Does Your Tree Have Heavy Limbs That Are Starting to Crack?
If you have noticed limbs on your tree that look overextended, are drooping more than usual, or have visible cracking at the branch unions, you are not imagining it — that is a warning sign. A Heathridge homeowner came to Green Surgery with exactly this problem in December, and it is more common in Perth’s northern suburbs than most people realise.
The concern was a tree with several limbs carrying far too much weight at the ends. Some of those limbs had already begun to crack at the joints — a sign that without intervention, a strong gust of wind could do the job for you, and not cleanly.
What Green Surgery Did
The goal here was not to drastically change the tree. The homeowner wanted the limbs made safe without losing the shape and character of the tree — a completely reasonable ask, and one that requires a careful approach.
Weight Reduction Without Compromising the Structure
Green Surgery carried out a targeted weight reduction across the affected limbs, removing enough of the outer growth to relieve the stress on the joints while keeping the tree’s natural form intact. This is not the same as a hard cutback — it is about rebalancing the load so the tree can hold itself properly.
Protecting Against Wind Damage
Perth summers bring strong winds, and overloaded limbs do not need much encouragement to come down. By addressing the cracking and redistributing the weight, those limbs are now far better positioned to handle what the season throws at them.
The Result
Limbs that are no longer at risk of splitting under their own weight or in high winds — and a tree that still looks like itself.
Got a Similar Issue in Heathridge or Nearby?
If your tree has heavy limbs, visible cracking, or growth that looks like it is pulling away from the trunk, do not wait for the wind to sort it out. Green Surgery works across Heathridge and the surrounding northern suburbs and can assess whether weight reduction, pruning, or another approach is the right call.
Call us on 0419 878 190 to have a chat or book an inspection.
The information in this post is for general guidance only and may not reflect current local regulations. Readers should verify requirements with the relevant local authority.
Jayson Wilmot is a qualified Perth arborist with more than 10 years of experience in tree pruning, tree removal, and tree care. As the owner of the Green Surgery and team leader, Jayson focuses on helping homeowners and businesses keep their properties safe, healthy, and compliant with local council requirements.
His hands-on experience covers everything from tree preservation and transplanting to managing firebreaks and storm-damage clean-ups. Jayson’s approach is simple — every job should protect both people and the environment.
Outside of work, he enjoys exploring Western Australia’s bushland and sharing practical tips on how to maintain thriving, well-balanced trees across Perth’s suburbs.
