The right work depends on the species, its health and what it stands near, such as a house, a road, overhead cables or a neighbour's garden. Crown work reduces, thins or lifts the branches, and deadwood removal takes out dead branches before they fall.
Felling is for a tree that is dead, unsafe or in the wrong place. It is planned around the buildings, roads and boundaries nearby.
What the work covers
Height and spread reduced while the tree keeps its natural shape.
Some inner branches removed to let more light and wind through.
Lower branches removed to give clearance over a path, road or lawn.
Dead and damaged branches cut out before they fall.
Trees taken down where they are dead, unsafe or in the wrong place.
Questions people ask
How much does tree surgery cost?
The price depends on the size of the tree, the work needed, how close it stands to buildings, roads or cables and how easy it is to reach.
How do I find out if my tree has a TPO?
Ask your local planning authority. Some Welsh councils publish maps of TPOs and conservation areas online, and they will confirm a tree's status on request.
My neighbour's tree overhangs my garden. Can I have it cut back?
You can usually cut overhanging branches back to the boundary line, unless the tree is protected. The branches still belong to your neighbour, so agree with them what happens to the cuttings before work starts.
When is the best time of year for tree work?
Many trees can be pruned in late autumn and winter, when they are dormant and birds are not nesting. Some species are better pruned at other times. Cherries and plums, for example, are pruned in summer to lower the risk of disease.