With the Sugar Loaf and the Blorenge rising above it, Abergavenny is a town full of mature garden and hedgerow trees. Over time the lowest branches droop towards lawns, drives and pavements. Crown lifting removes those lower limbs to raise the canopy, so people and vehicles can pass underneath and daylight reaches the ground again.
We lift crowns in moderation, taking only what is needed so the tree stays healthy and keeps its natural shape. The aim is a tree that looks as if it was never touched, only more open underneath, with clear space where you need it.
Most calls start with something simple. A branch scrapes the roof of a car, a path is hard to walk without ducking, or a window is blocked by leaves. In the period terraces and villas of Abergavenny the trees are often decades old, and their lowest branches have thickened and sagged into the space people use every day, often without anyone noticing how much lower they have crept.
A lift is also useful when an extension has gone up beneath a tree, or when you want the view back from the house. We remove the lowest limbs, working from the bottom upwards, and cut cleanly back to the branch collar rather than leaving stubs. That helps the wound close and keeps decay from creeping into the trunk, which is why the finish of each cut matters as much as the number of cuts.
A crown should never be stripped of its lower half. Taking off too many branches leaves a tall, bare trunk with a tuft on top and can weaken the tree. We judge each one by its size and species, and in general we keep a good proportion of the live crown so the tree continues to feed itself and stay stable. A badly lifted tree is easy to spot, and we try not to leave one behind.
On the edge of the National Park, many gardens border hedgerows and fields where trees grow wide and low by nature. We lift these gently, and only far enough to clear what must be clear. Some trees look better with a light touch and a second visit later than with one heavy cut that cannot be undone, and a gradual approach is often kinder to a tree in an Abergavenny garden.
Trees in Abergavenny may carry a protection order, or stand in a conservation area, and we check before cutting. We avoid the bird nesting season and take away every branch we cut, leaving the drive or path clean and ready to use. Lifting work tends to produce plenty of green waste. We also cover Llanfoist, Govilon and Crickhowell. If a lift is not the right answer, we will say so and suggest something gentler.
We work across South Wales. Pick your town to see how crown lifting works locally.
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Read the guide →It depends on the tree. We aim to clear whatever needs clearing, such as a path, a driveway or a window, while keeping enough living crown for the tree to stay healthy. We will tell you honestly what height is sensible before we start.
Not completely. The tree keeps growing, and the higher branches will gradually lengthen. A lift gives you clearance for years, but the tree may need a light revisit now and then to keep the space open, particularly with vigorous species.
If it has a protection order, or is in a conservation area, consent is normally needed even for lifting. We can check the position before any work is done, so that you stay within the rules and the tree is not harmed.
Tell us what needs doing and where. We will come back to you, or call 07766 919630 if it is urgent.