Crown reduction is a proportional, sympathetic shortening of a tree's canopy. We don't 'top' trees — that's a destructive practice that creates weak regrowth and shortens the tree's life. We make smaller cuts at natural growth points, so the tree heals cleanly and the new shape reads as natural within a season.
A typical residential reduction takes between five and twenty per cent off the canopy. Larger reductions are sometimes asked for and rarely advisable; we'll be honest if what you've asked for isn't in the tree's interest.
02 · How it works
The work, step by step.
01
Site visit & quote
James walks the site, measures up, talks through the brief and any TPO considerations. Written quote within 48 hours.
02
Set-up & rigging
Drop sheets across beds, rigging lines into the canopy, ground crew on stand-by. Most reductions are climbed — never spiked.
03
Cuts to growth points
Each branch is shortened back to a side limb of the right size to take over as a new leader. The tree continues to grow naturally.
04
Clearance & tidy
All arisings cleared by hand. Chip is taken away by default — or left for your beds, your call. The garden looks better when we leave than when we arrived.
03 · Before & after
A recent job — Chelmsford.
Three days, two climbers, twenty per cent off the canopy. Drag the slider to compare May 2025 (before) with June 2025 (after).
Before — May 2025
After — June 2025
Day 1 · Rigging set
Day 2 · Reduction in progress
Day 3 · Final shape
04 · Credentials
Insured, qualified, audited.
Every climber holds City & Guilds NPTC certification. £10m public and employer liability cover. CHAS-accredited — our health and safety processes are audited independently each year.
CHAS — Accredited Contractor
NPTC — City & Guilds Qualified
IPAF — Powered Access
ROLO — On-Site Safety
BALI — Landscape Industries
Insured — Public £10m / Employer £10m
05 · Frequently asked
The questions we hear most.
Every job is quoted on site — price depends on tree size, access, complexity and what's removed from the garden. We don't bill for the quote visit, and the written quote is what you pay.
Most residential jobs are a single day. Larger reductions, multi-tree jobs and clearances run two to four days. We'll tell you the day count in the written quote.
Trees with a Tree Preservation Order, or trees inside a Conservation Area, need a council application before any work. We handle the paperwork as part of the job.
We take everything away by default. If you'd like the chip for your beds or logs cut for the stove, just say — it's no extra cost on most jobs.
Yes — £10m public liability and £10m employer liability. We're CHAS-accredited and can supply certificates before the job starts.
06 · Request a quote
Tell us about the tree.
Quote visits are free. We respond within one working day — sooner for storm and hazard work.
Ready to book a visit?
Three minutes to fill in. James reads every request himself.
