Crown Reduction Is Not the Same as Topping a Tree
A crown reduction is selective and careful. Topping is not. Topping means cutting straight through the main branches or the top of the tree, which harms it and leaves it looking butchered.
We make your tree smaller and safer while keeping its natural shape. Done properly to protect its health, never topped or butchered.
Just mention it when you request your free quote. Available on qualifying work.
A crown reduction makes a tree smaller by carefully shortening its branches back to healthy growth points, while keeping its natural shape. It lowers the height and the spread of the tree without changing what it looks like.
People ask for a reduction when a tree has grown too big for its space. It lets more light into your garden, takes the weight off long or heavy branches, and keeps the tree clear of your house, roof, or fence. A well-reduced tree is safer in strong winds, too.
It is one type of tree work under the wider heading of general tree pruning. Where a reduction is the right answer, we do it with care and never take off more than the tree can handle.
Before
After
A crown reduction is selective and careful. Topping is not. Topping means cutting straight through the main branches or the top of the tree, which harms it and leaves it looking butchered.
A good reduction is measured, not drastic. As a rule, we take off no more than about 20 to 30% of the crown at any one time, which keeps the tree healthy and able to recover.
If a tree needs more than that, the safe way is to reduce it in stages over a couple of years, rather than all at once. This gives the tree time to recover between visits. Our work follows British Standard BS3998, the recognised guide for tree work in the UK.
This is why honest advice matters. A tree that is cut back too hard never really recovers, so we tell you what your tree can take and stick to it.
Tree too large, heavy or close to the house? We will assess it properly, explain what can be safely reduced, and give you a clear quote.
A crown reduction is the right choice when a tree has simply got too big for where it sits. It also helps when branches are long, heavy, or hanging over a roof, or when you want more light in the garden.
Useful when the crown is too large for the garden, boundary, roofline, fence, or nearby buildings.
A measured reduction can take weight out of the crown and make the tree safer without spoiling its shape.
Reducing the crown can open up the garden while keeping the tree looking natural and balanced.
The cost depends on your tree, so we give you a fixed price once we have seen it. A small tree in an open garden is a quick job. A tall, mature tree near a house takes longer and needs more care and rigging.
Taller, mature trees take longer to work on, especially when they are close to a house or need careful rigging.
The amount being reduced affects the time, method and care needed, especially when the tree must keep its natural shape.
Access makes a difference. Trees near roofs, fences, buildings or tight spaces usually need more careful work.
Taking away and recycling the branches is part of the job, and we include that in your quote.
Tell us a little about your tree and we will give you a free quote.
EXCELLENT Based on 77 reviews Posted on Google Pauline DunnTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. This is the second time I have used this company. First was to completely remove a conifer tree , and yesterday , to trim back some willow trees at the back of the garden. From start to finish this company was excellent. From coming out to quote and then when they came out to actually do the job. They arrived at agreed time . We're excellent at keeping everywhere clean and tidy .Everything had to go through my kitchen as there is no access through my garden, also the trees were actually on school premises with a large , high wire fence so that made it extremely difficult for the team . Extremely happy with all the did .I would definitely use this company again .Posted on Google First PlaceTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Darren and the Treescapes team have been fantastic. On time and did an excellent job. They took off 25% off some of the bigger trees and did away with a lot of the dead wood. I can highly recommend to anyone in Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire area looking for tree surgery.Posted on Google Jake MillerTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Really great work, used a couple of times now and will continue to do so!Posted on Google Abigail TullTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Definitely recommend Darren and his team. Communication was great, popped over to give a very competitive quote and came the next week to trim the trees. Lovely job, they look great, thank you!Posted on Google simon mattickTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We are delighted that we booked Darren and his team to do some work for us. From my initial call to him, the service we received was friendly, helpful - giving us advise from his 30 plus years of experience - and also every professional. In addition, having made an initial site visit, Darren was able to book us in for a few hours of work a couple of days later. The work included pruning some trees and some bushes, taking out and replacing some other bushes/plants with multi purpose compost added, edging the front beds and laying bark chippings on them, plus applying a top dressing to the bed in the rear garden. They cleared up all the waste