Letting dead trees rot can create new life

However, there are certain areas where leaving tree stumps lying around can be problematic.

“Anywhere there is a possibility that a dead tree could cause harm to people or property, we often just recommend removal,” Rohling says. When deciding whether or not to cut down a tree, he says you have to consider whether the tree could stunt or fall over entirely and, if so, whether it could strike something, especially in high-traffic areas like playgrounds, campgrounds and roads. When in doubt, he advises consulting a certified arborist or other tree service professional.

Are there any advantages to leaving a dead tree in the garden? Here too, according to experts, the answer depends on the context.

“It’s a little more complicated on private property,” says Garbelotto. Trees affected by diseases like sudden oak death, for example, may appear healthy even though they are becoming increasingly dry and structurally unstable. For people living in wildfire-prone areas like the wilderness-urban border, he adds, “Keeping a dead tree on your property – unless the property is very large – really poses a big risk.”

Whether removing dead trees reduces or increases wildfire risk is still a hotly debated topic. For his part, Lindenmayer is adamant that protecting deadwood does not increase the risk. Deadwood requires a lot of ignition (other fuel is nearby, the fire is hot enough, dry conditions and wind are present, etc.) compared to smaller debris like pine needles and twigs. Therefore, deadwood does not contribute as much to rapid fire spread, according to an Oregon State University article. However, deadwood can be more difficult to extinguish once it is burning.