Fear of trees (dendrophobia)

A fear of trees might seem surprising, but for some people tall trees, dense woodland or branches moving in the wind bring real unease. Dendrophobia can mean avoiding parks and country walks, or feeling tense during storms when trees sway and creak.

About this phobia

The name comes from the Greek dendron, meaning tree. It is a rare term mentioned in lists of unusual fears rather than in clinical writing. It sits close to hylophobia, a fear of forests, and can be tied to worries about falling branches or getting lost in woods.

What it feels like

• Watching branches overhead for signs they might fall
• Feeling closed in or watched among dense trees
• Avoiding wooded paths, especially in wind or at dusk

Explore more unusual fears in the rare phobias A to Z, or browse the common phobias.

Common questions

Why would someone be scared of trees?

It often links to something specific, such as a storm, a falling branch or getting lost in woodland as a child. For others it is the sense of being hemmed in by trees, or their size and sound in the wind. Knowing what the fear centres on can make it easier to tackle.

How can you help?

I use hypnotherapy and NLP to change how your mind responds to the thing you fear, so the old alarm stops going off. Sessions are one to one over Zoom, and you get a recording of the hypnosis to listen to afterwards.

How many sessions will I need?

Many clients notice a real difference after one 90 minute session. If the fear goes back a long way, three sessions gives us room to make the change stick.

Ready to start?

Book a £49 consultation call and we’ll talk through your fear, or take the free suitability test first.

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