This Smethwick job involved a very tall, leafless tree that had to be dealt with from the top down. The photo catches one of our climbers high in the crown, roped in and cutting a stem with a chainsaw, with nothing but blue sky behind. Lower down in the garden, several freshly cut stems stand near ground level, so the work had clearly already begun when the picture was taken.
How tall trees like this are tackled
A tree of this height is not something you can safely cut from the ground. The climber ascends on ropes, anchors in, and takes the crown apart in controlled sections, working from the highest growth downwards. Winter is a practical time for it, because without leaves the structure of the branches is easy to read. Before any cutting we would always check with the council whether a Tree Preservation Order or conservation area applies.
What the photo shows and what to plan for
The picture shows work in progress, not the finished result. The climber is near the top of a tall, multi-stemmed tree, and the cut stumps lower down suggest other trees nearby were already reduced. Houses in the distance are a reminder that gardens in built-up areas leave little room for error, so access, neighbours and a clear drop zone all need planning. Timber and brash are normally cleared away at the end.
