Home › Services › Crown reduction

Crown reduction

Crown reduction makes a tree smaller in height and spread without taking it down. Done well, the tree still looks natural afterwards.

A tree climber in a helmet working on a rope in the crown of an oak
Photo: Zack Masters on Unsplash

Firms that do crown reduction, by town

Services are as each firm describes them on its own website. 24/7 firms are listed first; the order isn't a ranking.

What a crown reduction involves

The tree surgeon shortens branches back to suitable side branches all round the canopy, reducing the overall height and width while keeping the tree's shape. The British Standard for tree work, BS3998, recommends cutting back to suitable branch junctions and not removing more live growth than the tree can cope with. That keeps the tree healthy and stops it throwing out a mass of weak regrowth.

When it's the right choice

  • A tree has outgrown its space and is too close to the house.
  • Branches overhang a neighbour's garden, a road or a roof.
  • A protected tree needs managing but can't be removed. Councils often prefer a reduction to felling, though each application is judged on the tree.
  • You want more light in the garden but want to keep the tree.

What it isn't

"Topping", which means cutting a tree off flat at a set height, isn't crown reduction. It leaves large wounds, causes weak regrowth and can kill some species. If a quote describes cutting the whole top off, ask exactly how the work will be done. For other kinds of crown work, see tree pruning.

Questions

How much can a tree be reduced?

It depends on the species, age and health of the tree. A qualified tree surgeon will recommend only as much as the tree can tolerate, usually spread over more than one visit for older trees.

When is the best time for a crown reduction?

Late autumn to late winter suits most species and avoids the main bird nesting season. Plums and cherries are pruned in spring or mid-summer to avoid silver leaf disease, and birch and walnut bleed sap if cut at the wrong time, so ask your tree surgeon.

Is crown reduction the same as topping?

No. Crown reduction cuts branches back to suitable side branches so the tree keeps its shape. Topping cuts the tree off flat at a set height, which causes weak regrowth and decay and can kill some species.

Do I need permission to reduce a protected tree?

Yes. A TPO tree needs council consent, and a tree in a conservation area needs six weeks' notice. Councils often prefer a reduction to felling, but each application is judged on its merits.

How to choose a tree surgeon

  • Insurance: ask to see a public liability certificate (the Arboricultural Association recommends at least £5m), and employers' liability, which is a legal requirement if they have staff.
  • Qualifications: chainsaw and climbing work should be done by people holding NPTC (City & Guilds) or Lantra certificates. Arboricultural Association Approved Contractor status is a stronger check.
  • A written quote: it should say exactly what will be cut, whether the stump is ground out, and whether waste and logs are taken away.
  • Standards: ask whether the work will follow BS 3998, the British Standard for tree work.
  • Protected trees: a good firm will check for a TPO or conservation area and can make the application. See our TPO guide.

Listings show what each firm says it offers. We don't check insurance or qualifications, so ask for proof before you hire. How we list firms.