Felling

Tree felling is a skilled and potentially hazardous operation that should be undertaken only by a competent tree surgeon or tree surgery company. If there is no significant risk of damage to people or property a tree can be felled in one piece.

Where there are restrictions, e.g. lack of space, buildings, roads, other features, land ownership or use, or other trees or shrubs which are to be retained tree surgeons will dismantle a tree in sections (sectional felling).

As Professional Tree Surgeons, where necessary, we will set up rigging systems or use cranes in restricted areas to prevent large branches and pieces of wood from falling freely or pose a risk to surrounding property.

Sectional Felling

Sectional Felling is the complete removal of a tree down to ground level. This work involves the careful lowering of branches and timber so as not to cause damage or destruction to surrounding plants and structures.

The stump will be left as close to the ground as possible but will be above soil level.

Crown Reduction

Crown Reduction is normally required when a tree has grown too large for its permitted space. A long term solution, and often the best solution, is to remove the tree completely and replant. If crown reduction is necessary, it is often required when a tree or part of a tree is touching or very close to a building.

Crown reduction should be considered in order to achieve an overall reduction in the volume of a tree. Work usually involves a general shortening of minor branches. Generally, 20% is the maximum that can reasonably be taken from a crown.

Crown Thinning

Crown thinning is used for specific purposes such as to let in additional light through the canopy or reducing the sail area.

When crown thinning, we keep an even density of foliage and ensure the branches are balanced. Ideally, no more than one third of the leaf-bearing area should be removed during crown thinning and both branches and foliage should be kept as even as possible.

It is often necessary to remove weak, defective, hazardous and/or crossing branches so we take care to retain a balanced look to the tree, should this be required.

Crown Lifting

Crown lifting usually involves the cutting back of branches to the main stem and is often seen in trees by roadsides to keep the area below the tree clear for vehicles.

Crown lifting can increase the probability of decay as the wound left in the tree could lead to stem failure and decay.

We may try to avoid crown lifting in mature trees but if it cannot be avoided, it should preferably involve the removal of secondary branches rather than total branch removal.

Pruning

Young trees can be “trained” to grow in a particular way. Young trees generally require less pruning, however, the training a tree receives while in the early “growth phase” of its life cycle, determines its’ structural integrity for life.

Stump Grinding

When trees are felled or fall, their stumps should be removed to prevent suckering and fungal root rots. Although often large and heavy, stumps can be removed with the right equipment and technique, or removed by weedkiller.