Tree climber with a saw cutting a trunk beside timber fences, a shed and an artificial lawn — Climber cutting the trunk down in stages beside fences and a garden shed

Tall bare tree and a large conifer behind fences, seen from a parking area beside a brick house — The bare crown seen from the parking area, next to a tall conifer

Climber high on a bare tree trunk against a clear blue sky, with other branches around — Looking up the trunk as the climber works near the top

This project shows a tall deciduous tree being removed from a West Midlands garden. The trunk stood close to timber fences and a garden shed, so it could not simply be pushed over. Our climber worked from the top down, cutting the tree apart piece by piece and keeping everything under control. The photos were taken while the job was under way, in clear winter-style light with the branches bare.

Why this tree came down in pieces

When a tree stands among fences, outbuildings and neighbouring gardens, there is rarely room to drop it whole. Sectional felling is the usual answer. The climber is roped into the tree, removes the upper limbs first, then takes the trunk down in short lengths that are lowered or guided to the ground. It is slower than a single cut, but nothing swings into a fence or roof.

What the photos show

The first photo shows the climber standing against a thick stump of trunk with a saw, above a raised border and a neat artificial lawn. The second looks along the boundary from a parking area, where the bare crown rises beside a tall conifer. The third looks straight up the pole as the top is reduced. Before any felling, it is worth asking the council whether the tree has a protection order or sits in a conservation area.