Competition for light, water, nutrients and growing space can affect tree growth, structure and overall health. In some situations, carefully considered tree management can help reduce excessive competition and allow remaining trees to develop more successfully.
At Tip Top Tree Services, we help homeowners and landowners across Oxfordshire understand how their trees are growing and whether professional management could benefit the health and safety of their trees.
Why Do Trees Compete With Each Other?
Trees need several essential resources to grow:
- Sunlight
- Water
- Nutrients
- Space for their roots
- Space for their branches and canopy
When trees are planted or naturally regenerate close together, their root systems and canopies can overlap.
This doesn’t necessarily mean there is a problem. Trees naturally grow alongside one another in woodland and other environments. However, where competition becomes intense, individual trees may have to adapt their growth to the conditions around them.
Competition for Sunlight
One of the most obvious forms of competition is for sunlight.
Trees need sunlight for photosynthesis, the process through which they produce energy for growth.
A tree surrounded by taller or denser trees may receive less direct sunlight. It may respond by growing upwards and developing branches towards available light.
Over time, this can result in:
- A one-sided canopy
- Reduced lower branches
- Long, narrow growth
- Uneven crown development
- Increased competition between neighbouring canopies
This is particularly noticeable when one tree grows significantly faster or taller than those around it.
Competition Between Tree Roots
What happens above ground is only part of the picture.
Trees also compete below ground through their root systems.
Neighbouring trees can have overlapping root systems, meaning they may be using water and nutrients from the same areas of soil.
The extent of this competition depends on factors such as:
- Tree species
- Soil type
- Soil moisture
- Available nutrients
- Tree size
- Planting density
- Weather conditions
During prolonged periods of dry weather, competition for available water can become particularly important.
Does Competition Mean a Tree Is Unhealthy?
Not necessarily.
Trees have evolved to grow alongside other vegetation and can cope with a certain level of competition.
A tree growing close to another tree isn’t automatically a tree that needs pruning or removal.
Instead, the tree should be considered in context.
An arborist may look at the tree’s:
- Overall vitality
- Crown development
- Structural condition
- Growth pattern
- Root environment
- Surrounding trees
- Location and potential targets
This helps determine whether competition is actually causing a significant problem.
When Can Competition Become a Problem?
Competition can become more significant when trees are extremely crowded or when one tree is being heavily suppressed by surrounding growth.
For example, a smaller tree underneath a dense canopy may receive very little light. Its growth may become increasingly restricted as surrounding trees become larger.
There can also be situations where several mature trees are competing for limited space.
However, simply removing neighbouring trees isn’t always the answer.
Removing one tree can dramatically change the conditions experienced by the trees that remain.
What Happens When a Neighbouring Tree Is Removed?
This is an important consideration when managing groups of trees.
If a tree has spent many years growing alongside other trees, its structure may have developed in response to its surroundings.
Removing a neighbouring tree can suddenly expose the remaining tree to:
- Increased wind
- Greater sunlight
- Different moisture conditions
- Reduced competition
- New areas of exposed canopy
This is one reason why tree removal within a group should be carefully considered rather than approached as simply removing whichever tree appears to be causing competition.
Can Tree Pruning Reduce Competition?
Sometimes, selective pruning can help manage competition between trees.
The objective shouldn’t simply be to cut away as much growth as possible. Instead, professional pruning should have a clear purpose.
Depending on the circumstances, appropriate pruning may help:
- Manage excessive or conflicting growth
- Improve clearance
- Reduce selected branches
- Maintain a suitable canopy
- Address specific structural issues
However, excessive pruning can create its own problems.
A tree should not be heavily reduced simply because another tree is growing nearby. The condition, species, structure and surroundings of each tree should be considered before work is recommended.
Why Tree Species Matter
Different species respond differently to competition.
Some trees naturally tolerate shade and can grow successfully beneath taller trees. Others perform better in open conditions with greater access to sunlight.
Growth rate also varies between species.
This means that two trees growing next to each other may not compete equally. One may become dominant while another remains smaller and more suppressed.
Understanding the characteristics of the species involved can therefore be important when deciding how a group of trees should be managed.
What About Trees in Gardens?
Competition isn’t limited to woodland.
It’s common to find gardens where several trees have been planted close together over many years.
When the trees were young, there may have appeared to be plenty of space between them. As they mature, their canopies and root systems can become much larger.
This can create questions such as:
“Should one of the trees be removed?”
“Would pruning help?”
“Are the trees too close together?”
There isn’t always a simple answer.
A professional assessment can help establish how the trees are interacting and whether any management is actually necessary.
Managing Trees for the Long Term
Good tree management isn’t just about dealing with immediate problems. It’s also about considering how trees will develop over the next 5, 10 or even 20 years.
If several young trees are growing closely together, early management may sometimes help establish a healthier long-term structure.
For established mature trees, management decisions need to be even more carefully considered because removing or significantly altering one tree can affect the surrounding trees.
A long-term approach can help maintain healthy, safe and attractive trees while avoiding unnecessary work.
Should You Remove a Tree Because It Is Competing With Another?
Not automatically.
Competition is only one factor to consider.
Before deciding whether a tree should be pruned or removed, it is important to consider its condition, location, structural stability, ecological value and relationship with surrounding trees.
In many cases, retaining multiple trees may be perfectly appropriate.
In other situations, selective management may provide a better long-term solution.
Professional Tree Advice From Tip Top Tree Services
Trees are living structures that constantly respond to their surroundings. When several trees grow together, their relationship can become increasingly complex as they mature.
Understanding this relationship is important before carrying out pruning or removal work.
At Tip Top Tree Services, we can assess individual trees and groups of trees to help homeowners and property owners make informed decisions about their management.
If you’re concerned that trees on your property are growing too closely together, competing for space or affecting one another’s development, get in touch with Tip Top Tree Services to discuss your requirements and arrange a professional quotation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can trees be too close together?
Yes, trees can become overcrowded, but proximity alone doesn’t necessarily mean there is a problem. Species, age, condition, soil and growing conditions all matter.
Do trees compete for water?
Yes. Neighbouring trees can have overlapping root systems and may use water from the same areas of soil, particularly during dry conditions.
Should I remove one tree to help another grow?
Not necessarily. Removing a neighbouring tree can change wind exposure, light levels and other conditions. A professional assessment should be carried out before making a decision.
Can pruning help trees that are competing?
In some circumstances, selective pruning can help manage conflicting growth, but excessive pruning can damage a tree. Any work should have a clear objective.
Looking after your trees today can help keep them healthy, safe and manageable for years to come.
📞 Call us for a free tree assessment: 07392001837
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