Tree Surgery
Got a tree that's outgrown its space, blocking light, or worrying you after a storm? Our qualified arborists handle the lot, from crown reduction and thinning to pollarding, deadwooding and full tree removal. All work is to British Standard BS3998, across Gloucestershire and surrounding areas, with a free quote every time.
Typically From
£350
Tree Surgery
Tree Felling & Removal
Tree felling is the complete removal of a tree, either by bringing it down in one piece where there’s space, or by dismantling it in sections (section felling) when it’s close to a house, fence, or power line. We rig and lower limbs in a controlled way so nothing below is at risk, then deal with the stump and clear the site.
Removing a tree is sometimes the only safe option, a dead or dying tree, storm damage, disease, or a tree that’s simply outgrown its position. Where a removal is avoidable, we’ll tell you honestly and suggest pruning instead. Every tree is checked for a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) or conservation area status before any work begins, so you don’t run into trouble with the council.
You Might Need Tree Felling If:
- The tree is dead, dying, or structurally unsafe
- It's been badly damaged in a storm
- It's diseased and the disease can't be managed
- Roots are threatening foundations, drains, or paving
- The tree is overcrowding the garden or blocking development
- It's the wrong tree in the wrong place and pruning won't fix it
| Tree Size | Typical Scope | Guide Price |
|---|---|---|
| Small garden tree | Up to 6m, light reduction | From £350 |
| Medium tree | 6–12m, moderate reduction | From £750 |
| Large tree | 12m+, complex rigging | POA |
Tree Surgery
Crown Reduction
Crown reduction is the process of reducing the overall size of a tree’s canopy by shortening branches back to suitable growth points. Unlike topping (which damages the tree), crown reduction is carried out to British Standard BS3998, preserving the tree’s natural shape while reducing its height and spread.
It’s one of the most commonly requested tree surgery operations for residential gardens, where trees have outgrown their space, are blocking light, or are too close to a property. We also carry out crown reductions on commercial sites, along highways, and in public spaces.
You Might Need Crown Reduction If:
- Your tree is blocking light to your home or garden
- Branches are growing too close to your property or roof
- The tree has outgrown its space and looks disproportionate
- You need to reduce wind resistance (storm damage prevention)
- A neighbour has raised concerns about overhang
- Your insurance company has flagged a tree as a risk
- A council or planning condition requires a reduction
| Tree Size | Typical Scope | Guide Price |
|---|---|---|
| Small garden tree | Up to 6m, light reduction | From £350 |
| Medium tree | 6–12m, moderate reduction | POA |
Tree Surgery
Crown Thinning
Crown thinning is the selective removal of smaller branches from inside the canopy to reduce its density, without changing the tree’s overall size or shape. It lets more light and air through the crown and reduces the “sail effect” that makes a heavy canopy more vulnerable in high winds.
Unlike crown reduction, thinning doesn’t make the tree smaller. It makes it lighter and more open. It’s a common choice for mature garden trees that cast heavy shade, and is carried out to British Standard BS3998 so the tree keeps its natural form. As a guide, no more than around 30% of the crown is removed in a single visit.
You Might Need Crown Thinning If:
- Your garden or lawn is in deep shade for most of the day
- The canopy looks dense, heavy, or congested
- You want more light without losing the tree's height or shape
- You're concerned about wind resistance in storms
- The tree drops a lot of deadwood from a crowded crown
- A neighbour's light is being blocked by a dense canopy
| Tree Size | Typical Scope | Guide Price |
|---|---|---|
| Small garden tree | Up to 6m, light reduction | From £350 |
| Medium tree | 6–12m, moderate reduction | POA |
Tree Surgery
Crown Lifting
Crown lifting (also called crown raising) removes the lowest branches of a tree to raise the height of the canopy. It creates clearance underneath, over a path, driveway, lawn, or road and lets in light at ground level without touching the upper crown.
It’s one of the simplest ways to reclaim usable space under a tree, and a frequent request where a tree overhangs a parking space, footpath, or boundary. We keep lifting proportionate to BS3998 guidance so the tree stays balanced and healthy, rather than stripping the lower trunk bare.
You Might Need Crown Lifting If:
- Low branches are blocking a path, driveway, or pavement
- You can't mow or use the space beneath the tree
- Branches are scraping vehicles or catching on a roof
- The tree is blocking sightlines for a gate or entrance
- Low growth is shading borders or a patio
- A highway or access route needs statutory clearance
| Tree Size | Typical Scope | Guide Price |
|---|---|---|
| Small garden tree | Up to 6m, light reduction | From £350 |
| Medium tree | 6–12m, moderate reduction | POA |
Tree Surgery
Pollarding
Pollarding is a pruning method that cuts a tree’s branches back to the main stem or a set framework of “knuckles,” encouraging dense regrowth that’s then cut back on a regular cycle. It keeps large species at a manageable, predictable size and is a long-term commitment. Once a tree is pollarded, it needs re-pollarding every few years.
