Professional Tree Felling Services
Tree felling is the complete removal of a tree, usually carried out when a tree is dead, diseased, dangerous, structurally unstable or unsuitable for its location. At Oxleas Tree Care, our experienced tree surgeons provide professional tree felling services across London, South East London and Kent for homeowners, businesses, schools, housing associations, local authorities and commercial property managers.
Every tree and site is different. Before recommending tree felling, our team assesses the condition of the tree, its location, surrounding buildings and structures, access requirements and any potential risks. Where removal is necessary, we plan the work carefully to ensure the tree can be felled or dismantled safely and efficiently with minimal disruption to the surrounding property.
When Does a Tree Need to Be Felled?
Where possible, good tree management aims to retain healthy trees. However, there are circumstances where tree felling may be the safest or most practical solution.
Tree removal may be recommended when:
- A tree is dead or dying
- The tree has significant decay or structural defects
- Disease has seriously affected the health of the tree
- Storm damage has made the tree unstable
- The tree presents a risk to people or property
- Roots are causing significant problems to surrounding areas
- A tree has outgrown an unsuitable location
- The tree is obstructing approved building or development work
- Other appropriate tree management options are no longer suitable
Our tree surgeons will assess the tree before recommending removal and explain the options available.
How Do We Safely Fell a Tree?
The method used to remove a tree depends on its size, condition, location and the amount of space surrounding it.
Where there is sufficient clear space and conditions allow, a tree may be felled from ground level in a controlled direction. However, many trees in residential and built-up areas are located close to houses, garages, roads, fences, neighbouring properties and other obstacles.
In these situations, our tree surgeons can use sectional dismantling, removing the tree progressively in manageable sections. Specialist climbing, rigging and lowering techniques can be used where necessary to control branches and sections of timber as they are brought safely to ground level.
Before work begins, we assess the site and determine the safest and most appropriate method of removal.
Tree Felling in Confined & Difficult Locations
Removing a large tree does not always require a large open space.
Our experienced tree surgeons regularly work in gardens and sites where access is restricted or trees are positioned close to buildings, boundaries and other valuable features.
Careful planning, specialist equipment and professional rigging techniques allow sections of the tree to be dismantled and lowered in a controlled manner, helping to protect surrounding property, landscaping and structures.
For particularly complex tree removals, the work may require specialist access equipment or additional machinery. This will be identified during the initial assessment and incorporated into the planned method of work.
Do I Need Permission to Fell a Tree?
Not every tree can be legally felled without first checking whether restrictions apply.
A tree may be protected by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) or be located within a Conservation Area. In these circumstances, permission or notification may be required before tree work can take place.
Depending on the nature and scale of the work, other regulations may also need to be considered.
Our team can help identify whether restrictions may apply and advise you on the appropriate steps before work begins.
If you are unsure whether a tree on your property is protected, speak to Oxleas Tree Care before arranging its removal.
Tree Preservation Orders & Conservation Areas
Tree Preservation Orders are used by local planning authorities to protect trees considered to have significant amenity value. Carrying out unauthorised work to a protected tree can have serious consequences.
Trees within Conservation Areas can also be subject to additional controls.
This is why checking the status of a tree should form part of the planning process for tree felling. Our experience working throughout London, South East London and Kent means we regularly encounter trees subject to planning and conservation considerations.
What Happens After a Tree Is Felled?
Once the tree has been removed, we can process and remove the resulting branches, timber and green waste, leaving the working area safe and tidy.
If you also want the remaining tree stump removed, Oxleas Tree Care provides professional stump grinding services.
Stump grinding removes the main stump to below ground level, helping to remove a potential trip hazard and making it easier to replant, landscape or repurpose the area.
Our team can discuss both tree felling and stump removal when preparing your quotation.
Emergency Tree Felling & Dangerous Trees
Storms, high winds, structural failure and falling branches can turn a previously stable tree into an immediate safety concern.
If a tree has fallen, partially failed or become dangerously unstable, it should be assessed by an experienced tree professional rather than approached or attempted as a DIY removal.
Oxleas Tree Care provides emergency tree services for dangerous and storm-damaged trees. Our team can assess the situation, determine the safest approach and undertake the necessary work to make the area safe.
Domestic Tree Felling
Whether you have a single problematic tree in your garden or several trees requiring attention, our tree surgeons provide professional tree felling services for homeowners and residential properties.
