In Tonypandy the Rhondda Fawr valley sides rise steeply behind the terraces, and woodland is never far from a back gate. Garden trees here grow on difficult ground, often close to houses and walls. We prune them to keep branches off roofs and gutters, thin out dense growth and take away dead wood, so the trees stay safe and in proportion.
The work is careful and practical, and we leave the garden tidy when we go. Nothing is dumped on the bank or left for you to deal with, and we talk through the plan with you before cutting.
When a tree sits on a bank behind a terrace, its branches can reach over the roof or into the neighbouring garden within a few seasons. Leaves block gutters, and heavy limbs hang above slates. Taking back the overhanging growth and thinning the rest keeps the tree away from the building without wrecking its shape or leaving it looking butchered, which is a real risk when overhanging growth is simply hacked off.
Getting the work done is a question of planning. We look at how the branches will come down, where they can be carried, and what needs protecting on the way, from greenhouses to washing lines. In a narrow Tonypandy garden that may mean lowering sections on ropes, cutting them small and walking them out through a side lane or passage, leaving the garden clear.
Many back gardens climb the valley side in a series of steps and walls. Trees at the top shade everything beneath them, and roots and weight can matter on sloping ground. A sensible thinning reduces the load without taking away the tree's natural character, which keeps the tree steady on the slope. We also deal with deadwood, which tends to build up in neglected trees near the woodland edge in Tonypandy and the streets around it.
Where there is an old apple, a plum or an ornamental tree, we shape it to suit its age and species, and aim for a balanced crown with light reaching the middle of the tree. Conifers are cut back only within their green growth. They will not shoot again from brown wood, so a cut that goes too deep would leave a bare patch for good, so we explain the limits before we start.
We check for protection orders, avoid the nesting season and pick a sensible time of year for each species. If your Tonypandy tree is shared with a neighbour or stands on the bank, we will talk through who owns what. We also work in Trealaw, Penygraig, Llwynypia, Porth and Clydach Vale, and we remove all branches and clippings afterwards.
A few jobs we have completed. We also work in and around Tonypandy.
Tree PruningCutting back a bushy evergreen from the ground beside a Bedwas patio, with a ladder ready against the wall for higher growth.
See the project →
Tree PruningCutting back a tree in a Blackwood front garden from a ladder, with the chipper beside the road taking the branches.
See the project →
Tree PruningPruning dense evergreen growth in a small terraced back garden in Caerphilly, working around a conservatory and a covered swing seat.
See the project →We work across South Wales. Pick your town to see how tree pruning works locally.
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 →Tall conifers can often be reduced safely, but only back to living green growth, because most will never regrow from bare brown wood.
Read the guide →Regular pruning keeps trees safe, balanced and healthy, brings light back into gardens and buildings, and usually avoids the larger and more disruptive jobs that neglect leads to.
Read the guide →Yes. Many gardens here can only be reached on foot, so we plan the job around that. Branches are cut into small pieces and carried out, and we protect paths and plants as far as we reasonably can on the way.
Rubbing branches can wear slates and clog gutters, so it is worth dealing with them reasonably soon. We can cut back the overhanging growth to a clean junction and tell you if anything else on the tree needs attention.
We can only work on trees on your own land or with the owner's agreement. Woodland behind a garden often belongs to someone else, so we suggest finding out who owns it, and we can then discuss what is possible.
Tell us what needs doing and where. We will come back to you, or call 07766 919630 if it is urgent.