Tree removal can look quite dramatic from the outside. Chainsaws, ropes, falling branches and a wood chipper can make it seem like the job is mostly about cutting.

In fact, much of what makes professional tree removal safe happens before the first branch comes off.

The tree itself needs assessing, but so does everything around it. How much space is available? Can machinery reach the garden? Is the tree next to the house? Then there's the question of what happens to several tonnes of timber once it's on the ground.

Here's what homeowners can usually expect.

The Initial Tree Survey

During the initial tree survey, the tree surgeon needs to understand what they're dealing with.

Its size, species and overall condition all matter. Signs of disease, decay or damaged branches can affect how the work is carried out, as can a noticeable lean or an uneven crown.

The surrounding area is just as important.

A tree standing in the middle of a large open garden is a very different job from one squeezed between a house, a shed and a neighbouring fence. Roads, pavements, garages, greenhouses and overhead obstacles may all need to be considered.

Access matters too. Getting people into a garden is one thing; getting equipment in and large quantities of timber out is another.

Bird nests and bat roosts are legally protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Conservation of Habitats and Regulations 2017. It is an offence to damage or disturb an active nest or roost, carrying penalties of unlimited fines and/or imprisonment.

Works to vegetation must be scheduled outside the main nesting season (1 March – 31 August) where possible. If this is not feasible, a competent person must inspect the site immediately before works begin. If an active nest is found, the area must be marked off and works postponed until the young have fledged and the nest is no longer in use.

Note: Bats are protected year-round. If a bat roost is suspected, works must stop immediately, and a qualified ecologist must be consulted before any further action.

Can the Tree Be Removed?

This needs to be checked before work begins.

Tree Preservation Orders can protect trees, while additional restrictions can apply in conservation areas. If these apply, permission or notification may be needed before certain work takes place.

If ownership of a tree is unclear because it sits on a boundary, that should also be resolved.

It's much better to make these checks beforehand than to discover a problem after the tree has been removed.

Deciding How to Take the Tree Down

There isn't a single standard method for tree removal.

If a tree has plenty of clear space around it, it may be possible to straight fell the tree in a chosen direction. That's not practical in many residential gardens.

Imagine a mature tree at the back of a terraced property. There might be a conservatory on one side, next door's fence on the other and hardly any open ground beneath it. Dropping the whole tree clearly isn't an option.

Instead, it can be dismantled in sections aka section felling.

Branches are removed in manageable sections and larger pieces can be controlled with ropes and rigging equipment where needed. The trunk can then be taken down section by section.

It can look like a slower process, but it gives the team much more control over what comes down and where.

Preparing the Garden

Before cutting starts, the working area needs to be made safe.

Homeowners may be asked to move cars, garden furniture, toys, pots or other items before work starts. Pets and children need to stay well away from the work.

The tree team will organise their equipment and set up the working area. On jobs involving several people, communication is important. The climber and the team working below need to know what's happening before sections are cut or lowered.

What Equipment Will You See?

That depends on the job.

Chainsaws and the right protective equipment are likely to be the most obvious. For climbing work, you may also see ropes and harnesses. Rigging equipment can be used to control branches or timber rather than letting them fall.

Once the material reaches the ground, a wood chipper can process smaller branches and vegetation.

Some jobs require other machinery or specialist access equipment. Stump grinders are used if the remaining stump also needs to be ground down to below ground level.

Not every garden will have a van full of machinery outside. The equipment should suit the tree rather than the other way around.

What Happens to the Tree Afterwards?

Taking the tree down is only half the story. A mature tree produces a large amount of material.

Smaller branches can usually be processed into woodchip, while larger sections of timber are cut into manageable pieces. The waste can then be cleared from the site as agreed. We transport all the waste to our yard where it is organised and recycled. The woodchip goes to biomass boilers and used to generate electricity and the logs are mainly split and seasoned for use a fire wood for domestic log burners.

If you'd like to keep suitable logs or woodchip, mention it before the job. Depending on the work, this can be arranged.

Does Tree Removal Include the Stump?

Not necessarily.

Once the tree has been removed, the stump can remain in the ground. For some homeowners that isn't a problem, particularly if it's in an unused corner of the garden.

If you're planning to turf, plant or landscape the area, you may want it dealt with as well. Stump grinding uses specialist machinery called a stump grinder to grind down the remaining stump and is often treated as a separate part of the job.

Ask what's included in your quotation so you know exactly how the area will be left.

How Long Will It Take?

There's no one-size-fits-all answer.

A small, accessible tree may be removed relatively quickly. A mature tree that needs careful dismantling in a confined garden is a very different job and can take multiple days.

Size, condition, access, surrounding buildings, the removal method and how much material needs to be processed can all affect how long the job takes.

What Should You Do on the Day?

Usually, not very much.

Make sure the agreed access is clear and move any items you've been asked to remove from the working area. Keep children and pets away while work is underway. If neighbours are likely to be affected by access, noise or temporary disruption, it's helpful to give them some notice too.

The tree team can take it from there.

Tree Removal in Dagenham and Essex

Kings Cut Trees provides professional tree removal services across Dagenham, Essex, and the surrounding areas.

We assess the tree and its location, plan a suitable removal method and use the right equipment to carry out the work safely and efficiently. Once the tree is down, the material can be processed and the working area cleared as agreed.

If you have a tree that needs removing, contact Kings Cut Trees to arrange an assessment and quotation.