Frequently Asked Questions

As a general rule, we avoid removing more than 20-25% of a tree's living canopy in a single visit, since heavier cuts can stress the plant and trigger weak regrowth. Shrubs tolerate slightly harder cutting, particularly fast-growing hedging species, but we still work in stages rather than one aggressive pass if a plant has been neglected for several years. Before any cut, we look at the shape, health and position of the specimen relative to buildings, fences and sightlines, then plan a sequence: deadwood first, then crossing branches, then shaping. Clients receive a short explanation on site of what will be removed and why.

Some trees are protected by a Tree Preservation Order, and trees within a conservation area may also require formal notice before any work, including pruning. Before starting a job, we ask for the tree's location and, where there is any doubt, we recommend checking with the local planning authority. We do not carry out work on protected trees without confirmation that the correct notice or consent process has been completed by the property owner. This check takes little time but avoids delays or complications later, and we are happy to point clients toward the right department to ask.

Work is carried out with bypass secateurs and loppers for smaller branches, pole saws and hand saws for mid-sized limbs, and petrol or battery chainsaws for larger cuts, always matched to branch diameter to leave a clean edge rather than a torn one. Hedges are trimmed with petrol or electric hedge trimmers depending on length and access to power. For taller trees we use ladders, rope access or, where needed, a mobile platform, rather than climbing spikes on live trees, since spikes can damage bark unnecessarily. All blades are kept sharp and are cleaned between sites to reduce the spread of disease between properties.

Pricing depends on the size and number of trees or shrubs, access to the site, how much material needs removing, and whether waste clearance is included. A single hedge trim on a domestic property is generally quoted differently from crown thinning on a mature tree. Rather than giving a single figure that would not fit every garden, we provide a written quote after a short site visit or a set of photos, usually confirmed within the same day. There is no charge for the initial assessment, and the quote lists labour, waste removal and any equipment hire separately so costs are clear.

Correct pruning, done at the right time of year with clean cuts made just outside the branch collar, does not harm a healthy plant and often improves its long-term structure by removing dead, diseased or crossing wood. Problems usually arise from poor timing, over-cutting in one visit, or cuts made flush against the trunk that leave a larger wound than necessary. We follow standard cutting positions to allow the plant to seal the wound naturally, and we flag in advance any specimen that looks like it may respond poorly to heavy reduction, offering a lighter, staged approach instead.

Branches and cuttings are chipped on site where access allows, which reduces the volume for transport and can also be left with the client as mulch for borders if requested. Where chipping is not practical, material is loaded and taken away for disposal at a licensed green waste site. Waste removal can be included in the quote or, for clients who prefer to keep the material for their own compost or firewood, we simply stack it neatly and leave the site clear of offcuts, sawdust and small debris before we finish.

Yes, felling and removal is one of the services we offer alongside pruning, for trees that are dead, structurally unsound or simply in the wrong position for the space available. This is assessed separately from routine pruning, since it involves different equipment, sectional dismantling in tight gardens, and stump treatment or grinding afterwards if required. As with pruning, any protected tree is checked against local restrictions before work begins. We explain the reasoning on site so the decision between reduction and removal is based on the condition of the tree rather than guesswork.

Fast-growing formal hedges, such as privet or leylandii, generally need trimming two to three times between late spring and early autumn to keep a sharp line. Slower-growing or informal hedges may only need one cut a year. Ornamental shrubs vary widely: some benefit from a light shaping cut annually, others need a harder renovation cut every few years to keep them from becoming leggy. We can set up a return visit schedule for clients who want the same crew back each season, which also helps us track how a hedge or shrub is developing over time.

Yes. After a site visit, or a review of clear photos for smaller jobs, we send a written quote that breaks down the work into stages, states what will be removed, and lists waste handling and any access equipment needed. No work starts without this being agreed in advance, and any change once work is underway, such as finding rot inside a limb that changes the plan, is discussed with the client before continuing. Typical response time to an initial enquiry is around 4 hours during working days, and quotes are usually issued within a day or two of the site visit.