Why climbing isn't always suitable
Most trees are worked by a climber with ropes and a harness. Climbing becomes the wrong choice when the tree is dead, brittle or hollow, when the structure may not support a climber, when limbs hang over glass, roofs or railway and utility lines, or when the work is simply too high and heavy to do safely by hand. Sometimes the machine, not the climber, is the safer option.
The main options
- Cherry picker or MEWP
- A truck- or trailer-mounted mobile elevating work platform lifts the operator in a cage. The HSE says MEWPs can provide safe and quick access to trees and a secure working platform, and lists tree work in urban areas among the suitable uses. The firm will need firm, reasonably level ground next to the tree.
- Tracked spider lift
- A compact tracked platform that can pass through side gates and cross lawns on spreader feet. Useful for back gardens with no vehicle access.
- Crane-assisted removal
- A mobile crane lifts sections of a large tree over a house, glasshouse or other obstacle, so they are not dropped or lowered by rope. Used for big trees close to buildings, over water or where nothing can fall on the ground below.
Which is used depends on tree size and condition, site access, ground bearing and what is underneath. A reasonable firm will visit and explain why the choice was made.
Inspections and safety
Equipment that lifts people is covered by the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER). The HSE says equipment used to lift people must be thoroughly examined at six-monthly intervals, or under an examination scheme, and that lifting should be planned through risk assessment. It's reasonable to ask a firm for its current thorough examination report for any platform or crane used to lift people on your property, and who will plan and supervise the lift.
Roads, pavements and permits
Large jobs often need a lorry, crane or platform on the road. Depending on the road, the firm may need traffic management, a temporary road closure or a permit from the highway authority, which in Worcestershire is Worcestershire County Council for most roads. Temporary road closures are made under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and advertised by the council, usually with advance notice, so allow lead time. The council's streetworks team is the contact for the current process and any fees, and the firm normally arranges it and builds it into the quote, so ask who is responsible.
Crane or platform work close to a neighbour's property also needs agreement, because booms, outriggers and stabilisers can take up space. Check access with neighbours in advance.
Why it costs more
- Hire or operation of the machine, its operator and often a banksman.
- A site visit to check ground, access and overhead hazards.
- Road signs, cones, closures and any permit fees.
- Ground protection to cover lawns, drives or drains.
The saving can be real, though: a crane can sometimes cut the time on site and the risk of damage.
What to ask a firm
- Why was this equipment chosen over climbing, and what are the alternatives?
- Who is responsible for any road closure, permit or neighbour agreement?
- Can they show current examination reports and operator training for the machine?
- How will lawns, drives and drains be protected from the machine's weight?
Before the work
If the tree has a Preservation Order or stands in a conservation area, you must still get consent or give notice first. See our TPO and conservation area guide. Wildlife rules apply too: it is an offence to damage a wild bird's nest in use, and bat roosts are protected all year, see GOV.UK guidance on bats. For the underlying removal methods, read our tree felling and dismantling guide. Where lines are overhead, see tree work near power lines.