Crown reduction Bournemouth, Poole & Dorset
Keep the tree, make it smaller. A crown reduction brings back the height and spread of a tree by cutting each branch back to a healthy side branch, so it stays balanced and natural-looking.
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Crown reduction in short
A crown reduction makes a tree smaller in height and spread while keeping its natural shape. Each outer branch is cut back to a suitable side branch rather than chopped off, which is better for the tree's health and looks far better than topping. Reductions are specified in metres, for example "reduce height and spread by 2 m", and the finished size is agreed with you on the visit.
- Typical reduction
- 1 m to 3 m off the height and spread, depending on the tree
- How much
- As a rule no more than about a third of the leaf area at once
- Standard
- All cuts to British Standard BS3998
- Permission
- Needed for TPO trees and in conservation areas. We apply for you
- Best time
- Most broadleaves in late autumn to late winter. Some species are best in summer
What a crown reduction does
It is the right answer when a tree is healthy but has simply got too big for its space.
A reduction takes weight and height off the outside of the crown. That lets more light into the garden, takes branches back from the house, gutters and roof, reduces how much the tree catches the wind, and keeps a large tree in proportion with a small garden.
Our climbers work around the whole crown, cutting each branch back to a side branch at least a third of its size. That way the tree keeps growing from natural points and closes over the wounds, instead of sprouting a mass of weak shoots from stubs.
A good reduction is hard to spot: the tree just looks smaller and tidier. Use the 1 m, 2 m and 3 m buttons on the picture above to see how each size changes a tree of about 12 m.
Reduction, thinning or lifting?
Three common kinds of crown work, each for a different problem.
| Work | What it does | Choose it when |
|---|---|---|
| Crown reduction | Takes height and spread off the outside of the crown | The tree is too big for its space |
| Crown thinning | Removes some inner branches, keeping the outline | You want more light and less weight, not a smaller tree |
| Crown lifting | Removes the lowest branches to raise the crown | You need headroom over a lawn, path, drive or road |
| Pollarding | Cuts back to the same framework every few years | The tree has been pollarded before, or suits it |
Many jobs combine them, for example a 2 m reduction with a crown lift over the drive.
How we carry out a reduction
- 1
Free visit
We look at the species, health and shape of the tree, and agree with you how much to take off and where.
- 2
Permission
We check for a TPO or conservation area and apply if needed.
- 3
Climb
A qualified climber works around the crown on ropes, with the ground crew managing every branch that comes down.
- 4
Cut to BS3998
Each branch is cut back to a suitable side branch, keeping the crown balanced.
- 5
Clear up
Everything is chipped and taken away and the garden is swept.
What does a crown reduction cost?
Every tree is priced on a free visit.
We are mid-range on price. The written quote is the price you pay.
What affects the price
- The size and species of the tree
- How much is being taken off
- Access for the climber and the chipper
- Whether there are buildings, cables or glasshouses under the crown
Crown reduction questions
Anything not covered here? Ask us and we'll give you a straight answer.
How much can a tree be reduced?
Is crown reduction the same as topping?
When is the best time for a crown reduction?
How long does a reduction last?
Do I need permission for a crown reduction?
Will a reduction make my tree safer?
Do we cover you?
Based in Ferndown, covering all of Dorset, all of Hampshire and parts of Wiltshire.
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Book your free quote visit
Choose the job, pick a time from our live diary and tell us where. No payment and no obligation.
- You pick a timeOnline, in about a minute. Visits run Monday to Thursday and Saturdays.
- We visit and look properlyA qualified arborist checks the trees, the access and whether any consent is needed.
- 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
Want to ask something first? Send us a message and we reply within 24 hours.
Contact usTree down or dangerous? Call 01202 022560, 24 hours a day.
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