NPTC qualified · Fully insured · Bournemouth based
A Bournemouth tree surgery company that does things properly. Qualified arborists, honest advice, quality work — across Dorset, Hampshire and Wiltshire since 2023.
Who we are
Clearcut Tree Surgery was set up to fill a gap in the Dorset and Hampshire market for tree surgery that is genuinely qualified, properly insured, and honest about what actually needs doing. The business was incorporated in 2023 and grew rapidly — built on word-of-mouth from customers who found an arborist who turned up when he said he would, did the job to a high standard, and didn't charge for work that wasn't necessary.
We're based in Bournemouth and work across a wide area: the full BCP conurbation, all of Dorset, Hampshire including the New Forest, Southampton and surrounding areas, and south Wiltshire. The work ranges from a single garden tree to multi-tree estate management and large-scale commercial contracts — and the approach is the same across all of it.
Tree surgery done properly is a skilled trade. It involves working at height with chainsaws, assessing structural risk, navigating planning law, and leaving a tree that is healthy and safe when the job is finished. We take all of that seriously. NPTC qualifications, £5 million public liability insurance, and BS3998 compliance on every job — not as marketing copy, but because that's the standard the work requires.
A significant proportion of our work involves trees with Tree Preservation Orders or in Conservation Areas. We cover eight planning authorities across our area — Dorset Council, BCP, NFDC, NFNPA, Southampton City, Eastleigh Borough, Test Valley and Wiltshire Council. We check TPO and Conservation Area status at every site visit and manage all applications directly. We never begin work on a protected tree without the correct consent in place.
We also carry out tree surveys and arboricultural reports — BS5837 surveys for planning applications, pre-purchase condition assessments and risk reports — accepted by all relevant planning authorities in our area.
Year founded
Public liability
Planning authorities covered
Years combined experience
The team
Max is the face and driving force of Clearcut — the person who visits your property, assesses your trees and carries out the work. His reputation in the area is built on showing up when he says he will, giving honest advice and not charging for work that isn't needed. Customers who've worked with Max once tend to come back.
He works directly with homeowners, landlords, estate managers and commercial clients across Dorset, Hampshire and Wiltshire, handling everything from a single stump grind to multi-day TPO estate work.
All Clearcut arborists hold current NPTC (City & Guilds) certificates covering chainsaw operation, aerial tree work and associated disciplines. Insurance certificates and qualification cards are available on request at every site visit — not something you should ever have to chase a tree surgeon for.
Our clients
From a single back garden to large-scale commercial contracts — here's who trusts us with their trees across Dorset, Hampshire and Wiltshire.
The majority of our work is in residential gardens — single trees, hedges, stump grinding, TPO crown reductions. We treat every garden with the same care regardless of size. Honest advice on what actually needs doing — nothing more, nothing less.
Rental properties and portfolios need reliable tree surgery that's done properly and documented correctly. We work regularly with individual landlords and letting agencies managing multiple properties across Bournemouth, Poole and Hampshire, providing consistent standard work across portfolios.
Housing associations across Dorset and Hampshire rely on contractors who can manage high volumes of work reliably, with consistent quality and documentation to satisfy health and safety requirements. We understand the procurement and reporting expectations of housing association contracts.
We work with local councils and local authority contractors on TPO management, highway-adjacent trees and public space tree care. Our knowledge of the relevant planning authorities across Dorset, Hampshire and Wiltshire means council-related work is handled correctly from the outset.
Hotels, office sites, retail parks, schools and commercial premises all have tree obligations — TPOs, inspection requirements, insurance liability for fallen limbs. We provide scheduled maintenance contracts and one-off works for commercial clients who need reliable, documented tree care.
Veteran hedgerow oaks, woodland management, farm boundary work, estate tree surveys and large-scale land management across Dorset, Hampshire and Wiltshire. We have tractor-mounted equipment for larger rural contracts and experience with the complex planning and ecological requirements of AONB and National Park land.
