Tree work in plain English
This tree surgery glossary explains the cuts, equipment and site terms used in quotes. Each definition links to the service or guide where it matters.
A person trained to work with trees. An arborist may climb, use ropes, prune or dismantle trees, depending on their competence and role. The word does not by itself prove a particular qualification, insurance policy or consultancy skill, so check what the person and business are equipped to provide.
About WoodsideA disease of ash caused by the fungus Hymenoscyphus fraxineus. Visible signs can include dead shoots, a thinning crown and new growth further inside the tree. An affected ash does not automatically need felling. Its condition, rate of change, position and what it could reach all affect the response.
Read the ash dieback guideThe smaller branches, twigs and leafy material produced during tree or hedge work. Brash may be chipped, moved, stacked or removed as agreed for the site. Clean-up is included in a Woodside job, but the quote should still record what happens to cut material and larger timber.
Site and land clearanceThe British Standard that gives recommendations for tree work. It helps arborists describe and carry out pruning, management and related operations in a consistent way. A clear work specification can refer to the standard, but it must still identify the tree, the intended outcome and the actual cuts or measurements required.
Tree pruningClearing the agreed work area after the tree, hedge or garden work is complete. Woodside includes clean-up in every job. That does not mean every branch, log or pile of woodchip automatically leaves the property. The quote should state how those materials will be handled for that particular site.
Request a clear quoteAn area given special planning protection for its character or appearance. Many trees within a conservation area are subject to a notice process before pruning or felling. Check the current boundary and requirements with the local planning authority, because conservation-area controls are separate from a Tree Preservation Order.
Check permission for tree workThe upper part of a tree made up of branches, twigs and foliage. Crown shape and spread vary by species and by previous work. When a quote refers to crown work, it should describe the intended operation and measurements rather than rely on the vague instruction to cut the tree back.
Crown work explainedRemoving selected lower branches to increase clearance beneath the crown. It may create room above a drive, path, road or garden. The specification should state the final clearance or the branches involved. Excessive lifting can leave a poorly balanced crown and large wounds on the main stem.
Crown lifting serviceReducing the height or spread of a crown while retaining a natural framework suited to the species. The amount should be stated using measurements or a percentage and linked to a clear reason. Crown reduction is different from topping, which can leave damaging cuts and weak regrowth.
Crown reduction serviceRemoving a proportion of small, live branches through the crown without substantially changing its overall size or outline. It may be specified to reduce density or address crossing growth. The percentage and reason should be clear, because thinning a crown without an objective can add wounds without solving a problem.
Crown thinning serviceBranches that have died but remain attached to the tree. Some deadwood provides useful habitat, while larger pieces over a path, drive or seating area may need attention. A deadwooding specification should say what size or location is included rather than assume every dead twig will be removed.
Deadwooding serviceThe ground area that cut or falling material could reach during tree work. Its size depends on the tree, the operation and how branches are controlled. People, pets, vehicles and unprotected property must be kept outside it. A cramped drop zone often changes a simple fell into sectional work.
Sectional dismantlingCutting a tree so that it falls from near ground level as one main piece. It needs enough clear space for the tree and branches to land without striking people or property. Where that space is not available, the tree may need to be dismantled in smaller controlled sections.
Tree felling and removalPermission from the Forestry Commission that may be required before felling certain trees. Exemptions depend on matters such as tree size, location and the amount felled. A felling licence is separate from Tree Preservation Order consent and conservation-area notice, so more than one check may apply.
Permission checksA part of a tree used by wildlife, such as a cavity, split, loose bark or section of deadwood. Its presence can affect the work method and timing. A habitat feature is not automatically a reason to leave an unsafe situation unchanged, but it should be recognised before cutting starts.
Tree health and safety workA fast-growing evergreen conifer commonly planted as a screen or hedge. Green growth can be managed, but hard cutting into old brown wood may leave bare areas that do not refill. Height, width, neighbour access and the final shape should be agreed before a large reduction begins.
