Tree Felling
Safe, Efficient, Minimal DisruptionTree felling is a last resort for us
While we offer professional tree removal services, it’s not a task we take lightly. Every tree plays an important role in supporting biodiversity, enhancing landscapes, and contributing to clean air.
However, certain situations make removal unavoidable, such as when a tree is dead, dangerously unstable, severely storm-damaged, or affected by serious health issues like Ash Dieback.
We aim to avoid unnecessary tree felling to help preserve the UK’s tree population, protect vital wildlife habitats, maintain ecosystem balance, and safeguard the natural beauty of our environment.
Sectional / Dismantle Fell
Sectional felling is a method of safely dismantling a tree in manageable sections, often used where space is limited or there’s a need to protect nearby structures, property, or the surrounding landscape.
Each part of the tree is carefully removed in stages, using ropes and rigging techniques where necessary to control the descent of branches and timber.
This approach is typically chosen when a tree is unsafe to fell in one piece — for example, in built-up areas, near roads, or close to buildings and gardens. Sectional felling ensures maximum safety while minimising disruption and damage to the environment below.
Mechanised Removal
Mechanised tree removal uses specialised machinery such as cranes, MEWPs (Mobile Elevated Work Platforms), grapple saws and tree shears to safely and efficiently dismantle or fell trees, especially in challenging or high-risk environments. This method is ideal for removing large, unstable, or storm-damaged trees where traditional climbing or sectional dismantling isn’t practical or safe.
By using advanced equipment, mechanised removal allows for greater precision and control, reducing the risk to surrounding property, infrastructure, and the workforce. It also speeds up the process, making it a cost-effective option for large-scale or complex tree removal projects.
Where possible, we aim to preserve trees – but when removal is unavoidable, mechanised techniques offer a safe, efficient, and minimally disruptive solution.
Tree Surgery Services
Preserving Trees Through Expert Care
Not all trees need to be removed – Not all trees need to be removed – Many can be managed or made safe through target surgery. Our skilled arborists offer a range of pruning and maintenance techniques designed to support tree health, manage risk, and enhance long-term vitality. From crown thinning and deadwood removal to structural bracing and selective pruning, we tailor each intervention to the needs of the tree and its environment.
Crown Reduction
Crown reduction involves selectively shortening the outer branches of a tree’s canopy to reduce overall height and spread. This helps decrease wind loading (sail area), alleviate structural stress, and create more light or space around the tree. When carried out correctly, the tree retains its natural form, just on a smaller scale. Not all species are suitable for this technique, so assessment is key.
Crown Lifting
Also known as crown raising, this involves the removal or shortening of lower branches to improve clearance beneath the canopy – for example, above roads, pathways, or garden spaces. To maintain structural integrity, crown lifting is usually limited to a proportion of the canopy, ensuring at least two-thirds of the total height remains as live crown.
Crown Thinning
Crown thinning is the selective removal of smaller internal branches to reduce canopy density. It enhances airflow and light penetration without changing the tree’s overall size or shape. This technique can help lower wind resistance and branch weight, particularly in broadleaf species. Best practice limits thinning to no more than 30% of the crown’s volume.
Deadwood Removal
Deadwood naturally develops as part of a tree’s lifecycle, often supporting biodiversity. However, in high-use areas such as roadsides, parks, or gardens, it may pose a safety risk. We remove unstable deadwood carefully and sensitively, preserving living tissue and supporting both safety and habitat value wherever possible.
Felling & Site Clearance
Tree felling and site clearance involve the complete removal of trees or vegetation to prepare land for development, restoration, or replanting. Where space and safety allow, trees may be felled in a single operation. In more confined or sensitive locations, we dismantle trees in sections using controlled rigging techniques to minimise disruption. Following felling, the stump is typically left at ground level, but we can also grind it below the surface where required for landscaping or replanting purposes.
Pollarding
Pollarding is a cyclical pruning technique used to manage the size and structure of certain trees. It involves establishing a framework of regrowth points when the tree is young and maintaining that framework through regular pruning every 1–3 years. Pollarding is species-specific and must not be confused with inappropriate practices such as topping.
Epicormic & Basal Growth Managemen
Stress or pruning can trigger dormant buds to produce vigorous shoots from the trunk (epicormic) or base (basal). This is common in species such as Lime, Willow, Poplar, and Oak. While not harmful in themselves, this growth can obstruct views, paths, or signage. We manage this sensitively to maintain the tree’s structure and site use.
Bracing
When trees develop weak branch unions or structural vulnerabilities, bracing can provide essential support. Our modern, non-invasive systems use flexible, UV-stable rope to secure co-dominant stems or heavy limbs, reducing failure risk while allowing for natural movement. Bracing is typically monitored and replaced every 8–12 years.
Get in Touch
Please get in touch to arrange a site visit and a member of our team will come out to your site to assess the works that you require.
T: 01420 579071
E: [email protected]
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