At Woodfelder Tree Care, we love a good reduction — especially when it helps bring a tree back into balance and improves the look and feel of a garden. Recently, we were asked by our client Mark in Levenshulme, South Manchester, to carry out a reduction on his mature Silver Birch.

Over the years, Mark had looked after the tree himself. But like many Birches, it had gradually become leggy and overgrown, and the task of maintaining it had started to get out of hand. That’s where we came in.

The Brief

Mark’s brief was clear and straightforward:

• Bring the tree back down below the telephone line that crossed above it

• Reshape the crown to give it a better overall structure and appearance

• Tidy up the growth to stop it from looking straggly and unbalanced

The tree had developed long, thin limbs that reached up past the cables, and the crown had lost its compact, upright form. The aim wasn’t to dramatically change the tree — just to get it back under control and restore a more attractive shape.

Assessing the Tree

During our site visit, we noted that the tree was still in good health, with no signs of decay or structural issues. Silver Birch trees tend to respond well to light reductions, but they don’t tolerate harsh pruning, so it was important to approach the job carefully — keeping the tree’s natural habit in mind.

The telephone line ran directly above the tree’s crown, which meant we had to plan the reduction precisely to keep clear of the wire while maintaining a balanced look.

Carrying Out the Work

All work was carried out using rope and harness by one of our experienced climbers. Using target pruning techniques in line with BS3998:2010 (Tree Work – Recommendations), we reduced the height and spread of the tree, focusing on the longest, most straggly leaders that had grown past the cables.

The work was done carefully to avoid over-pruning and ensure plenty of healthy growth points were retained for the tree to recover and regrow naturally. We also gave the crown a gentle reshape — working around the full canopy to maintain even proportions and remove any awkward or crossing branches.

No thinning was needed in this case — the main goal was height management and visual balance.

All arisings were chipped and removed from site the same day, and the garden was left neat and tidy.

Before and After

We’re always pleased when a job comes together neatly — and this one definitely did. The final result was a well-proportioned Birch tree, now sitting comfortably below the telephone line, with a much neater crown that still retained its light, airy character.

To top it off, the weather turned out great on the day, giving us a blue sky for the final “after” shot. A small thing, but it made for a very satisfying finish.

Mark was really pleased with the work and happy to have the tree back under control without losing its character. It’s now in a much better state for long-term management, and with occasional touch-ups every few years, it should stay that way.

Need Help with a Tree That’s Got Away From You?

If you’ve got a tree that’s outgrown its space — or you’re no longer able to manage it yourself — we’re here to help. Whether it’s a Birch, Rowan, Cherry or something larger, we offer:

• Crown reductions and reshaping

• Height clearance from wires or buildings

• Honest, practical advice from experienced professionals

• Free checks for Tree Preservation Orders or conservation area restrictions

We cover Levenshulme and the wider South Manchester area, and we’re always happy to pop out for a no-obligation quote.

Get in touch to find out what your tree needs — and how we can help get it back in shape.