Tree Pruning Services in the UK for Healthier, Safer Trees

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  Edited by Ali Lijee

  Edited by Ali Lijee

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Ali Lijee is the founder and CEO of TreeMend, with over a decade of experience in tree care and maintenance. He has a strong interest in helping tree surgeons and arborists leverage the power of the internet through content creation and digital marketing. His work has been referenced by MSN, Yahoo, AOL, and more. This article was checked on 03/01/2025 for accuracy. Learn more or report an error.

If you’ve been searching for “tree pruning services near me” then this guide ought to put you on the path to getting your favourite tree(s) pruned and maintained professionally. As one of the most common tree surgeon and arborist services, homeowners often want to know what tree pruning is, why it may be necessary, and how and in which season it’s usually done.

This guide aims to inform the reader of tree pruning in the UK and answer these questions.

Table of contents

• What is tree pruning?
• Why prune your tree?
• When is the best time to prune a tree?
• The tree pruning process
• Specific tree pruning methods
• Professional tree pruning vs DIY: how to decide
• How to get tree pruning near you
• Tree pruning in the UK: frequently asked questions
• Get a tree pruning quote today

What is tree pruning?

Tree pruning is the removal of branches from a tree. It’s done selectively and carefully, typically with the goal of preserving the tree’s vitality by encouraging healthy new growth or removing deadwood or diseased/weak branches. It can also be done for structural or aesthetic reasons.

Tree surgeons and arborists in the UK provide tree pruning as one of their most common services and have been trained on the proper manner to prune trees, using the right equipment for the job to preserve the health of the tree and to avoid personal injury, injury to others, and damage to property.

Most trees in the UK do not require pruning, but those that do often stand to benefit greatly from routine, managed pruning. Those trees that do benefit from pruning should generally be pruned as little as possible but as much as necessary.

A qualified tree surgeon or arborist ought to know exactly how much is appropriate for your specific tree, depending on its species and condition.

Why prune your tree?

Why should you prune a tree? Knowing the answer to this gives you reason to prune it in the first place. If you’re thinking of having a tree pruned, always have an understanding of the reason why. If the pruning is beneficial to the health of the tree and/or removes a hazard, then generally pruning is justified.

Tree pruning may be desired or necessary for a variety of reasons. Here are some of the most common:

• Healthy tree growth: by removing dead or diseased branches, pruning can make way for healthy regrowth. Young and veteran trees alike can remain healthy with careful pruning.
• Safety for people and property: cracked branches or a structurally unstable tree (e.g. irregular root growth, leaning trunk) can pose a serious hazard to people and property. Tree pruning can remove dangerous branches before they fall down or help to rebalance a tree at risk of toppling with heavy winds, for example.
• Beautification of a tree: by removing deadwood or diseased branches, healthy regrowth can occur and give way to more beautiful, full and leafy foliage. Pruning can make trees look more uniform and overall more appealing on your property.
• Manage desired tree growth: as saplings grow into young trees, managed pruning in these early stages can be done to achieve a desired look or to maximise flower or fruit growth for certain species. Veteran trees may sometimes benefit from pruning in order to live longer.

Furthermore, tree pruning is frequently requested in order to increase transmissible light through the canopy, reduce wind resistance by increasing air circulation, and create adequate clearance for vehicles or passersby.

Tree pruning is important for the vitality of trees and for safety reasons

When is the best time to prune a tree?

According to Forest Research, the UK is home to over 60 native tree species. Of these, only around 35 or so are common. Every species has its own unique characteristics; many have completely different pruning seasons, whereas many should not be pruned at all.

For optimal tree vitality, the best time to prune deciduous trees is after the leaves have hardened (or ‘flushed’) and are dormant, which is often in mid-winter. Coniferous trees often benefit the most from pruning from April to the end of August. Most tree species should not be pruned in autumn or early winter because the cold weather and fungal sporulation could worsen a tree’s health if wounds are made.

To give an even better answer about when is the best time to prune a tree, we’ve classified many popular deciduous and evergreen (including coniferous) species below with the best time to prune each species of tree.

Deciduous tree pruning seasons

The graphic below shows the optimal pruning season for various deciduous trees commonly found in gardens across the UK:

Evergreen tree pruning seasons

The graphic below shows the optimal pruning season for various evergreen and coniferous trees commonly found in gardens across the UK:

Tree tolerance to hard pruning

Hard pruning is a type of pruning often used in the rejuvenation of trees, whereby significant amounts of foliage and lengths of branches/stems are cut back. It is considered a drastic type of pruning that should only be used in extreme cases such as significant deadwood or disease treatment.

As with optimal pruning seasons, various species have different tolerances to hard pruning. The below table shows the tolerance to pruning for some of the UK’s most common deciduous and evergreen trees:

The tree pruning process

How are trees pruned? When a tree surgeon knows the right season and how much pruning a specific tree species can tolerate, as well as how much pruning is needed, they can get to work on pruning it.

