Crown Reductions and Selective Reductions

A crown reduction can be a suitable management option in certain situations, with the objective of reducing the overall crown spread or selected portions of the canopy.  Crown reductions are not only for aesthetic purposes but can also be required to keep a tree in a healthy and stable condition or to remove any conflict with buildings or garden structures.

Tree species will have a bearing on the suitability of a Crown Reduction and may be combined with other management options such as Crown Thinning and/or Crown Lifting.

With Nicholsons, the process will begin with an on-site consultation, during which our arboriculturist will inspect and advise on the appropriate management, with proper consideration of your requirements. We will always check for any site protections including Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) and Conservation Areas, arranging local authority approval on your behalf as required.

Work is undertaken by our experienced, fully NPTC qualified team of Arboriculture experts, offering a friendly and professional service tailored to your requirements.

Crown Thinning

Crown Thinning can be a suitable management option in certain situations, the objective being to reduce crown density, improving indirect light levels surrounding a tree.  A Crown Thinning may be recommended in combination with other management options such as Crown Reductions and/or Crown Lifting.

With Nicholsons, the process will begin with an on-site consultation, during which our arboriculturist will inspect and advise on the appropriate management options, with proper consideration of your requirements. We will always check for any site protections including Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) and Conservation Areas, arranging local authority approval on your behalf as required. Managing your trees does not need to be a worry.

Work is undertaken by our experienced, fully NPTC qualified team of Arboriculture experts, offering a friendly and professional service tailored to your requirements. For tree surgery service, please email the team

Crown Lifting

The Highways Act 1980 legislates the requirement to ensure roads and footpaths are clear of obstruction from trees. This can be achieved by removing the lower branches using suitable pruning techniques. Crown Lifting may be a management option in other situations and possibly used in combination with other options such as Crown Reductions and/or Crown Thinning.

With Nicholsons the process will begin with an on-site consultation, during which our arboriculturist will inspect and advise on the appropriate management options, with proper consideration of your requirements. We will always check for any site protections including Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) and Conservation Areas, arranging local authority approval on your behalf as required.

Work is undertaken by our experienced, fully NPTC qualified team of Arboriculture experts, offering a friendly and professional service tailored to your requirements.

Dead Wood Removal

Dead wood can be an indication of decline, however, some species are prone to dead wood formation when reaching maturity, posing no long-term health concerns. Dead wood can be of great ecological value and should be retained where possible but, where it poses a risk to health and safety, it should be removed.

Significant dead wood removal is included when undertaking management options such as Crown Thinning and Crown Reductions.

The process will begin with an on-site consultation, during which our arboriculturist will advise on appropriate management with proper consideration of your requirements. Dead Wood is not subject to any protection, but we will always check for any site protections including Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) and Conservation Areas if any pruning of live branches is to be undertaken at the same time, arranging local authority approval on your behalf as required.

Work is undertaken by our experienced, fully NPTC qualified team of Arboriculture experts, offering a friendly and professional service tailored to your requirements.

Tree Pollarding

Tree Pollarding is the practice of heavily pruning branches back into the main woody structure, in order to promote fresh young growth at the pollard points.  Some species are not suitable for the practice of pollarding and should ideally be established on trees in early maturity. Whilst not typically undertaken today for the demands of fodder and wood, the process is still encouraged for reasons of landscaping, biodiversity, and stabilising of riverbanks – along which many willow pollards are found today. Re-pollarding should be carried out on a cyclical basis once established, the frequency of which will be dependent on specific management objectives.

With Nicholsons the process will begin with an on-site consultation, during which our arboriculturist will inspect and advise on the appropriate management, with proper consideration of your requirements. We will always check for any site protections including Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) and Conservation Areas, arranging local authority approval on your behalf as required.

Work is undertaken by our experienced, fully NPTC qualified team of Arboriculture experts, offering a friendly and professional service tailored to your requirements.

Cable Bracing and Tree Propping

Nicholsons can advise on the suitability of installing a restraints system to provide additional support and prevent the probability of failure for trees with one or more structurally weak elements.  There are several support techniques available including:

Dynamic Bracing Systems – a flexible brace, allowing a degree of movement and adaptive growth to form as the tree moves in the wind, while preventing overloading.

Static Bracing – a rigid system, providing direct support of a weak structure.

Tree Propping – props can be used as an alternative to branch removal or felling of leaning trees at risk of wind-throw.

Cable Bracing and Propping can complement management options such as Crown Reductions and Selective Reductions when appropriate.

With Nicholsons, the process will begin with an on-site consultation, during which our arboriculturist will inspect and advise on the appropriate management, with proper consideration of your requirements. We will always check for any site protections including Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) and Conservation Areas, arranging local authority approval on your behalf as required. Managing your trees does not need to be a worry.

Work is undertaken by our experienced, fully NPTC qualified team of Arboriculture experts, offering a friendly and professional service tailored to your requirements.

Stump Grinding

Stump Grinding often provides the best solution following Tree Felling when re-planting or to prevent re-growth.  In some instances, a stump may not require removal if the particular species is not capable of re-generating growth or can be killed with systemic herbicide.

The process will begin with an on-site consultation, during which our arboriculturist will examine any stumps, and will advise on any limitations and levels of soil disturbance.  The area will be inspected to ensure the work can be undertaken safely, and some initial survey work may be required to locate any underground services and pipes which may limit the operation.

Work is undertaken by our experienced, fully NPTC qualified team of Arboriculture experts, offering a friendly and professional service tailored to your requirements.