Location: Tregony, Cornwall
Client: Private homeowner
Services: Tree removal, domestic tree surgery, MEWP-assisted dismantling, chipping, nesting bird checks
Project length: 1 day
Client Brief
We were asked by a private homeowner in Tregony to remove a Leylandii that had been planted too close to an outbuilding.
The tree itself was healthy, but it had outgrown the space. Its stem and root system were starting to lift and crack the corner of a nearby garage, and the client wanted it removed before the damage became worse.
This is a fairly common issue with fast-growing garden trees. They can be planted with good intentions, often for screening, but years later they end up too close to buildings, walls, services or boundaries.
In this case, the decision to remove the tree was the right one.
THRC Solution
Choosing the Safest Method
The tree was leaning towards the garage and was also close to both telephone and powerline services.
Because of the access, the lean of the tree and the position of the nearby building, we hired in a MEWP rather than climbing the tree. That allowed the team to work from a stable platform and dismantle the tree in sections without putting unnecessary load into the tree or increasing risk around the garage.
The tree was cut and lowered by hand from the MEWP, working carefully through the canopy and stem until it was removed down to ground level.
No stump grinding was required. The stump was cut as low as practical, and because Leylandii is a conifer, it should not regrow from the stump in the way some broadleaf species would.
Working Around Services and Nesting Season
Before any cutting began, the team carried out a visual check for nesting birds.
The work took place during bird nesting season, so this check was important. No active nests were found, and the team was able to continue.
There were also powerline contractors working separately nearby, so communication on site mattered. Even on a small domestic job, it is important to stay aware of who else is working nearby and what hazards are present.
Clearing the Tree
Once the tree was down, the canopy was chipped and removed from site.
The timber was processed into liftable lengths and left neatly on site for the client to use. That gave the client some useful firewood-sized material while keeping the garden clear of brash and waste.
The job was completed within the day.
End Result
The Leylandii was removed safely and carefully, with no further damage to the garage or surrounding services.
The client was left with the timber in manageable lengths, the chip was removed, and the stump was cut to ground level. More importantly, the pressure on the outbuilding should no longer worsen.
For THRC, this was a small but useful example of our domestic tree surgery work. It shows a different side of the business from our larger habitat restoration and land management projects, but the same principles still apply: choose the safest method, protect the surrounding site, communicate clearly and leave the job tidy.
Not every tree job is large or complicated, but when a tree is close to property and services, it still needs to be handled properly.
Services Included
- Domestic tree surgery
- Leylandii removal
- Tree removal near buildings
- MEWP-assisted tree work
- Sectional dismantling
- Hand-lowered tree removal
- Chainsaw works
- Chipping and brash removal
- Timber processing
- Stump cut to ground level
- Nesting bird visual check
- Working near telephone lines
- Working near powerline services
- Private garden tree work