Leylandii tree workThe Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations. They cover lifting equipment used at work, including relevant climbing and rigging equipment in arboriculture. Equipment must be suitable, managed and thoroughly examined at the required intervals. A LOLER record concerns equipment safety and is not a tree survey or work specification.
How Woodside worksA pest of oak trees whose caterpillars carry hairs that can irritate people and animals. Caterpillars may travel in lines and build silken nests on trunks and branches. Do not touch or approach suspected activity. Keep people and pets away and report it through the official TreeAlert service.
Read the OPM guideA repeated system of removing new growth back to established pollard points. It is normally continued on trees already managed this way, at an interval suited to the species and setting. Starting a pollard on a mature tree is a different decision and should not be confused with topping.
Pollarding serviceA tree subject to legal controls, often through a Tree Preservation Order or its position in a conservation area. Protection can restrict pruning, felling and root damage. Confirm the status and approved work with the local planning authority before non-emergency cutting, even when the tree belongs to you.
Protected-tree checksThe written description of the tree work to be completed. It should identify the tree, operation, extent and intended result. Useful specifications give measurements, branch positions or percentages where appropriate. Phrases such as tidy up or cut back leave too much room for different interpretations once cutting starts.
Tree pruning serviceUsing ropes, pulleys, friction devices and suitable anchor points to control branches or stem sections as they are cut. Rigging is used when material cannot safely fall freely. The loads, equipment and landing area must be planned, which can add time and people to a sectional dismantling job.
Sectional dismantlingAn area around a tree intended to protect roots and soil from damage during construction or site work. Its formal size is normally calculated by a suitable specialist using the relevant standard and site information. Woodside does not provide surveys, so a required root protection plan needs separate professional input.
Tree work service boundaryTaking a tree down in smaller pieces rather than felling it whole. An arborist may climb or use suitable access equipment, then lower branches and stem sections where needed. This method is common beside houses, boundaries and roads where the drop zone is too restricted for a straight fell.
Sectional dismantling serviceThe main woody structure supporting a tree's crown, often called the trunk. Some trees divide into several main stems near ground level. Stem number, lean, diameter, unions and visible damage can all change how pruning or removal is planned and where controlled sections can be made.
Tree removal methodsUsing a machine to grind the remaining stump and some roots into small pieces below the surrounding surface. The agreed depth depends on what happens next, such as turf, planting or paving. Underground services, stones and machine access need checking before the grinder enters the work area.
Stump grinding and removalCutting stems or large branches back to unsuitable points without a proper crown specification. It can leave large wounds, a poor shape and dense weakly attached regrowth. Topping is not the same as a measured crown reduction or the repeated management of an established pollard.
Crown reduction explainedA legal order, usually called a TPO, made by a local planning authority to protect trees or woodland. Consent is normally needed before specified work takes place. The application must describe the proposed work clearly. Ownership of the tree does not remove the need to follow the order.
TPO and permission guidePractical work carried out on trees, including pruning, crown management, deadwood removal, dismantling and felling. It is different from a formal tree survey or consultancy report. Woodside provides tree surgery and related site work but does not provide surveys or old and veteran-tree preservation services.
Browse tree surgery servicesA tree with features of age that have particular habitat or cultural value. Veteran status is about those features rather than one fixed size or age. Work can need specialist assessment and long-term management. Woodside does not offer old or veteran-tree preservation, surveys or consultancy reports.
Check the service boundaryA tree pushed over or partly uprooted by wind. Roots, stems and trapped branches can remain under considerable tension after the storm. Do not climb, cut or pull at it yourself. Keep people away from the area it could move into and arrange an appropriate emergency assessment.
Emergency and storm workSmall pieces produced when suitable branches and brash pass through a woodchipper. Woodchip can be useful as mulch when correctly placed, but fresh material and deep piles are not suitable for every planting area. Whether chip is removed or left on site should be recorded in the quote.
Mulching serviceRequest a quote
Show us the whole tree, the space below it and the route to the road. We use those details to plan the work and prepare the quote.
Normal working hours plus 24-hour emergency call-out.