and took it away, too. All at what we considered to be a reasonable price. Darren was also flexible and agreed to prune a couple of trees and a bush in our neighbours garden. They were also very pleased with the work undertaken. In summary, we can thorougly recommend Treescapes Garden Services and they will have repeat business from ourselves and our neighbours in due course.Posted on Google Davina FrameTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Darren and team were recommended to me. They do an excellent, professional job for a fair price and I will continue to use treescapes garden service. Highly recommendPosted on Google Hester SonanderTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. What a pleasure to see Darren and the team in our garden every time! They were prepared to work together with us to create a garden exactly like we were hoping for. We are left, after every job, with a feeling of real satisfaction and have never felt exploited. They are reliable, always well prepared and do high quality work. We can only describe them as the very best.Posted on Google Jessica MouldenTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. An absolutely fantastic service from start to finish. Darren and his team were polite and friendly. He talked me through everything so we had a clear understanding of what was to be achieved and some tips on maintaining my garden. Highly efficient and impeccably tidy. Would not hesitate to recommend!Posted on Google Stephanie AllenTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Cut back overgrown tree from neighbours garden for me. Cleaned up branches in my garden. Good team of men. Recommend them to anyone.Posted on Google Andrew RayattTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great price, came on the day arranged and finished what we discussed. Highly recommend his services 👍Verified by TrustindexTrustindex verified badge is the Universal Symbol of Trust. Only the greatest companies can get the verified badge who has a review score above 4.5, based on customer reviews over the past 12 months. Read more
Our Process
You get in touch by phone or through our form, and we arrange a visit at a time that suits you. We look at your tree and talk through what it needs.
We send you a fixed, written price with no obligation. There is nothing to pay and no pressure to go ahead.
Once you are happy, we book a date and reduce your tree safely, cutting back to growth points to keep its shape. Our team is qualified and fully insured.
We clear away every branch and leave your garden tidy. 99% of the waste we collect is recycled.
Some trees are protected and need written permission from the council before any work can start. A tree with a Tree Preservation Order, or any tree in a conservation area, is covered by this.
We check whether your tree is protected before we quote, so you know where you stand before any crown reduction work is agreed.
If permission is needed, we guide you through it so the work is handled properly before anything starts.
We work across North Hertfordshire Council and Central Bedfordshire Council areas and understand the local process.
We check before we cut, so protected trees are handled carefully, legally, and with the right advice from the start.
We cover Hitchin and the towns and villages within about 20 miles, working across North Hertfordshire and Central Bedfordshire. That includes tree work in Hitchin, jobs across the Letchworth area, and visits to Ickleford, Stotfold, and Shillington and nearby villages. If you are not sure whether we reach you, just ask.
Not sure if we reach you? Just ask. There is a good chance we do.
Treescapes Garden Services
177A Station Rd, Lower Stondon, Henlow SG16 6JE
5.0 from 75+ Google reviews
Common Questions
Straight answers about safety, regrowth, timing, timescales and what a proper crown reduction involves.
07778 639748No, a proper crown reduction is good for a tree when it is done correctly. We cut back to healthy growth points, which lets the tree heal and keep its shape. Harm comes from topping or cutting too hard, which is something we never do.
We usually reduce a tree by around 20 to 30% at a time, which makes a clear difference while keeping it healthy. For a bigger change, we reduce the tree in stages over a couple of years. We will show you what to expect before we start.
Yes, the tree will keep growing, which is normal and healthy. A good reduction lasts a few years before the tree may need another light reduction. Topping, by contrast, causes fast, weak regrowth, which is one reason we never do it.
Most trees are best reduced in late autumn or winter, while they are dormant. Some trees are better in summer, and light work can be done at most times of year. We will tell you the best time for your particular tree.
Most garden crown reductions are finished in a day. A large or tall tree, or several trees together, can take longer. We give you a clear timescale with your quote.
Yes, our team is fully insured, with public liability and employers liability cover. We are also NPTC and Lantra qualified, so your tree and your property are in safe hands.
Once you send your enquiry about a crown reduction, here is exactly what to expect.
We reply to your enquiry quickly, usually within 24 hours.
We pop over at a time that suits you to look at the job, or quote from your photos where we can.
You receive a clear, no-obligation quote and come back to us if and when you want the job done.
Treescapes Garden Services
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