Large rounded broadleaf tree with a ladder leaning on it and a worker in hi-vis beside a yellow shrub — Large leafy tree behind the house, with a ladder against the trunk and a worker below

Brick-edged garden path between tall hedges, with cut green foliage and a worker at the far end near a decked seating area — Path and hedges strewn with cut foliage while a worker cuts at the far end

Climber on a rope high in a leafy tree above a garden arch, with cut branches lying on the ground below — Climber high in the tree on a rope, with cut sections lying in the garden

This Handsworth job centred on a big, leafy tree behind a house, in a garden full of planting. The photos show the tree before work began, a path strewn with cut foliage, and a climber working in the canopy, so it covers the stages of the job rather than the finish.

Working in a tree above a planted garden

When a large tree stands over borders, a washing line and garden furniture, the cutting has to be planned around what is below. In the third photo a climber works high in the tree on a rope, with cut sections of branch already lying in the garden. Pieces are lowered or placed rather than dropped, to spare the planting. This keeps the work controlled.

The second photo shows foliage lying along the path while a worker stands further down the garden near the back fence. Cut growth builds up quickly in a garden this planted, so it is cleared as the work goes on instead of being left until the end. A tidy path also keeps the route out of the garden clear.

Access, neighbours and what to check

A ladder is leaned against the trunk in the first photo, with the tree standing close to a house wall and neighbouring gardens. That tells you the working space is limited, so the order of cuts matters, and the garden has to be left safe at every stage of the job.

Before any tree surgery, check whether the tree has a Tree Preservation Order or sits in a conservation area, and look for nesting birds in spring and summer. When the work is done we take the timber and green waste away and leave the garden tidy. Ask us if you are unsure.