Client list
From national brands to local councils, housing associations to luxury hotels — a cross-section of the organisations that have trusted Clearcut with their tree surgery across Dorset and Hampshire.
One of the UK's largest housing associations. Multi-site tree surgery and maintenance across residential property portfolios in the south.
Tree surgery and maintenance work for Hampshire's local authority — highway-adjacent trees, public spaces and council property.
DWP-managed Job Centre sites — commercial property tree maintenance to public sector compliance and H&S standards.
Tree surgery at one of Bournemouth's most prominent seafront hotels — sensitive work in a high-profile setting with minimal disruption to guests.
Grounds and tree maintenance at Queens Hotel & Spa — careful scheduling around guest-facing areas on a busy Bournemouth seafront property.
Commercial tree and grounds maintenance for McDonald's sites — method statements, risk assessments and work carried out outside trading hours to schedule.
Tree and vegetation management at Greggs commercial sites — H&S compliant, properly documented, on time.
Tree surgery and grounds work at Premier hotel sites — reliable, tidy and correctly insured commercial contractors for managed hospitality properties.
Tree surgery on a working golf course — specialist access planning, correct timing around play and full clearance on completion.
Tree clearance and preparation work for MK Restorations' building and restoration projects across the region.
Pre-construction tree clearance and site preparation — working alongside Read Quality Buildings on residential and commercial development projects.
Commercial clients require contractors who are properly insured, can provide method statements and risk assessments, and show up reliably to schedule. If you're a property manager, estate manager or commercial client looking for a tree surgery contractor across Dorset or Hampshire, get in touch or call 01202 022560.
Qualifications & insurance
All Clearcut arborists are qualified to NPTC standard — the nationally recognised qualification for tree surgery in the UK. Certificates cover CS30/31 (chainsaw), CS38 (aerial work) and associated units. Cards are available to view at any site visit, before work begins.
Clearcut Tree Surgery Ltd carries £5 million public liability insurance. Our certificate is available on request before any work starts. Anyone who won't produce insurance evidence before starting work on your property is a risk you shouldn't take.
All tree pruning is carried out to BS3998:2010. Cuts at the correct position, no flush cuts, no stubs, no lion's tailing. The tree should be structurally sound and look better after we've been — that's the standard, not an aspiration.
We manage all TPO and Conservation Area notifications across eight planning authorities — Dorset Council, BCP, NFDC, NFNPA, Southampton City, Eastleigh Borough, Test Valley and Wiltshire Council. We check status at every site visit and never start work on a protected tree without consent.
Our approach
We tell you what needs doing, not what produces the biggest invoice. If a crown reduction is more appropriate than removal, we'll say so. If the tree is fine and just needs monitoring, we'll say that too.
TPO applications to the right authority, in the right format, before work starts. We know the difference between Dorset Council, BCP, NFDC and NFNPA — and we never guess.
British Standard tree work, not just a badge on a website. Correct cuts, correct timing, correct removal percentage. The tree looks after itself if the initial work is done right.
Everything goes — brash chipped, timber removed or stacked as agreed, site swept. We work in people's gardens and treat them as such.
Written quote, no hidden extras. If something genuinely unexpected comes up we tell you before we carry on — but the price doesn't change because we feel like it.
Sounds basic. In the trades it isn't. We commit to a date and we're there. If something changes we call you in advance, not on the morning with an excuse.
What customers say
"Max was very friendly and helpful when I contacted him and communication with Kacee was great when arranging an appointment. Clearcut completed the job very well and within a good time frame. I would definitely recommend them."
"Max came out on a very wet day and within 2 hours of initially calling him. Gave his expert advice and opinion and, although couldn't do the job due to the tree being on council highway, gave me the contact of the council's approved contractor. I wouldn't hesitate in using Max for any future work."
"Very friendly and professional service. I am very pleased with the work and tidying up. I will definitely use the Clearcut service again — well done Max and the team."
Qualified, insured and based in Bournemouth. Free site visit, written quote, no pressure. Dorset, Hampshire and Wiltshire covered.
We'll respond within 24 hours and arrange a site visit.
