Tree Pruning
Tree Pruning in Dundee
Ardilla Landscapes carries out tree pruning and crown reduction across Dundee and the surrounding area. Overgrown trees, trees with dead wood, trees that have grown too close to a building or boundary, or trees that simply need bringing back into shape. We assess each tree first and carry out the pruning work correctly.
Pruning done badly can damage a tree for years. A cut in the wrong place, or removing too much at once, introduces disease and weakens the structure. We work to sound arboricultural practice: the right cut in the right place, no more taken off than the tree will tolerate in a single season.
What's Included
Types of Tree Pruning We Carry Out
Different trees in different situations need different pruning approaches. Here is what we cover and what each type of work involves.
Crown reduction
Reducing the overall size of the tree's crown by shortening branches back to suitable growth points. Used where a tree has outgrown its space or is causing shade, overhanging issues, or proximity problems with buildings and boundaries.
Crown thinning
Removing selected branches throughout the crown to increase light and air movement without changing the overall shape or size of the tree. Good for trees that are structurally sound but dense and heavy.
Dead wood removal
Removing dead, dying, or diseased branches from the crown. Dead wood is a safety risk and a source of decay. We work through the crown systematically and remove it cleanly with cuts that allow the tree to seal over the wound properly.
Crown lifting
Removing or shortening the lower branches of the tree to raise the canopy height. Used where low branches are obstructing light, access, sight lines, or vehicles and pedestrians.
Formative pruning
Shaping young trees to develop a sound structure from the early years. Good formative pruning prevents the structural problems that require heavy intervention later. We advise on the right approach for the species and situation.
All arisings removed
All branches, timber, and debris produced by the pruning work are cleared from the site before we leave. Timber is cut to manageable sections and removed. You are not left with a pile of branches to deal with.
Why Choose Ardilla
The Right Cut Matters as Much as the Branch Removed
Tree pruning is not just about taking branches off. Where you cut, how much you take, and what growth point you cut back to all affect how the tree responds and whether the wound closes cleanly. A bad pruning cut leaves a wound that stays open, allows disease in, and can compromise a branch or stem for years. We do not rush the assessment before we start and we do not cut beyond what the tree will tolerate in one visit.
Dundee and Angus have a range of mature garden trees that need careful, considered management. Our team carries out tree pruning across Dundee every week. We are direct about what a tree needs, what it can tolerate, and when removal is the more honest answer.
- Crown reduction, thinning, lifting, and dead wood removal
- Assessment before any pruning begins
- Cuts made to correct growth points
- TPO and conservation area guidance
- All arisings removed from site
Common Tree Pruning Situations
Overgrown garden trees
Trees that have grown larger than the space allows, causing shade, root problems, or overhanging issues. Crown reduction brings the tree back into proportion without removing it. We advise on how much can realistically be taken off in one season.
Trees near buildings or boundaries
Trees close to a house, wall, or fence where branches are touching, overhanging, or growing into the structure. Careful pruning removes the problem growth without destabilising the tree or causing damage to what is beneath.
Dead wood and safety work
Dead or hanging branches above gardens, paths, or where people are passing. We clear dead wood throughout the crown and make the tree safe. This is often the most urgent type of pruning call we receive.
Neglected trees requiring restoration
Trees that have not been pruned in years and have developed crossing, rubbing, or poorly structured branches. Restoration pruning is staged over more than one season to avoid taking too much off at once.
Not sure whether your tree needs pruning or removing? Call us and we will give you an honest assessment.
Where We Work
Tree Pruning Across Dundee and the Surrounding Area
We carry out tree pruning and crown reduction across the whole of Dundee and the surrounding area. We regularly work in Broughty Ferry, the West End, Lochee, Stobswell, Downfield, and Monifieth, and also cover Perth, Carnoustie, Arbroath, and North Fife.
Not sure if we reach you? Call us on 07478 417566 and we will confirm the same day.
Areas we cover
- West End
- Broughty Ferry
- Lochee
- Stobswell
- Downfield
- Monifieth
- Carnoustie
- Perth
- North Fife
- Arbroath
- Hilltown
- Kirkton
And surrounding towns across Angus and Fife.
Common Questions
Tree Pruning FAQs
- What is the difference between tree pruning and tree removal?
- Pruning is the selective removal of branches to manage the size, shape, or health of a tree that you want to keep. Removal is taking the whole tree out. Pruning is often the right answer where a tree is healthy but has become too large, is causing shade or overhang, or has structural issues that can be corrected.
- Can pruning prevent a tree from needing to be removed?
- Yes, in many cases. A tree that is becoming too large for its space can often be brought back into proportion with crown reduction. A tree with structural problems can sometimes be corrected with formative work before the issue becomes critical. We will tell you honestly whether pruning is a realistic solution or whether removal is the better long-term answer.
- How much can be taken off a tree in one go?
- As a general guideline, no more than a quarter to a third of the live crown should be removed in a single season. Taking more than this stresses the tree and can trigger dieback or poor wound closure. For trees that need significant reduction, staged work over more than one season is the safer approach.
- Does pruning damage a tree?
- Pruning done correctly does not damage a tree. Every cut creates a wound, but trees are designed to seal over pruning wounds when the cut is made in the right place. Cuts that are too large, in the wrong position, or that leave stubs will not seal properly and allow decay in. The skill is in making cuts that the tree can close.
- Does a tree need permission to be pruned in Dundee?
- If the tree has a Tree Preservation Order or is within a conservation area, you will need permission from Dundee City Council before carrying out pruning work. We can advise on whether your tree is likely to be protected when we visit. Do not assume it is fine to proceed without checking.
- What happens to the branches and timber after pruning?
- All branches and timber produced by the pruning work are removed from your property before we leave. We chip smaller material on site where we can and remove the rest. You are not left with a pile of branches or timber to deal with.
Other Tree Services
Tree Pruning in Dundee: Get a Free Quote
Call us on 07478 417566 or fill in the contact form and we will arrange a free site visit the next day.