Tree Pruning

These types of works are necessary to get a tree or trees back into a natural shape and is also required when trees get too close to neighbouring structures. This can also increase its aesthetic value to the area.

  • Crown lifting - Crown lifting is the removal of the lowest branches. It 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 thinning - This is the process in which we remove unnecessary branches such as deadwood, overlapping branches and thick clusters of branches to produce a uniform density of foliage around an evenly spaced branch structure. A maximum of 30% of the overall trees canopy should only be removed at once.

This process can be done to allow more natural light through the canopy, reduce the weight of the branches and can reduce wind resistance.

  • Crown reducing - The reduction in height and/or spread of the crown (the foliage bearing portions) of a tree. Crown reduction may be used to reduce mechanical stress on individual branches or the whole tree, make the tree more suited to its immediate environment or to reduce the effects of shading and light loss, etc.



For a definition of terms and meanings, see a brief guide from trees.org.uk


Tree Pruning Process

Client Discussion

  • Conversation with client to establish work requirements

  • Site walkaround to agree details and specifics of the site (Including site access)

  • Assistance with (TPO) Tree Preservation Order/ Conservation Area(s) application submission (if appropriate)

Team Discussion and Site assessment

  • Assess the site for hazards relating to the trees, terrain, other operations

  • Assess the overall weather conditions for the scheduled work

  • Allocate responsibilities to the team members for the planned work

  • Assess public access safety for any potential concerns

Individual tree assessment

  • Look for tree defects, decay, heavy lean, or any other characteristics of the tree that may affect any pruning work

  • Check the surrounding trees for interlocked branches, dead tops or branches that may fall into the work area

  • Determine what can be pruned from the ground and which work is to complete from within the tree

Commencing Tree work

  • Applying professional cutting techniques for safe, accurate, consistent results

  • Team coordinating processes to remove and process the tree ready for transport

Cleanup & Client Approval

  • Initial client inspections of works carried out

  • Agreement of work completion

  • Site cleanup process to restore the original state