It works well for vigorous species like willow, lime, and London plane that would otherwise become far too large for a garden or street. Pollarding should only be started on suitable species at the right stage, so we’ll advise whether your tree is a good candidate before recommending it. For an established tree that’s never been pollarded, a crown reduction is often the better route.
You Might Need Pollarding If
- A large, fast-growing tree is outgrowing a small space
- You want to keep a tree at a fixed, manageable height long term
- The species naturally suits pollarding (willow, lime, plane)
- The tree was pollarded previously and is due its next cycle
- You want to control size near buildings, wires, or boundaries
- You're prepared to maintain it on a regular cycle
| Tree Size | Typical Scope | Guide Price |
|---|---|---|
| Established pollard (recut) | Cycle maintenance | From £750 |
| First pollard | Suitable species only | POA |
Tree Surgery
Deadwooding
Deadwooding is the removal of dead, dying, diseased, or broken branches from a tree’s crown. Dead limbs can drop without warning, a real risk over a garden, path, car, or neighbouring property. So removing them is one of the most important safety jobs we carry out on mature trees.
Because deadwooding only targets material that’s already dead or failing, it has almost no effect on a healthy tree’s growth or appearance. In fact it’s often invisible afterwards. Some standing deadwood has real wildlife value, so on larger trees we’ll discuss leaving safe habitat wood in place where it doesn’t pose a risk.
You Might Need Deadwooding If:
- You've spotted dead or bare branches in the canopy
- Branches have dropped, or you've found fallen limbs below
- A mature tree overhangs a path, seating area, or parking
- The tree has been stressed by drought, disease, or storms
- A survey or insurer has flagged dead limbs
- You want to reduce risk without altering the tree's shape
| Tree Size | Typical Scope | Guide Price |
|---|---|---|
| Small/medium tree | Routine deadwood removal | From £350 |
| Large mature tree | Full crown deadwooding | POA |
Tree Surgery
Emergency & Storm Damage Tree Work
When a tree comes down in a storm, splits, or is left hanging over your home, you need it dealt with fast and safely. Our team responds quickly to make trees and sites secure, clearing fallen trees, removing dangerous hanging limbs (“hangers”), and stabilising anything that’s part-failed but still standing.
A storm-damaged tree is unpredictable: limbs under tension can spring or drop without warning, which is exactly why this isn’t a job to attempt yourself. We make the immediate hazard safe first, then advise on whether the tree can be saved or needs removing once the urgency has passed.
You Might Need Emergency Tree Work If:
- A tree or large limb has fallen in high winds
- A branch is hanging, split, or resting on a roof or wires
- A tree is leaning suddenly or has lifted at the roots
- Storm damage is blocking a driveway, road, or access
- A tree has failed onto a fence, shed, or vehicle
- You're worried a damaged tree could come down next
For urgent tree work, call us now on 01242 472560 - our team responds quickly to storm damage and dangerous trees.
| Tree Size | Typical Scope | Guide Price |
|---|---|---|
| Make-safe callout | Hazard secured | POA |
| Storm clearance | Fallen tree removed | POA |
Tree Surgery
Tree Bracing & Support (Cobra Bracing)
Bracing installs a flexible support system high in the canopy to reduce the risk of a weak union or heavy limb failing. The most common method, Cobra bracing, uses a hollow-braid rope brace between stems that allows the tree to keep moving and strengthening naturally, while limiting how far a weak point can fail.
It’s a way to keep a valued, otherwise healthy tree rather than removing it. Particularly useful for trees with co-dominant stems or included bark (two main stems growing tightly together, a known failure point). We’ll assess the tree first and recommend bracing only where it’s genuinely the right solution, often alongside a crown reduction to lighten the load.
You Might Need Tree Bracing If:
- Your tree has two or more main stems splitting from a tight fork
- A crack or weak union has been spotted in the canopy
- You want to retain a mature or sentimental tree safely
- A heavy lateral limb is at risk of tearing out
- A tree survey has recommended structural support
- The tree has value you'd rather not lose to removal
| Tree Size | Typical Scope | Guide Price |
|---|---|---|
| Single brace install | Assessment + fitting | POA |
| Multi-brace system | Larger/complex tree | POA |
How it works
Step One
The Quote
Free, no-obligation and usually within the week. We come and look — no guessing over the phone.
Step Two
Survey & Plan
Qualified assessment, method statement and any TPO or BS5837 checks before a saw is started.
Step Three
On The Tools
Accredited crews, the right kit for the job, and your site kept safe and tidy throughout.
