The Ebbw Fach valley sides are steep and wooded, and in Abertillery that woodland tends to creep down into the back gardens. Trees on a bank reach out sideways, and their lowest branches end up across steps, paths and windows. Crown lifting raises that lower growth so you can use the space again, while the rest of the tree stays as it is.
We take the lowest limbs only, and no more than the tree can comfortably spare. Every cut is chosen with the shape of the whole tree in mind, so that nothing looks hacked or lopsided when we leave.
Small sloping gardens in Abertillery leave little room to manoeuvre. A low branch across a flight of steps is more than an annoyance, because it catches faces and hands as you climb. Lifting the crown takes the underside of the tree up out of reach, clears the line of the path and helps the garden feel less closed in, which is worth a lot on a plot that is already small.
We work from the bottom of the tree upwards, taking the smallest number of branches that will do the job. Each cut goes back to the branch collar so the wound can seal. Larger limbs are lowered in sections rather than dropped, which matters when there is a wall, a greenhouse or a neighbour's fence beneath them, and we protect what we can with care.
Mountain weather means damp, shaded gardens, and a tree that hangs low over the lawn keeps the ground wet and mossy for much of the year. Raising the canopy lets more daylight reach the ground and air move underneath. In an Abertillery back garden that can make a noticeable difference to how the space feels and to how the lawn and borders cope through the wetter months.
A lift should not turn a tree into a pole with a tuft on top. We look at its height and species, then decide how far we can go and still leave plenty of living crown. If a lift alone will not solve the problem, we will tell you honestly, and suggest a light thinning or a reduction instead, whichever suits the tree most.
We always check whether an Abertillery tree has a protection order or is in a conservation area, because consent may be needed even for a lift. We stay clear of the nesting season too. We also work in Brynithel, Cwmtillery, Blaina and Six Bells, and all the cut branches are cleared away before we leave your garden, so the steps and paths are clear to use.
A few jobs we have completed. We also work in and around Abertillery.
We work across South Wales. Pick your town to see how crown lifting works locally.
Crown lifting raises the canopy by removing low branches, while crown reduction makes the whole tree smaller, so choosing the right one depends on your problem.
Read the guide →
Tree surgery is priced job by job rather than from a fixed list, so this guide explains what moves the cost up or down and how to get a firm figure.
Read the guide →
There is no single perfect month for every tree, but winter suits many species, and this guide shows how timing, nesting birds and weather affect the choice.
Read the guide →We can lift branches that hang over your own land if the owner agrees or it is your tree. Where the tree belongs to someone else, we suggest talking to them first, and we can then advise on what is reasonable and what is not.
Usually not. Removing only the lowest branches clears the steps and leaves the tree standing. We would only suggest anything more drastic if the tree looked unsafe or unhealthy, and we would explain why before anything is agreed.
We cut the wood into short lengths and carry them out by hand, usually through the house or a side passage. Larger limbs are lowered on ropes first, and we will talk through the route with you beforehand so nothing in the house is damaged.
Tell us what needs doing and where. We will come back to you, or call 07766 919630 if it is urgent.