Note that heavy-handed branch removal - commonly referred to as lopping and topping - is no longer an industry-approved practice. Furthermore, wound paints are no longer commonly used except in certain rare circumstances (e.g. to contain specific diseases).

Excessive overall pruning and pruning branches too large compared to the trunk’s diameter are also not recommended as they can cause excessive harm to the tree and leave wounds vulnerable to fungal disease or death of the tree. Specifically, BS 3998: 2010 Tree Work – Recommendations requires that the pruned cut should not exceed one-third the diameter of the parent branch/stem. This helps reduce the size of wounds and allows the tree to heal. For example, a branch larger than 30cm in diameter should be left alone if the trunk is 1m in diameter.

Generally, tree pruning today uses modern industry-approved techniques that have been adopted here in the UK and internationally, such as in the United States. This process and the tools commonly used for tree pruning are found below.

Tree pruning for small branches

For branches up to around one inch (2.5cm) in diameter, secateurs or loppers can be used to snip the branch around ¼ inch (5mm) beyond the bud or side shoot. Cuts should preferably done at a 45° angle in an outwards direction, where new growth can be healthy and varied.

By placing cuts at a ¼ inch above the bud or side shoot, new growth is encouraged. By keeping cuts at a roughly 45° angle, that growth can be directed in the optimal direction.

An example of ideal pruning cuts for small branches can be found in the below graphic:

Tree pruning for large branches

To prune branches larger than one inch in diameter, the entire branch is typically removed up to the trunk. A rigorous three-step cut is often the preferred method for ensuring minimal harm to the tree and its bark, maximum efficiency, and the ideal callus wound recovery.

The first cut should be an undercut going roughly halfway through the branch. The cut should be around eight inches (20cm) away (towards the tip of the branch) from where you want the final cut to take place.

The second cut should be an overcut around one inch beyond where you made the first cut. This cut should go right through the branch, eliminating most of the mass and foliage.

The third cut should be at a 45° angle out from where the branch collar meets the branch bark ridge; it’s the tough pit area between the top of the branch and the trunk. This final cut is done to prune the branch back fully. Angled cuts minimise the size and severity of the wound.

The full process can be seen in the diagram shown below:

When deciding which branches to prune first, the first that should be removed are any that are identified as being diseased, damaged, or dead. Follow up by removing branches with weak growth or that rub together. Avoid pruning too much of the tree’s canopy (around 20-25%) to minimise harm to the tree.

Tools required for tree pruning

Tree surgeons and arborists in the UK frequently use the same types of manual and powered equipment, as well as personal protective equipment (PPE) for most of the common pruning jobs they carry out.

Chainsaws may sometimes be used, but secateurs and loppers are generally much better for small branches whilst pruning saws are used for large branches. If a branch is out of reach, pole saws (or long reach saws) are used. Ladders or mobile elevated work platforms (MEWPs) are used to safely bring personnel to the correct height to work on particular branches.

The most commonly used equipment for tree pruning can be found below:

Specific tree pruning methods

Tree pruning can be done for various reasons, but there should always be a reasonable justification before pruning any given tree. Whether for the health of the tree, safety, aesthetics, or any combination thereof, tree pruning may serve some of the following specific goals:

Deadwood removal

Deadwood removal is one of the most important reasons to prune a tree. Removing dead, diseased, or broken branches can greatly benefit the health of the tree. In the case of diseased trees, selectively pruning affected branches can treat the tree back to full health.

Crown raising

Crown raising is the process of pruning the lower part of the tree’s crown, which ‘raises’ the canopy. This is often done to create clearance for foot or vehicular traffic underneath a tree, but it can also be done to allow more light to penetrate or to create better structural equilibrium for a tree.
Most deciduous trees have a crown canopy taking up around 60% of the tree (the trunk is the other 40%). Coniferous trees can usually sustain around at 50/50 mix of crown to trunk. Try to keep within these proportions to prevent the tree from becoming unbalanced.

Crown thinning

Crown thinning involves selectively removing branches from within the crown so that it’s less dense. This leads to less foliage and better light penetration and less wind resistance. Along with crown raising, it’s a common form of crown reduction.

Veteran trees sometimes need to be thinned out for health reasons, since they sometimes lose their ability to support as much of a crown as they have, so trimming it back and thinning it out can help them along.

Formative pruning

Young trees between 1-5 years old often benefit greatly from formative pruning to encourage a desired pattern of growth. Pruning such young trees can have a tremendous impact on how they mature, allowing for managed and healthy growth to take place.

Tree surgeons will often perform formative pruning on trees that have competing central leaders, i.e. a trunk or main branch that is competing to grow alongside another. By pruning away at the undesired leader, the central leader can take its place.

Pollarding & bolling

Both pollarding and bolling are more drastic forms of pruning. Pollarding refers to managed growth of young trees by aggressively pruning the crown to a knob, aka a pollard.

