At Woodfelder Tree Care, we recently carried out a carefully planned oak reduction at Withington Girls’ School — a respected and long-established educational setting in South Manchester.
This particular tree, a mature English Oak (Quercus robur), is a prominent and well-loved feature at the corner of Wellington Road and Victoria Road. Standing proudly on the school’s boundary, it provides visual impact, ecological value, and seasonal interest — but had begun to present a few practical challenges that needed to be addressed.
The Problem: Outgrown Its Space
The oak had received very little management over the past 10 to 15 years, and in that time, its crown had expanded significantly. It was now beginning to overshadow nearby classrooms, blocking natural light and creating a darker, more enclosed feel for students and staff working inside.
In addition, the branches had extended out into the roadway and were encroaching on the school’s guttering and roofline. Overhanging branches can become a concern for both safety and maintenance — particularly in autumn and winter when leaf fall and storms increase the risk of blocked gutters or falling limbs.
The Brief: Reduce, Thin and Lift
Our brief from the school’s site team was clear:
Reduce the overall height and spread of the tree by approximately 4 to 5 metres.
Thin the canopy by around 15% to allow more light to pass through while maintaining a balanced and natural appearance.
Lift the canopy over the adjacent road to improve clearance for vehicles and reduce the likelihood of contact with passing traffic.
As with all our work, we carried out a detailed assessment before starting, considering the tree’s health, age, and long-term viability, as well as the practical requirements of the site.
Our Approach: Skilled Tree Reduction to BS3998
All work was carried out in accordance with British Standard 3998: Recommendations for Tree Work, ensuring best practice in terms of safety, tree health, and aesthetics. This standard sets the benchmark for professional tree care in the UK, and we adhere to it on all reductions, prunings and removals.
Our experienced team of qualified climbers and groundsmen worked efficiently to carry out the reduction, using sectional techniques to avoid damage to nearby buildings, fencing and parked vehicles. Great care was taken to maintain the tree’s natural shape, while achieving a more compact and manageable crown.
We also ensured appropriate clearance was achieved over the highway by carefully raising the lower limbs, taking care to avoid creating a ‘lions tailing’ effect (where too much internal growth is removed).
All the arisings were chipped and delivered to Wellington Road Allotments to be used as mulch.
The Outcome: A Healthier, Safer, More Manageable Tree
The result is a lighter, more open canopy that allows increased daylight into the adjacent classrooms — a real benefit to pupils and staff alike. By reducing the overhang, we’ve also helped reduce future maintenance issues and made the area safer for road users and pedestrians.
Importantly, the oak retains its strong character and structure. The work was designed not to compromise the tree’s long-term health or amenity value, but to manage its form in a way that supports both people and the landscape around it.
Why Choose Woodfelder Tree Care for School Tree Work?
We regularly work with schools and other educational institutions across Manchester and Stockport. Our team understands the need for:
Clear communication with site managers
Safe working practices around children and staff
Fully insured, accredited tree surgery to the highest standards
If you’re responsible for trees on school grounds and want expert advice or a quote for ongoing management, get in touch today. We’re always happy to help — whether it’s a single reduction or a full tree safety survey.
