Skip to main content

How to Safely and Correctly Trim a Tree That is Too Tall

It’s a common dilemma for property owners across Staffordshire: that beautiful oak or conifer you planted years ago is now soaring into the sky, threatening power lines, blocking sunlight, or simply overwhelming your garden. When a tree becomes too tall, the instinct is often to reach for a saw. But trimming a mature, tall tree is one of the most dangerous tasks a homeowner can face, and doing it incorrectly can cause permanent damage, or even kill, your tree.

At Tree Work Staffs, we believe in educating our clients on proper arboricultural practice. Here is the professional method for safely and effectively reducing a tree’s height.

The One Thing You Must NEVER Do: Tree Topping

Before discussing the correct approach, we must address the most common, yet most damaging, mistake: Topping.

Tree topping is the indiscriminate cutting of large branches and main stems in the upper crown, often leaving behind unsightly stubs. While it immediately reduces the tree’s height, reputable tree surgeons strongly advise against it because it:

  1. Causes Starvation & Shock: Removing too much of the canopy (the crown) at once severely limits the tree’s ability to photosynthesise, effectively starving it. This also puts the tree in a state of shock, which can lead to rapid decline.
  2. Creates Dangerous Regrowth: The tree desperately tries to recover by sprouting numerous vertical, weak shoots, known as “water sprouts.” These sprouts are poorly attached and grow very quickly, creating a dense, brush-like, and highly susceptible canopy that is prone to breaking off in high winds.
  3. Invites Disease and Pests: Large, blunt cuts heal slowly, if at all. This exposes the heartwood to water, decay, insects, and diseases, severely compromising the structural integrity of the tree.

The result of topping is a deformed, structurally weak, and potentially dangerous tree.

The Professional Solution: Crown Reduction

The correct, industry-standard method for reducing the height and spread of a tree is called Crown Reduction. This technique, which must be carried out by a qualified and insured arborist, focuses on a slow, deliberate, and strategic approach.

1. Strategic Cuts to Encourage Lateral Growth

Instead of lopping off the top, a professional arborist will shorten the main branches throughout the crown by cutting them back to a strong, well-placed, live side branch or lateral bud.

  • This process ensures that the overall shape and structure of the tree is maintained, resulting in a more natural appearance.
  • The cut is made just above the selected lateral branch, which then takes over as the dominant terminal point. This redirects the tree’s energy away from vertical growth and encourages healthy lateral (sideways) growth instead.

2. Respecting the Branch Collar

A proper pruning cut is crucial for the tree’s long-term health. The cut must be made just outside the branch collar—the slight swelling where the branch joins the trunk or a larger limb. The collar contains specialised tissue that allows the tree to create a protective barrier (callus) over the wound, preventing decay from entering the main trunk. Incorrect cuts that damage the collar or leave a long stub will hinder this natural healing process.

3. Safety and Access

Trimming a tall tree requires specialised equipment and training. Our team uses professional climbing gear, harnesses, and rigging techniques to safely access and dismantle branches in small, manageable pieces. This protects your property from falling debris and, most importantly, keeps our team safe.

If your tree requires work near structures or power lines, or if the branches are thicker than your wrist, it is a high-risk task that necessitates a professional, insured tree surgeon.

Do You Need a Tree Surgeon in Staffordshire?

Reducing the size of a too-tall tree is not a DIY job. It requires a nuanced understanding of tree biology, structural integrity, and complex rigging techniques.If you have a tall tree that needs professional attention, trust the experts at Tree Work Staffs. We are fully qualified and insured to perform safe and effective Crown Reduction that will keep your tree healthy, beautiful, and in check for years to come.