Coppicing is similar to pollarding but is even more aggressive in that it seeks to prune back the canopy and even trunk area into a thick, gnarled knob, aka a boll. In doing so with routine pruning, the tree trunk begins to sprout multiple new shoots or branches. Many ancient trees in the UK have visible signs of centuries-old bolling, which was frequently done to secure a consistent supply of timber.

Most pruning services involve some form of crown reduction or focus on deadwood removal to preserve the tree’s vitality, safety, and/or appearance

Professional tree pruning vs DIY: how to decide

Tree pruning is something that homeowners can do, and many of us like to exercise our green thumbs by lovingly pruning our trees by ourselves. When is it worth pruning a tree yourself and when is it best to call a professional?

If your tree is on property you own and it isn’t protected by a Tree Preservation Order or subject to any other restrictions, you can prune it so long as you remember to do so purposefully. Do not prune any more than necessary and always have a goal in mind when pruning.

Small fruit trees or private bonsai trees are ideal for DIY pruning, especially if the branches are well within your reach and you can do so safely.

For any large trees requiring climbing or other hazards, such as pruning a cracked branch that could easily fall down, a professional tree surgeon is strongly recommended.

Professional tree surgeons and arborists know the best time of year to prune, how much should be pruned, how to prune properly so as not to wound the tree excessively, and much more. All of their expertise contributes to healthier trees whilst keeping you and your neighbours safe and your properties free from damage.

It’s almost always better to hire a professional tree surgeon for tree pruning than to do it yourself

How to get tree pruning near you

If you’re looking for tree pruning in the UK, you should consider hiring a qualified tree surgeon or arborist. Many gardeners and landscape contractors commonly prune ivy, hedgerows, and sometimes trees, but it’s essential that they have expertise in tree pruning due to the sensitivity of the task and the hazards involved.

TreeMend is a platform that connects homeowners across the UK with professional, local tree surgeons and arborists who provide tree pruning and much more. Connect with local tree surgeons and get FREE, no-obligation quotes by using TreeMend.

TreeMend is an ideal platform for tree pruning near you

Tree pruning in the UK: frequently asked questions

How much does tree pruning cost per hour?

According to our guide on the cost of tree pruning, you can expect to pay anywhere from around £40 to £50 per hour for a professional tree surgeon or arborist to prune your tree(s).

On average, the total cost of tree pruning a tree is around £345. For small, medium, and large trees, our estimated average cost of tree pruning is: £275, £405, and £880, respectively.

What time of year is it best to prune trees?

The best time to prune a tree is roughly from mid-winter to late spring, but there are many exceptions and your tree’s species might require pruning at specific times of the year that differ from this. For most deciduous trees, mid-winter is best because the tree is dormant and the fungal sporulation period around autumn has well passed by. Conifers and evergreens are often best pruned in the spring and summer.

When to hard prune trees?

The best time to hard prune trees is generally as soon as possible, provided the season is reasonable for the tree’s species and general health. Hard pruning is generally not ideal but it’s sometimes necessary for trees that have significant deadwood, widespread disease, or cracked branches that could easily fall down.

How to cut large branches off a tree?

To cut large branches off a tree, the industry-approved technique used in the UK is typically to perform three cuts. The first cut should be an undercut around 20cm from the desired final cut area, followed by a second overcut an inch further along towards the tip, and finally a third cut along an angle from the branch collar to the branch bark ridge.

Avoid cutting branches that have a diameter of more than one-third of the diameter of the trunk or connecting stem.

Do trees benefit from pruning?

Yes, trees can benefit greatly from pruning. When deadwood or cracked branches are removed, the tree heals the wound by producing new growth which can include greater foliage, more abundant fruit, and healthier new branches. Not all trees should be pruned and pruning should be selective, but when needed it can improve or even save a tree from disease or death.

What part of a tree should not be cut?

Pruning should only be performed on small branches or large branches no greater than one-third the diameter of the connecting stem or trunk. Reckless removal of branches, often referred to as topping and lopping, can leave severe wounds which can introduce fungal diseases and even kill the tree.

What happens if you cut too many branches off a tree?

If too many branches are cut off a tree, the tree can suffer from a weakened structure and potentially fall over. Furthermore, excessive crown reduction can harm the tree’s ability to photosynthesise and produce sugars to feed the trunk phloem and root system, which in turn can lead to less fruit or none at all.

Do trees grow back after pruning?

Trees often grow back very quickly after pruning, so long as the pruning is done in the correct season and with correct techniques. Typically, the first growth season after pruning shows a crown similar to what the tree had before. After two growth seasons, the crown is typically larger than it was before being pruned.

Can pruning shock a tree?

Yes. Pruning will always cause wounds to the tree and some wounds can cause immense shock to the tree, which is why selective pruning is always preferred over heavy-handed pruning. Generally, no more than 20-25% of a trees canopy should be pruned in a single year. Exceeding this could lead to wounds that struggle to heal, wounds that become infected with disease, or death of the tree.

Get a tree pruning quote today

Make TreeMend your first choice for finding affordable tree pruning services in the UK. Our platform features professional tree surgeons and arborists across the UK who offer expert tree care and maintenance services.