Mature bare oak tree rising behind a close-board fence and low brick wall in a paved yard — Tall oak behind a fenced, brick-walled yard before any work started

Bare garden tree in a narrow lawn with a climber standing on the brick wall beside it — Slim bare tree in a narrow lawned garden with a climber at the wall

Tree climber in a harness cutting near the top of an oak trunk beside a brick house — Climber high on the oak trunk, working down with ropes in place

Partly reduced oak with fresh cut stubs, a garden gate and an orange wheelbarrow in the yard — Oak partly reduced, with cut stubs visible and a wheelbarrow waiting below

Garden corner with a low tree stump among slate chippings, patio chairs and a covered barbecue — Tree gone, with a low stump left among slate chippings beside the seating

This project brings together photos from two Stourbridge gardens where trees stood close to boundaries and buildings. One is a large, spreading oak behind a tall fence, the other a slimmer tree in a narrow lawned garden with brick walls on both sides. Both jobs called for careful, controlled work from a climber rather than anything that could drop onto walls, fences or neighbours.

A large oak in a walled yard

The first set of photos shows a mature oak rising from behind a green-stained close-board fence and a low brick wall, with a paved yard in front. In the later photos a climber is working up the trunk on ropes, and fresh cut stubs show where sections have already come off. Fences, a gate and neighbouring roofs sit close, so each piece is cut, controlled on a rope and lowered. Ask the council whether the tree is protected before any cutting starts.

A bare tree beside a garden seating area

The second garden is long and narrow, with a lawn, a small seating area and high brick walls. The tree stands at the end of the lawn, and one photo shows our climber up in the crown beside the wall. By the final photo the tree has gone and only a low stump remains among slate chippings, with the furniture and lawn left as they were. Tell us about gates, side passages and anything fragile so we can plan around them.