Step Four
Cleared & Signed Off
Chipped, cleared, photographed and certified. You get the paperwork, not just a tidy garden.
Good Questions
Frequently asked.
How much does tree surgery cost?
Tree surgery in the UK typically starts from £350, depending on the size of the tree and the complexity of the work. A light crown reduction on a small garden tree usually starts from a few hundred pounds, while the full sectional removal of a large mature tree, or work on a tree with restricted access, costs more. Silver Tree Services provides free, no-obligation written quotes for all tree work across Gloucestershire and surrounding areas. Every quote starts with a site visit, and what we quote is what you pay.
Do I need permission to have a tree removed or pruned?
You may need permission. In England, you must get written consent from your local planning authority before carrying out any work on a tree protected by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO), and you must give six weeks’ notice before working on a tree in a Conservation Area. Working on a protected tree without consent is a criminal offence with fines of up to £20,000 per tree. Silver Tree Services checks every tree for TPO and Conservation Area status as part of your free quote, and we can advise on or handle the application for you before any work begins.
What's the difference between crown reduction, crown thinning, and crown lifting?
These are three different tree surgery operations that are often confused. Crown reduction cuts the outer canopy back to suitable growth points to make the whole tree smaller; crown thinning selectively removes internal branches to let more light and air through without changing the tree’s size; and crown lifting removes the lowest branches to raise the canopy and create clearance underneath. The tree surgeons at Silver Tree Services carry out all three to British Standard BS3998:2010, and will recommend which suits your tree’s species, age, and the result you’re after.
Are your tree surgeons qualified and insured?
Yes. Every arborist at Silver Tree Services holds the NPTC qualifications required by law for chainsaw and aerial tree work (including CS30, CS38, and CS39), and all work is carried out to British Standard BS3998:2010. The company is an Arboricultural Association ARB Approved Contractor and holds both ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certification, with full public liability and employers’ liability insurance. We’re happy to provide certificates and method statements (RAMS) on request for any job.
How do I know if my tree is dangerous?
Warning signs that a tree may be unsafe include dead or hanging branches, large cracks or splits in the trunk or main limbs, fungal growth at the base, a sudden lean, or soil lifting around the roots. Storm-damaged trees are especially unpredictable, as limbs under tension can fail without warning, so they shouldn’t be tackled without professional equipment. If you’re concerned about a tree, Silver Tree Services can carry out a site visit anywhere in Gloucestershire and surrounding areas, and advise whether the tree needs making safe, pruning, or removing.
When is the best time of year to have tree work done?
Most tree surgery can be carried out safely all year round, but winter (roughly November to February) is often ideal because the leaves are down, the tree’s structure is clearly visible, and many species are dormant. The main exception is bird nesting season, from 1 March to 31 August, when active nests are legally protected and work may need to be timed around them. Silver Tree Services works year-round across Gloucestershire and surrounding areas, and will advise on the best timing for your particular tree and the work involved.
Do you offer emergency tree work after a storm?
Yes. Silver Tree Services responds quickly to emergency and storm damage tree work across Gloucestershire and surrounding areas, including fallen trees, dangerous hanging limbs, and trees that have failed onto roofs, fences, or vehicles. Our NPTC-qualified team makes the immediate hazard safe first, then advises on whether the tree can be saved or needs removing once the urgency has passed. For urgent tree work, call us now on 01242 472560.
What areas do you cover for tree surgery?
Silver Tree Services is based in Shurdington, Cheltenham, and covers the whole of Gloucestershire, including Cheltenham, Gloucester, Stroud, Tewkesbury, Cirencester, and the Cotswold towns such as Bourton-on-the-Water and Stow-on-the-Wold. We also work across the surrounding counties of Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Warwickshire, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, Somerset, and Berkshire, and in cities including Bristol, Bath, and Swindon. For commercial tree work we operate nationwide. If you’re unsure whether we cover your location, get in touch and we’ll let you know.
What happens to the wood and waste after the work?
All the wood and arisings from your tree work are removed and recycled as standard, included in your quote unless you ask to keep the logs or woodchip. As an ISO 14001 certified company, Silver Tree Services operates a closed-loop approach to arboricultural waste, processing material into firewood, woodchip, and compost rather than sending it to landfill. If you’d like the logs left for your own use, just let our team know when we visit.
Areas we cover
Tree Surgery across Gloucestershire, including Cheltenham, Gloucester, Stroud, Tewkesbury, Cirencester, and the Cotswolds, with commercial work across Bristol, Bath, Swindon, and surrounding counties. With Commercial contracts Nationwide.
Ready When You Are
Got a tree on your mind?
From a quick crown reduction to a tree that’s worrying you, book a free site visit and we’ll quote it honestly, usually within the week.
Or call · 01242 472560