Climber in orange working near the top of a tall conifer with the upper stem already cut away — Climber high in the crown of the tall conifer, with the top already cut away

Tall bare conifer trunk above cut logs and branches with period houses behind — Lower trunk standing above cut rounds and piled branches beside the road

Climber standing in the dense crown of a large conifer beside a black metal gate — Climber working in the full crown of the conifer near a driveway gate

Fallen conifer branches on a tarmac drive below the partly dismantled tree — Cut branches lying across the drive beneath the partly dismantled tree

Climber among cut stubs at the top of a conifer being taken down in sections — Climber near the top as the crown is reduced to bare stubs and a leader

Large conifer trunk with a notch cut near the base and a chainsaw resting on sawdust — Heavy trunk section with a felling notch cut, a chainsaw resting on the stump

Night view of a low conifer stump and cleared ground beside traffic lights at a junction — Cleared ground at night with the low stump left beside the junction

This was a big job for a tight spot. A very tall conifer stood close to traffic lights, a driveway gate and neighbouring buildings, so it could not simply be dropped. The photos show a climber working through the crown, the trunk shortened in stages, the huge stump and the cleared ground at night after the work.

Taking the tree down in sections

Where there is no room to fell a tree whole, the usual method is to climb it, tie in, and remove branches and then the trunk in pieces, lowering or controlling each piece on the way down. The photos show this: a climber in orange among the upper branches, cut stubs on the leader, and a much shorter bare trunk later on. The cut timber and brash sit piled around the base.

Working beside a road

With a junction, pavement and gateway all within reach of the falling work, the area around the tree matters as much as the tree itself. Plan for space to stack timber and branches, and for keeping people and vehicles clear. Always check with the council about protection orders or a conservation area first. Stumps can be left low or ground out later by arrangement.