Tall leafy tree behind a garden fence with climbing kit and chainsaws laid on the lawn — Large leafy tree with climbing kit and cut branches on the lawn

Tree surgeon on a partly cut trunk above a fence with conifers behind — Climber standing on the cut trunk, with the upper limbs already removed

Tree surgeon in a helmet cutting a trunk down in sections above a garden fence — Climber cutting the trunk down in sections beside the garden fence

Sawdust and cut sections of wood piled against an ivy-covered brick wall — Sawdust and cut sections at the base of an ivy-covered brick wall

This project in Shirley started with a tall, leafy tree growing right at the back of a garden, against a fence and a brick wall. With the tree so close to the boundary, we took it down from the top in stages rather than dropping it in one go. The photos follow the work as it progressed, from the kit laid out on the lawn to the sawdust at the base.

Why it came down in pieces

When a tree stands this close to a fence, a wall and a neighbouring garden, it cannot simply be pushed over. The climber goes up with a rope and a saw, removes the upper limbs, then cuts the trunk down in lengths, each one controlled on its way to the ground. It is slower than a straight felling, but it keeps fences, planting and the neighbours' side of the boundary safe.

Before any cutting starts, it is worth asking the council whether the tree is covered by a protection order or stands in a conservation area. Nesting birds are another thing to check for in spring and summer, because active nests need to be left alone until the young have gone.

What you can see in the photos

The first photo shows the full-sized tree with ladders, chainsaws, ropes and a harness laid out on the lawn. The next two show the climber on the trunk at different heights, with the top already removed. The last photo shows the foot of the work: sawdust and cut sections piled against an ivy-covered brick wall. Clearing all of that is part of finishing the job properly.