Tree Reducing & Crowning
Bring overgrown trees back under control without losing them
You do not always need to lose a tree that has grown too big. A properly carried out crown reduction takes the height and spread back by an agreed amount while keeping the tree’s natural shape, letting light back into your garden and reducing the load on the branches. Branching Out carries out crown reductions, crown lifts, crown thinning and pollarding for customers across Denbighshire, Flintshire, Conwy and Cheshire.
The difference between reducing a tree and simply lopping the top off is enormous. Topping leaves large wounds that decay and a thicket of weak regrowth that needs attention every couple of years. A reduction made by a qualified tree surgeon cuts back to suitable side branches, so the tree heals, keeps its character and stays manageable for far longer.
Gareth is City & Guilds NPTC qualified and works to recognised pruning standards. We will discuss with you exactly how much to take off and describe what the finished tree will look like before we start.
Tree Reducing & Crowning at a glance
- City & Guilds NPTC qualified tree surgeon
- Fully insured, risk assessed and safety led
- Free, no-obligation written quotes
- All waste chipped or removed, site left tidy
- Based in Prestatyn, covering Denbighshire, Flintshire, Conwy & Cheshire
Crown work we carry out
The right technique depends on the species, the condition of the tree and what you want to achieve. We will recommend the most suitable option.
- Crown reductions to a specified height and spread, keeping a natural outline
- Crown lifting to raise the lowest branches over drives, lawns, paths and roads
- Crown thinning to reduce density, let in light and lower wind resistance
- Pollarding and re-pollarding of willow, lime, sycamore, plane and poplar
- Reshaping and remedial work on trees that have previously been topped
- Clearance pruning from roofs, gutters, windows and overhead lines
- Reducing weight on over-extended limbs to prevent failure
- Advice on ongoing pruning cycles so the tree stays the right size
From first call to finished job
Simple, transparent and with no pressure at any stage.
Look at the tree
We visit, assess the species, health and structure of the tree, and listen to what you want: more light, less overhang, a smaller tree, a safer tree.
Agree the spec
We specify the reduction in metres or as a percentage, explain what will be removed and quote in writing. If the tree is protected, we handle the council application.
Do the work
Working from ropes or a platform, we make the cuts at the right points to suitable growth, keeping the crown balanced and the tree healthy.
Clear and advise
All cuttings are chipped and removed. We tell you when the tree will next need looking at, which for a good reduction is usually years rather than months.
Why choose Branching Out for crown reductions
Crown work is where skill shows. Done well, a reduced tree looks like it has always been that size. Done badly, it looks butchered and becomes a recurring cost.
Cuts in the right places
We reduce to suitable side branches rather than leaving stubs, so wounds heal, regrowth is controlled and the tree keeps its shape.
More light, less worry
A well-planned reduction brings light back into gardens and homes and takes the weight and sail out of trees that move alarmingly in coastal winds.
TPO applications handled
Many of the biggest trees in Denbighshire, Flintshire, Conwy and Cheshire are protected. We know what the councils will accept and can make the application for you.
Tree Reducing & Crowning across Denbighshire, Flintshire, Conwy and Cheshire
We carry out crown work throughout Denbighshire, Flintshire, Conwy and Cheshire, from the large Victorian gardens of Llandudno, Colwyn Bay and Rhyl, where mature trees often shade whole terraces, to the modern estates of Prestatyn, Buckley and Kinmel Bay where quick-growing species planted twenty years ago have outgrown their plots.
Coastal exposure makes crown reductions particularly worthwhile here: reducing the sail area of a tall tree in Prestatyn, Towyn or Abergele can be the difference between it standing through the next winter storm or ending up in the garden. Inland, in the Vale of Clwyd, the Clwydian Range and around Mold and Ruthin, we regularly pollard willows and limes and reduce large oaks and beeches near houses and farm buildings.
Towns we regularly cover
- Prestatyn
- Rhyl
- Rhuddlan
- St Asaph
- Denbigh
- Ruthin
- Llangollen
- Corwen
- Flint
- Holywell
- Mold
- Buckley
- Connah's Quay
- Hawarden
- Caerwys
- Talacre
- Abergele
- Kinmel Bay
- Colwyn Bay
- Llandudno
- Conwy
- Llanrwst
- Betws-y-Coed
- Llanfairfechan
- Chester
- Ellesmere Port
- Neston
- Frodsham
- Helsby
- Tarporley
- Malpas
- Northwich
Somewhere else in North Wales? Just ask. We travel further for the right job.
Tree Reducing & Crowning FAQs
Common questions about reducing and crowning trees.
Something else on your mind? Call Gareth on 07796 546252.
Usually up to about a third of the crown in one go, depending on the species and the health of the tree. Taking more than that stresses the tree and causes excessive regrowth. If you want a tree much smaller than that, it may be better to reduce it in stages a few years apart, or to consider replacing it.
A crown reduction makes cuts back to suitable side branches, keeping the tree’s shape and allowing it to heal. Topping cuts straight through branches at a set height, leaving stubs that rot and sprout weak, dense regrowth. Topping is not recommended by any professional body, and we do not do it.
Not if it is done correctly and the tree is healthy. We assess each tree first, choose a suitable reduction for the species, and time the work to suit the tree. Some species, like cherry and walnut, need pruning at particular times of year to avoid problems, and we will advise on that.
You are generally entitled to cut back branches to your boundary, but the cuttings remain the neighbour’s property, protected trees still need council consent, and it is always better to talk to your neighbour first. We can carry out the work and advise on the best approach.
Related services
Tree Surgery
Pruning, crown work, deadwood removal and dismantling by a City & Guilds NPTC qualified climber.
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Tree Felling
Dead, dangerous or unwanted trees straight-felled or dismantled in sections, with all waste removed.
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Hedge Cutting & Maintenance
One-off trims, height reductions and regular maintenance for conifers, laurel, privet, beech and native hedges.
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City & Guilds NPTC Qualified
Gareth is a City & Guilds NPTC qualified tree surgeon, trained in chainsaw use, tree climbing and aerial rescue.
Fully Insured & Safety Led
Public liability insured, with written risk assessments, method statements and a full health & safety policy behind every job.
Free Quotes, No Hidden Costs
We visit, assess the job and quote for free. The price we agree is the price you pay, and we always leave the site clean and tidy.