Cwmbran was laid out as a planned town, with open green spaces, tree-lined avenues and gardens that often share a boundary with a mature tree. Decades on, many of those trees have grown well past what the plot was designed for, and their lower branches are heading for windows, fences and parked cars.
A crown lift raises the canopy by removing the lowest limbs. We keep cuts clean, leave the natural shape and tell you honestly how much needs to come off. Estate trees often look similar, but every one has its own habit, and we judge each tree on its own merits.
Trees on planned estates like Cwmbran were usually placed neatly, then left to grow. Today a tree that once stood well clear of the house can have limbs resting on the garage roof or hanging over a shared footpath. In a close of similar homes, one low branch can cut light from several windows at once. Because the planting is mostly regular, one lifted tree among a row can look odd, so we will talk about neighbouring trees too.
Lifting the crown gives back that space without changing the character of the street. Since the trees often sit on open green verges as well as in back gardens, the right height of lift depends on who and what passes underneath, from pushchairs to delivery vans. We also take account of lighting columns, signs and overhead cables, which can limit the way a branch is cut, and we look for these from the start.
Many Cwmbran gardens have a hedge running beneath a larger tree, so lifting the canopy has to be done with the planting below in mind. We lower branches carefully and keep the hedge and shrubs from being flattened, which is easier when the cut limbs are taken down in small sections. A tidy lift also makes mowing and hedge cutting easier, as the mower and the clippers no longer have to dodge low branches.
Where the same tree overshadows a lawn, lifting also helps the grass recover, because more light reaches the ground. We take the same measured approach each time, cutting back to the branch collar and avoiding too much removal from the lower trunk, so the tree remains well balanced. Cwmbran's wooded hills behind the town mean trees on the edge of estates grow upright and tall, and these often need only light attention.
Some trees on estates and green spaces are protected or owned by someone else, so before cutting in Cwmbran we check who the tree belongs to and whether a preservation order applies. We also cover Llantarnam, Pontnewydd, Croesyceiliog, Henllys and Pontypool, and we raise the same questions in each. Open green spaces on Cwmbran estates are often maintained by the council or a housing association, so we check ownership before cutting.
A few jobs we have completed. We also work in and around Cwmbran.
Garden FencingA fence replacement part-way through in a Cwmbran garden, with fresh posts and rails standing in the gap beside a brick house.
See the project →
Hedge TrimmingA tall, leafy side-garden shrub next to a brick house and gravel seating area in Cwmbran, trimmed to keep the space usable.
See the project →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 →Only if it is yours or you have permission. Trees on open green space often belong to the council or a housing body. Tell us where it is and we will help you work out who to ask before any work is planned.
Often it helps, particularly where low branches sit directly in front of windows. Raising the canopy lets daylight pass underneath. It will not remove all shade, though, and we will be honest about how much difference to expect.
Think about what needs to pass beneath: a path, a car, a window view. We agree a target height with you, then check that the tree can take it without losing balance. If less will do, we will recommend that.
Tell us what needs doing and where. We will come back to you, or call 07766 919630 if it is urgent.