We offer the following services in tree surgery to all our clients:
• Site clearance and preparation for developers
• Crown lifting, reducing and thinning
• Pollarding
• Felling
• Section felling and dismantling
• Dead wooding
• Hedge & shrub care
• Planting
• Climbing surveys
• Chipping and waste removal
and much more.
► Crown Lifting
Crown lifting is the removal of the lowest branches and/or preparing of lower branches for future removal. Good practice dictates crown lifting should not normally include the removal of large branches growing directly from the trunk as this can cause large wounds which can become extensively decayed leading to further long term problems or more short term biomechanical instability. Crown lifting on older, mature trees should be avoided or restricted to secondary branches or shortening of primary branches rather than the whole removal wherever possible.
Crown lifting is an effective method of increasing light transmission to areas closer to the tree or to enable access under the crown but should be restricted to less than 15% of the live crown height and leave the crown at least two thirds of the total height of the tree. Crown lifting should be specified with reference to a fixed point, e.g. ‘crown lift to give 5.5m clearance above ground level’.
► Crown Reduction
Crown reduction pruning is most often used when a tree has grown too large for its permitted space. This method, sometimes called drop crotch pruning, is preferred to topping because it results in a more natural appearance, increases the time before pruning is needed again and minimizes stress.
Crown reduction pruning should only be used as a method of last resort. This pruning technique often results in large pruning wounds to stems that may lead to decay, however certain species can tolerate this procedure better than others. In some situations a better long term solution is to remove the tree and replace it with a tree that will not grow beyond the available space.
► Crown Thinning
Crown thinning is a pruning technique primarily used on hardwood(deciduous) trees. Crown thinning is the selective removal of stems and branches to increase light penetration and air movement throughout the crown of a tree. The intent is to improve a tree’s structure and form while making life uncomfortable for tree pests.
► Felling
To remove the tree by straight felling or to dismantle the tree in sections also called Sectional Felling. This is how a tree is removed in small gardens or when there are features below the tree.
This process can involve using ropes and or in some cases a crane. As tree care specialists we like to preserve trees, but there are times when the location of a tree is not practical or where its position or condition mean it needs to be removed.
► Dead Wooding / Crown Cleaning
As a tree matures it is completely natural for it to produce dead and dying wood. The general process of “dead wooding” is to remove dead, dying and diseased branches throughout the crown. The simply purpose of this is to make what’s known as the impact area (directly beneath the trees canopy) a safer environment to be in, so there is no chance of any limb shedding or falling from the trees canopy.
Whilst removing dead wood from the tree it is also really made compulsory that crown cleaning will be included with in the pruning operation. Thus meaning any crossing, rubbing and damaged branches are removed too.
► Hedge and Shrub Care
An integral part of the design of any garden, hedges and shrubs bring beauty, form and structure but, like your other plants, they also need care and maintenance if you want to get the best from them. With the right pruning methods and timing you can ensure your hedges and shrubs are a real asset to your property. From having an overgrown conifer trimmed to shape or a formal Beech hedge maintained, getting advice on rejuvenating ornamental shrubs or avoiding conflicts with your neighbours under the ‘High Hedges Act’.
► Planting
We offer tree and shrub planting advice, sourcing and planting. Please get in touch to discuss.
► Pollarding
“Pollarding trees” means cutting them back nearly to the trunk, so as to produce a dense mass of branches. It is sometimes done today for aesthetic purposes and/or to keep a beloved tree from outgrowing its bounds, necessitating removal. But traditionally, it was done for other reasons: the cut branches were either fed to livestock (fodder), burned as fuel or used to make things.
Pollarding begins on young trees, and the process is repeated throughout the life of the tree. Only certain types of trees are suited to pollarding. Now that you know what “pollarding” means, compare it to “topping.”
► Topping
“Topping trees” is a term used in arboriculture. It means cutting older trees down almost to the top of the trunk. Topping trees is sometimes used as a less expensive alternative to their full removal, which can be quite costly in the case of large old trees. It is done not with an eye to what is best for the tree, but because the homeowner is in a pinch. Some types of trees may die after topping, but this fact often holds little importance to the homeowner, who may actually be glad to have the tree die if it is unwanted. A similar term — with a longer tradition behind it — is “pollarding.” But there is a difference between topping trees and pollarding them. More thought goes in to pollarding. For example, it is known that only certain types of trees respond well to the practice, so pollarding is limited to those trees. In contrast with topping, pollarding is first performed when a tree is young. Pollarding is also an ongoing operation, while topping is often done just once, as a stop-gap measure.
When hiring arborists or hiring tree services to trim tree limbs that hang threateningly over your home, make sure they have no intentions of topping your tree — if the tree has any importance to you. Topping, in such circumstances, is a highly disreputable procedure.