During the summer months, you may occasionally notice large branches falling from trees, sometimes even on calm, dry days. This is known as summer branch drop or summer branch shedding.

A branch falling doesn’t necessarily mean the tree is dead, dying, or unhealthy. Summer branch drop can happen in otherwise healthy trees, and the reasons why individual branches fail are not always fully understood. Extreme heat, drought and other environmental stresses may play a part.

Dawn Drew, Estates and Stewardship Manager at Bournville Village Trust, said: “Our trees are regularly inspected and managed as part of our ongoing tree-care programme. If you see a fallen branch during the summer, there is no need to assume the tree itself is in poor health. Summer branch drop is a reminder that trees are living, dynamic structures, and even healthy ones can every now and again lose branches unexpectedly.”

What should you do?

• Understand that this is a natural phenomenon and some branch failure is simply part of a tree’s life cycle.
• Be cautious of summer branch drop, especially in the mornings when branches are more likely to drop.

For more information about trees, please go to our Estates and Stewardship page.