We understand that residential tree removal often involves working close to houses, sheds, fences, neighbouring gardens and established landscaping. Every job is therefore planned around the individual property, with careful consideration given to access, safety and minimising disruption.
Commercial Tree Felling
Oxleas Tree Care also provides tree felling and tree management services for commercial and public-sector sites.
We work with organisations including:
- Businesses
- Schools
- Housing associations
- Property managers
- Local authorities
- Commercial landlords
- Contractors
- Public-sector organisations
From individual dangerous trees to larger planned tree works, our team can provide a professional service appropriate to the requirements of the site.
Why Use a Professional Tree Surgeon for Tree Felling?
Tree felling can be hazardous, particularly when dealing with large, mature, damaged or unstable trees.
Professional tree surgeons understand how tree structure, weight distribution, surrounding obstacles and environmental conditions affect the removal process. They also have access to the specialist equipment required to dismantle and control trees safely.
Using an experienced tree surgery company helps ensure that the work is properly assessed, planned and carried out with appropriate consideration for people, property and the surrounding environment.
Tree Felling Across London, South East London & Kent
Oxleas Tree Care provides professional tree felling services throughout London, South East London and Kent, including:
Bromley, Beckenham, Chislehurst, Greenwich, Lewisham, Croydon, Dartford, Sevenoaks, Bexleyheath, Sidcup, Welling, Biggin Hill, West Wickham, Swanley, Woolwich, Belvedere, Erith and Gravesend, as well as surrounding areas.
If you require a tree surgeon in your area, contact our team to discuss the condition of your tree and arrange an assessment.
Tree Felling FAQs
What is tree felling?
Tree felling is the complete removal of a tree. Depending on its location, a tree may be felled in one piece where sufficient space is available or carefully dismantled in sections where buildings, roads, boundaries or other obstacles are nearby.
How do I know if a tree needs to be felled?
A tree may need to be removed if it is dead, dying, significantly diseased, structurally unstable, badly storm damaged or presents an unacceptable risk to people or property. A professional tree assessment can determine whether felling is necessary or whether another form of tree management would be more appropriate.
Can you remove trees close to houses?
Yes. Trees located close to houses and other structures can often be removed using sectional dismantling and controlled rigging techniques rather than felling the entire tree from ground level.
Do I need planning permission to fell a tree?
Permission may be required if a tree is protected by a Tree Preservation Order or is located within a Conservation Area. Other restrictions can also apply in certain circumstances. The status of the tree should therefore be checked before work begins.
What happens to the stump after tree felling?
Felling normally leaves the stump and root system in the ground. If required, we can provide stump grinding to remove the main stump below ground level and prepare the area for future landscaping or other use.
Do you remove branches and timber after felling?
Yes. We can process and remove branches, timber and associated green waste as part of the tree felling work, leaving the site clean and tidy.
Can you fell dangerous or storm-damaged trees?
Yes. Oxleas Tree Care provides emergency tree services for dangerous and storm-damaged trees. Unstable trees can be particularly hazardous, so they should be professionally assessed before removal work is attempted.
How much does tree felling cost?
The cost of tree felling depends on factors including the size and condition of the tree, its location, site access, proximity to buildings and other obstacles, the method required to remove it and whether stump grinding or additional clearance is required. We can assess the tree and provide a quotation based on the work involved.
Can you remove the stump at the same time?
Yes. Stump grinding can be arranged alongside tree felling so that the remaining stump is removed and the area can be prepared for landscaping, planting or other future use.
Do you provide commercial tree felling?
Yes. We undertake tree felling and wider tree management work for businesses, schools, housing associations, property managers, local authorities and other commercial and public-sector organisations.
What our Clients Say
Trusted by Leading Businesses and Organisations
Our experience extends beyond residential tree surgery.
Oxleas Tree Care has worked with established businesses, contractors, local authorities and public-sector organisations, demonstrating our ability to undertake professional tree works across a wide variety of sites.
From individual projects to larger commercial requirements, we bring the same focus on safety, reliability and professional workmanship to every job.
Accredited Tree Surgeons You Can Trust
Professional Standards. Recognised Accreditations. Proven Experience.
Our accreditations reflect our commitment to professional standards, health and safety and high-quality tree surgery.
For residential customers, these standards provide reassurance that their trees and property are being managed professionally.
For commercial and public-sector clients, our accreditations support the compliance, health and safety and contractor-management requirements associated with larger tree work programmes.