Tall pine tree with ivy on its trunk and a worker in high-visibility clothing partway up, over a garden — A crew member working near the top of a tall ivy-covered pine, with cut branches below.

This photo was taken partway through a felling job in an Oldbury back garden. A tall pine, its trunk covered in ivy, still stands above the garden, while one of our crew works near the upper part. Below, a large heap of cut branches already covers much of the lawn, and a light dusting of frost is visible.

A job caught in progress

The tree is clearly being taken down from the top, with the crown still intact and the lower trunk and ivy waiting to be cut. The garden is full: a timber arbour on the right, a swing frame and sheds at the back, and neighbouring trees all around. A tree of this height, with so many things nearby, could not be felled in one piece.

How a pine this size comes down

The normal method is to cut the tree in sections from the top, lowering the pieces or placing them so they miss everything below. Branches are cut up and the timber logged, then everything is taken away. Check with the council about a Tree Preservation Order or conservation area before work, and think about where the stump should be left or ground out.