While schools stay on top of classroom repairs, playground safety, and building maintenance, the care of trees often slips under the radar. Yet, trees play a major role in creating a safe, attractive, and sustainable school environment — and neglecting them can cause real problems.
At Woodfelder Tree Care, we work with schools and academies across Manchester and Stockport, helping them stay safe, compliant, and green through regular, professional tree maintenance. Here’s why every school should have a clear plan in place.
1. Ensuring Safety on School Grounds
Safety is always the number one priority in schools. Large trees might look solid, but without regular maintenance, they can become a hidden hazard.
Overgrown branches, dead limbs, and decaying trees can all pose risks — especially during high winds or storms. Falling branches or a partial tree failure can lead to serious injuries, damage to buildings, or blocked pathways.
Routine tree inspections and maintenance help prevent these incidents before they happen. A proper maintenance plan should include:
Crown reductions or thinning to manage size and reduce wind resistance.
Deadwood removal to eliminate weak or decaying limbs.
Tree health assessments to detect early signs of disease such as Ash Dieback or canker.
Root zone inspections where movement or trip hazards are a concern.
By addressing problems early, schools can maintain a safe site for pupils, staff, and visitors — while reducing emergency call-outs and unexpected costs.
2. Supporting Legal Compliance and Duty of Care
Schools and local authorities have a legal duty of care to manage the trees on their property safely. Failing to do so can lead to liability if a branch or tree fails and causes injury or damage.
At Woodfelder Tree Care, we help schools meet this responsibility by providing:
Tree safety inspections by qualified arborists.
Full RAMS (Risk Assessments and Method Statements) for every project.
CHAS Advanced accreditation, demonstrating compliance with national health and safety standards.
DBS-checked staff for peace of mind when working on school grounds.
Having a documented maintenance schedule and inspection record also helps schools stay compliant with insurance requirements and local authority expectations.
3. Enhancing Aesthetic Appeal
A well-kept landscape makes a big difference to how a school looks and feels. Healthy, well-maintained trees create an inviting environment that students, parents, and staff can take pride in.
Regular pruning keeps trees balanced and tidy, improving visibility and natural light in classrooms and outdoor areas. It also prevents branches from encroaching on play areas, pathways, and roofs — all while maintaining the natural beauty of the grounds.
We’ve seen first-hand how much difference it makes. From the bright, open frontage at Withington Girls’ School after our oak reduction, to the improved access and light levels at Bramhall High School, thoughtful maintenance enhances both appearance and safety.
4. Promoting Sustainability and Environmental Education
Schools are the perfect place to demonstrate sustainability in action — and responsible tree care is part of that.
Healthy trees:
Improve air quality by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen.
Provide shade and reduce heat, helping to keep classrooms cooler in summer.
Support biodiversity, giving birds, insects, and small mammals valuable habitats.
Prevent soil erosion, protecting the school’s grounds from wear and runoff.
By maintaining trees rather than neglecting or removing them unnecessarily, schools teach students about environmental responsibility and stewardship.
We also recycle 100% of our green waste: woodchip is supplied to local allotments, parks, and community gardens for mulch, while remaining timber is repurposed or processed through renewable biomass facilities.
5. Preventing Costly Repairs and Emergencies
Regular tree maintenance is far more cost-effective than dealing with emergencies. A neglected tree can cause damage to buildings, fences, or playgrounds — or require a full removal when decay goes unnoticed.
Scheduled inspections and planned maintenance reduce these risks. It’s much cheaper to remove a weak limb than a whole fallen tree, and proactive management helps extend the life of your trees.
For schools operating on tight budgets, that’s a crucial saving.
6. Creating a Positive Learning Environment
Research consistently shows that access to green spaces boosts student wellbeing and concentration. Trees make school grounds calmer, greener, and more inspiring — but they only stay that way if properly managed.
A tidy, well-kept environment:
Reduces stress for students and staff.
Encourages outdoor learning and recreation.
Creates pride in the school’s appearance and atmosphere.
We’ve seen this across many of the schools we support — including Ladybarn Primary, Broadoak Primary, and Green End Primary — where regular pruning and deadwood removal have improved light levels, aesthetics, and safety without compromising character.
7. Why Work With Professional Tree Surgeons
Tree surgery in schools isn’t just another maintenance job. It involves working near children, buildings, and play areas — often within tight spaces and strict time windows.
That’s why you need a qualified, insured, and accredited team.
At Woodfelder Tree Care, we bring:
✅ CHAS Advanced accreditation for health and safety compliance.
✅ Fully insured teams – £5M Public Liability and £10M Employers’ Liability.
✅ Experienced arborists trained to NPTC standards.
✅ Work scheduled around school calendars – we routinely carry out major works during half term, summer, and Christmas holidays.
✅ Clear communication and aftercare, with references available from local schools.
Final Thoughts
Regular tree maintenance isn’t just about keeping your site neat — it’s about creating a safe, sustainable, and inspiring environment for learning.
By working with a trusted, professional contractor, you can ensure:
Safer school grounds year-round.
Healthy, long-lived trees.
Fewer disruptions and lower long-term costs.
At Woodfelder Tree Care, we provide reliable, fully compliant tree care for schools across Manchester and Stockport.
If you’re a facilities manager, headteacher, or site supervisor, get in touch to arrange a free site visit and maintenance plan. We’ll handle the risk assessments, scheduling, and safe delivery — so you can focus on running your school.
📞 Call 0161 327 3011 or visit woodfeldertreecare.co.uk.
Professional, organised, and ready to help — that’s Manchester’s most reliable tree surgeons.