At Woodfelder Tree Care, we regularly work on trees in tight, high-traffic areas — and this job on Mauldeth Road West in Withington was no exception. Our team was called in to remove a large Lime tree located at the front of a residential property, with several constraints that required careful planning and precise execution.

The Situation

The Lime tree in question had outgrown its location. It was growing out of a boundary hedge at the front of the property, just a few feet from the house. The client explained that it had been causing several issues for some time:

• It was blocking out most of the natural light from the front garden and windows

• It had developed a significant amount of deadwood, raising concerns about safety

• Its location made it difficult to manage, particularly as it continued to grow in size

In addition to those factors, three telephone wires ran closely on either side of the crown, and a busy footpath passed directly in front of the property. This made it clear that the removal would need to be carried out with extra care to ensure public safety and avoid disruption.

Permission and Planning

Before any work could take place, we contacted the Local Planning Authority to confirm that the tree was not subject to a Tree Preservation Order (TPO). This is something we do routinely before any significant works — particularly in built-up or conservation-sensitive areas. In this case, the tree was not protected, and we received confirmation that no formal consent was required.

Preparing the Site

Given the location and constraints, we took a number of measures to set up the site safely:

• Warning signs and cones were placed to manage foot traffic along the pavement

• A temporary exclusion zone was created around the work area

• All lowering was done using controlled rigging systems, allowing us to remove branches in small sections 

This allowed us to work efficiently while ensuring there was no risk to pedestrians, vehicles, or the nearby telephone cables.

Carrying Out the Work

With the rigging system in place and ground crew positioned, we began dismantling the Lime tree in sections. The weather held up well on the day, which made the process smooth and straightforward — always appreciated when working with ropes and rigging.

We removed the tree down to hedge height, which meant the remaining hedge line remained intact without leaving a noticeable gap. This was important to the client, who wanted to keep the visual boundary along the front of the property.

As part of the job, we also removed a boundary privet hedge that was between the client’s house and the neighbouring property. The client was planning to install a new wooden fence in its place, so our task was to clear the section completely to make way for the next phase of their garden plans.

All waste was removed from site, and the area was left tidy and ready for the next step in the project.

Outcome

The result was a cleaner, more open space at the front of the property, with significantly improved light levels and better visibility from the house. Removing the tree reduced the maintenance burden and resolved the client’s concerns about deadwood and structural issues near the footpath.

Need a Tree Removed from a Difficult Location?

We specialise in working on trees in challenging urban settings — near roads, buildings, cables or footpaths. Whether you’re managing safety concerns, planning a garden redesign, or just dealing with an oversized tree, we can help.

We:

• Liaise with local councils to check TPO and conservation area status

• Use safe rigging systems for controlled dismantling

• Provide clear advice based on the condition, location, and constraints of each tree

If you’re considering removing a tree and want it done safely and professionally, get in touch with us for a free quote and site visit.