Summer Branch Drop

Summer Branch Drop (SBD)

Summer Branch Drop is a term used for the failure of branches normally 4 inches in diameter of mature trees breaking away and falling from the tree.  Summer Branch Drop is reported to occur normally after heavy downfalls of rain or prolonged dry spells, which England is seeing much of over the recent weeks and upcoming.

Tree’s commonly known to suffer from Summer Branch Drop are; Oak, Sweet Chestnut, Beech, Ash, Poplar, Willow, Horse Chestnut and English Elm.   The younger trees belonging to these groups that are still maturing are reported not to suffer from Summer Branch Drop.

Summer Branch Drop is not a condition that can be prevented, however causes concern for pedestrians walking by as has been known to be the diagnosis for some unfortunate fatalities.  Also another risk to consider is a tree especially from the above listed species that are prone to SBD growing too closely to the home.  If a branch falls it will most definitely cause some form of damage.  Again as mentioned SBD is beyond our control. A prevention of  this happening is having trees removed that are growing too close to the home, in reservation areas for trees that are prone to suffer from SBD to have a small fencing around to secure away from pedestrians.

If you feel a tree of the above species is growing too close to your home please get in contact with us by telephone on

0800 072 7755 or 07966 265 373.  Alternatively you can email us for a response within 24 hours.

We offer a free health check on your trees and would be happy to provide one for you.  In many cases the above trees have a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) against them, meaning that in order to carry out any works on the tree permission first has to be given by the local council which is granted on the basis of a professional Tree Consultancy Survey.  All of which we are able to instruct and carry out.