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Crown lifting Bournemouth, Poole & Dorset

Low branches in the way? Crown lifting removes the lowest branches to raise the base of the crown, giving you headroom and light underneath without taking anything off the top of the tree.

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  • 5.0 on Google, 50+ reviews
  • NPTC, City & Guilds & Lantra
  • £5M insured
Crown lifting: more headroom and light underneath, nothing taken off the top.

Crown lifting in short

Crown lifting is the removal of a tree's lowest branches to raise the height of the crown above the ground. It is used to clear lawns, paths, drives, roads and buildings, and to let more light into the garden under the tree. The height and spread of the tree stay the same. It is specified as the clearance you want, for example "lift to 3 m over the lawn".

Typical clearance
2.5 m over lawns and paths, about 5.2 m over roads for lorries
Standard
Cuts to BS3998, no more than the tree can take at once
Good for
Walkways, drives, parking, mowing, views and light
Permission
Needed for TPO trees and in conservation areas
Combine with
Crown reduction or thinning

Why lift a crown?

Lifting is one of the gentlest kinds of tree work, and one of the most useful.

Branches that hang low over a path catch people's heads, scrape vans and block the mower. Over a road or pavement they can be a legal problem: the owner has to keep the highway clear. And under a heavy, low crown, nothing grows.

Lifting takes off just those lowest branches, cut back cleanly to the trunk or to a larger branch. On young trees we lift gradually over a few years so the tree keeps enough leaf to grow well. On mature trees we avoid cutting very large lower limbs, which leave big wounds; sometimes a partial lift or a reduction of those limbs is better.

Looking up a trunk at a pruning cut on a large limb
A clean pruning cut on a large limb

Crown lifting questions

Anything not covered here? Ask us and we'll give you a straight answer.

Ask us a question

How high should a tree be lifted?
Usually about 2.5 m over lawns and footpaths, and about 5.2 m over roads so lorries and buses can pass. We agree the height with you, or with the council for street trees.
Does crown lifting harm the tree?
Not when it is done properly. We remove only what the tree can comfortably lose, make clean cuts to BS3998, and avoid taking off large limbs that would leave big wounds.
Can I lift the branches of my neighbour's tree?
You can cut back branches overhanging your side to the boundary, but no further, and not if the tree is protected without consent. We can advise on the visit.
Will crown lifting let more light into my garden?
Yes, especially low morning and evening light under the tree. For more light through the crown itself, combine it with crown thinning.
Do I need permission?
Only for trees with a TPO or in a conservation area. We check and apply for you.

Do we cover you?

Based in Ferndown, covering all of Dorset, all of Hampshire and parts of Wiltshire.

Five stars, every time

What customers across Dorset and Hampshire say after the job is done.

5.0
50+ Google reviews
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Rita Penny profile picture
Rita Penny
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From start, booking the job, to payment this company is very good and I would recommend them to anybody.
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Ellie profile picture
Ellie
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Max came a cut down my grandmother's bushes in her garden and removed the stumps. Great job and highly recommend Clearcut Tree Surgery 🌳 👍
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Adrian Saunders profile picture
Adrian Saunders
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Excellent value and very helpful. I will defiantly order from again. Professional and courteous, excellent value delivered.
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Ann Lodge profile picture
Ann Lodge
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Very efficient tree cutting service. Did a good job of our ornamental walnut tree
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jeff pulley profile picture
jeff pulley
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Fantastic service, wood delivery. Thanks to Clearcut, buy from them every year.
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marg whatton
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Honest good wood pleased
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Rod Plumb profile picture
Rod Plumb
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Great service and price. Will certainly use Clearcut for my logs in future. Thank you Max for your communication and courteous service, so sadly lacking in these dreadful times!
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Charlie Davidson profile picture
Charlie Davidson
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Excellent service as always. Have used Clearcut for 2/3 seasons and will continue to do so.
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Nick M profile picture
Nick M
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Tipped on our drive great service.
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Martin Chef express profile picture
Martin Chef express
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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, Max gave me the contact of the councils approved contractor to carry out a pollard. I wouldn’t hesitate in using Max for any future work at my property.

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Tree down? Call now.

Storm damage, fallen trees and dangerous limbs. Fast response across Dorset and Hampshire, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

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  1. You pick a timeOnline, in about a minute. Visits run Monday to Thursday and Saturdays.
  2. We visit and look properlyA qualified arborist checks the trees, the access and whether any consent is needed.
  3. You get a written quoteA clear, fixed price with no hidden costs. The price quoted is the price you pay.
  • NPTC
  • City & Guilds
  • Lantra
  • £5M insured
  • BS3998

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