Crown reduction
Reduces the height and spread of a tree that has outgrown its space, keeping its natural shape.
Tree trimming and pruning
Branches over the roof, a tree blocking the light, or a young tree that needs shaping? We prune to British Standard BS3998, so the tree looks right and stays healthy.
Next free quote visits, live from our diary
Free visits Monday to Thursday and Saturdays.
- 5.0 on Google, 50+ reviews
- NPTC, City & Guilds & Lantra
- £5M insured
Tree trimming in short
Tree trimming, or pruning, covers the different ways of cutting a tree to make it smaller, lighter, safer or better shaped without removing it. The main types are crown reduction, crown thinning, crown lifting, deadwood removal and formative pruning of young trees. Every cut should be made to a natural branch junction, to British Standard BS3998, which is how our NPTC qualified climbers work.
- Types
- Reduction, thinning, lifting, deadwooding, formative pruning, cutting back from buildings
- Standard
- BS3998 tree work standard on every job
- Best time
- Most trees in late autumn to winter. Some species in summer
- Permission
- TPO trees and conservation areas. We check and apply
- Not
- Topping or lopping, which harms trees
Which kind of pruning?
Crown thinning
Removes some inner branches to let light through and reduce weight, without making the tree smaller.
Crown lifting
Removes the lowest branches to clear lawns, paths, drives and roads.
Deadwood removal
Takes out dead and broken branches before they fall.
Cutting back from buildings
Branches taken back from roofs, gutters, walls, windows and cables, to suitable side branches.
Formative pruning
Shapes young trees early with small cuts, so they grow strong and need far less work later.
Pruning done properly
The difference between good and bad pruning shows for years.
A good pruning cut is made just outside the branch collar, the slightly swollen ring where a branch joins a bigger one. The tree can seal over a cut there. Cuts flush to the trunk, or long stubs left behind, invite decay.
When a tree is made smaller, each branch is cut back to a side branch big enough to take over, rather than chopped off at a set height. That is the difference between a crown reduction and topping. We don't top or lop trees.
Tree trimming questions
Anything not covered here? Ask us and we'll give you a straight answer.
When is the best time to trim a tree?
For most trees, late autumn to late winter when they are dormant. Some, like cherry, plum and walnut, are better pruned in summer. See the best time to trim trees.
Can I cut branches overhanging from next door?
Yes, back to the boundary line, unless the tree is protected. The branches belong to your neighbour, so offer them back.
How much does tree trimming cost?
It depends on the size of the tree, how much is being done and the access. We give a fixed price on a free visit.
Do I need permission to prune a tree?
Only if it has a TPO or is 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.
Check your postcode
Five stars, every time
What customers across Dorset and Hampshire say after the job is done.
5.0
50+ Google reviews
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.
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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