Shirley is known for long back gardens on inter-war and later family homes, and long gardens collect trees. Over time the lowest branches of those trees reach across the lawn, over the shed roof and down towards the fence, so that much of the garden ends up shaded or awkward to use. A crown lift gives that space back.
We remove the low limbs, keep the upper canopy in shape and leave clean cuts that the tree can seal over. It suits oak, birch, fruit trees and many conifers, and we will tell you if a particular tree is better left alone.
When a garden runs a long way back from the house, the tree at the far end is often forgotten until it is huge. Lower branches then sweep across the lawn and block the view from the kitchen window. Lifting the crown opens up the line of sight and lets sunlight reach the grass and borders under it. Brambles and weak grass under the tree tend to improve once the light returns.
Usually we are working a long way from the road, so we plan the route and the equipment carefully. Cut branches are carried or dragged the full length of the garden, with sheets down where plants need protecting. We would rather take a little longer than damage a lawn that someone has looked after for a long time. Please tell us about any pond, greenhouse or veg beds so we avoid them.
Many Shirley gardens have conifers or hedges along the boundary for privacy. When those conifers grow tall, their lower branches go brown and bare, or lean across next door. Lifting can tidy them, but only where green growth remains above, because most conifers will not shoot again from bare wood. We would rather give you the truth about a conifer than cut it and leave a gap.
We assess each one carefully. Where a lift is sensible, we remove the lowest branches and leave the crown full. Where a conifer is too bare to lift safely, we say so and talk through options. Whichever it is, a short chat about boundary ownership beforehand keeps relations with the neighbours friendly and avoids needless disputes. We take the same careful view on laurel and other hedging that has grown into trees.
We carry out crown lifting in Shirley and across the neighbouring areas, including Hall Green, Solihull, Monkspath and Dorridge. If you can send a photo or a short description of the tree and what it is touching, we can say what a lift would involve and whether any council checks are needed before cutting. We can usually give you a sense of what is involved from the photo alone.
Based in Hall Green, so we are never far from the gardens we work in.
We look at the job before we price it, so you know what is involved.
Branches, clippings and rubbish from our jobs are cleared and the garden left tidy.
Call, or send photos on WhatsApp, and we will come back to you.
Crown LiftingA tall golden conifer in a Hall Green back garden, with its bare trunk showing beneath the canopy above the fence.
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Tree SurgeryA tall silver birch beside a garden fence in Shirley, photographed before the work and again as the crown came down.
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Tree FellingA tree beside the back fence of a semi-detached garden taken down, leaving a low stump and a tidy lawn.
View project →From our base in Hall Green we work across Birmingham, the Black Country, Solihull and parts of Worcestershire. Choose your area.
It usually helps, because more daylight reaches the ground. Grass under dense trees also competes for water and nutrients, so a lift will not turn the area into a perfect lawn, but it does give grass and plants a better chance.
Yes. We carry hand tools and ropes, and we can work from the top of a tree or from the ground. Branches are carried to the access point, and we protect lawns and borders along the route. Long gardens are routine for us and we plan around the distance.
Most trees can be lifted at any time, but late autumn and winter are often easier because the leaves are off and the structure is visible. Birds nesting is one reason we check before any spring or summer cutting.
Tell us what needs doing and where. We will get back to you to arrange a visit and a free, no-obligation quote. Photos sent on WhatsApp help.
