regardless of season.
• Spring is when trees are at their most vulnerable. The energy they’ve stored over winter is being directed into new growth, and significant pruning at this time can cause undue stress. It’s also nesting season, which restricts what work can legally be carried out. That said, spring is an excellent time to spot diseases like ash dieback as leaves emerge – or fail to.
• Summer is when canopy issues become most visible. Sparse foliage, wilting, or discolouration stands out clearly against healthy green growth. Summer is also when some pest infestations – including OPM – are most active. Deadwood removal can be safely carried out year-round, and summer is no exception.
• Autumn brings its own concerns, particularly around root stability. As ground becomes saturated with autumn rain, trees with compromised root systems become significantly more likely to fail. It’s a sensible time for a professional to carry out a tree survey if you have large trees close to your home.

There are some situations where calling a tree surgeon isn’t just advisable – it’s urgent. Never attempt to tackle these situations yourself:

• A tree that is leaning toward a structure – your home, a boundary wall, a neighbour’s property, or a public road – needs to be assessed immediately. What might look stable can be far more precarious than it appears from the ground.

• Branches overhanging power lines should always be dealt with by qualified professionals. Working near live electrical cables is extraordinarily dangerous, and in many cases the energy provider will also need to be involved.

• Trees damaged by storms should be treated with extreme caution. A partially fallen tree or one with major broken limbs can be under enormous tension, and an amateur attempt at removal could+ result in catastrophic, unpredictable movement. This is one of the leading causes of serious injury in DIY tree work.

• Deadwood in the upper canopy is dangerous because it gives no warning before it falls. Dead branches can drop in calm weather, and large pieces falling from height can cause fatal injuries or serious property damage.

• Trees close to buildings require specialist knowledge to fell or reduce safely. This often involves sectional dismantling – removing the tree piece by piece from the top down – rather than a straightforward fell. This work requires proper training, experience, and equipment. If you’re in any doubt about the safety of a tree, treat it as an emergency and seek professional advice without delay.

Many homeowners are surprised to discover that they cannot simply do as they please with trees on their own land. There are several important legal protections in place that you need to be aware of before any work is carried out. Here are some of the legal provisions pertaining to trees which need to be considered before trees work takes place:

• Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) are placed on individual trees or groups of trees that are considered to have significant amenity value. If a tree on your property has a TPO, you must obtain permission from your local planning authority before carrying out any work – including pruning, not just removal. Carrying out unauthorised work on a protected tree is a criminal offence that can result in an unlimited fine.
• Conservation Areas impose similar restrictions. If your property is within a designated conservation area, you are required to give your local council six weeks’ written notice before undertaking any significant work on trees over a certain size. This applies even if there is no specific TPO in place.
• Nesting birds are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. It is illegal to intentionally disturb an active nest, which means that tree work during the main nesting season (broadly March to August) must be carefully managed. A reputable tree surgeon will always check for nesting activity before commencing work.
• Neighbour disputes are another consideration worth understanding. While you are generally entitled to cut back branches or roots that encroach onto your property from a neighbour’s tree, you cannot enter their land to do so, and the cut material technically remains their property. If a neighbour’s tree poses a risk to your home, it’s always better to open a dialogue than to take unilateral action.

At West Country Tree Services, we are fully up to date with all relevant legislation and can advise you on what permissions may be required before any work begins.

This is one of the questions we’re most frequently asked – and the honest answer is that it depends on a wide range of factors. The main ones include the size and species of the tree, its location and access, the type of work required, and whether disposal of green waste is included. A simple crown thin on a small garden tree will cost considerably less than the sectional dismantling and removal of a large mature oak close to a building.

As a general guide for the UK, you can expect to pay:

• Crown pruning and shaping on a small to medium tree: £150–£500
• Crown reduction on a large tree: £400–£1,200
• Full tree removal for a small tree: £200–£600
• Full tree removal for a large or complex tree: £1,000–£3,000+
• Stump grinding: £75–£400, depending on stump size

Prices in the Bath, Wiltshire, and South West region are broadly in line with these ranges. Always be cautious of quotes that seem unusually low. Properly qualified, insured tree surgeons have significant overheads – equipment maintenance, insurance, waste disposal, and skilled staff – and very cheap quotes often reflect corner-cutting on safety or insurance cover.

Tree removal is typically the most significant cost a homeowner will face, so it’s worth understanding in a little more detail how much tree surgeons charge to cut down a tree.

For a small tree (up to around 5 metres), removal typically costs £200–£600. This covers felling, cutting into manageable sections, and removal from site. Stump grinding is usually quoted separately.

For a medium tree (5–15 metres), you’re typically looking at £500–£1,500. At this size, access, nearby obstacles, and proximity to structures all become more significant factors in the pricing.

For a large tree (15 metres and above), costs can range from £1,500 to £3,500 or more. Very large trees – particularly those requiring sectional dismantling over a building or in a confined space – can cost more still. This is entirely justified by the level of skill, specialist equipment, and risk management involved.

Additional charges to factor in may include log splitting or firewood processing, green waste disposal if not covered in the initial quote, stump grinding, and emergency call-out fees if the work is needed outside normal working hours. At West Country Tree Services, we provide free, no-obligation written quotations for all work, so you’ll know exactly what you’re paying for before we begin. We’ll also always advise you honestly on whether full removal is actually necessary, or whether a less disruptive option could achieve the same result.

Whether you’ve noticed warning signs in one of your trees, need emergency work following storm damage, or simply want a professional assessment of the trees on your property, West Country Tree Services is here to help. Based in Bath and covering the wider Wiltshire and South West region, our experienced, fully qualified, and insured team offers a complete range of tree surgery services, including: tree felling, stump removal and hedgework. We also supply and deliver seasoned firewood.

Visit our website to find out more about our tree services in

• Swindon

• Trowbridge

• Warminster

• Westbury

• Wiltshire