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FAQs
Tree Surgery & Landscaping Questions Answered
Straight answers to the questions we are asked most often about tree work, protected trees, hedges, stumps and landscaping.
- Fully insured
- Free, no-obligation quotes
- Open 24/7
- All waste removed
General questions
Are Arbor & Stone insured?
Yes. We are fully insured for tree surgery, including tree felling, and for landscaping work.
Do you give free quotes?
Yes. Quotes are free and with no obligation. Call 07810 540893, use our quote form, or send photos on WhatsApp for a quick guide price.
Which areas do you cover?
We are based in Ashford (TW15) and cover the TW postcodes and everywhere within about 15 miles, including Hampton, Twickenham, Teddington, Richmond, Kingston, Hounslow, Feltham, Sunbury, Shepperton, Staines, Egham, Chertsey, Walton-on-Thames, Weybridge, East Molesey and Windsor.
Do you clear up after the work?
Yes. All branches, timber and green waste are removed, and we rake and blow the area clean before we leave.
Do you work at weekends?
Yes. We work seven days a week and are available 24 hours a day.
Do you check whether a tree is protected?
Yes. Before any work we check for Tree Preservation Orders and conservation areas with the local council, and can help with the application or notice if one is needed.
Tree Removal
How much does tree removal cost?
It depends on the size of the tree, the access and what is around it. A small garden tree may take a couple of hours, while a large tree over a building can take a full day for a team. We give free, fixed written quotes – send photos on WhatsApp to 07810 540893 for a guide price.
Do I need permission to cut down a tree in my garden?
Usually not, unless the tree has a Tree Preservation Order or is in a conservation area. For a TPO tree you must apply to the council for consent; in a conservation area you must give the council six weeks’ notice for trees with a trunk over 7.5cm in diameter. We check this for you before any work starts.
Will you take all the wood and branches away?
Yes. Branches are chipped on site and all timber is removed, unless you would like to keep logs. We leave the garden clean and tidy.
Can you remove a tree if there is no rear access?
Yes. We carry everything out through a side passage or through the house with floor protection, and use ropes and rigging to lower sections where there is no room to fell.
How long does it take to remove a tree?
Most garden trees are removed in a single day, including clear-up. Very large trees or difficult access can take longer, and we will tell you in advance.
Crown Reduction
How much can be taken off a tree in a crown reduction?
As a general rule, no more than about 25–30% of the leaf area in one operation. That is usually enough to make a noticeable difference to height, spread and light without harming the tree.
Will the tree grow back after a crown reduction?
Yes – a healthy tree will put on new growth. Most reduced trees need maintaining every three to five years, depending on the species and how vigorous the tree is.
What is the best time of year for a crown reduction?
Late autumn to winter suits most deciduous trees. Cherries and plums are better done in summer. We check for nesting birds during the spring and summer.
Is crown reduction the same as topping?
No. Crown reduction cuts back to growth points and keeps the natural shape. Topping cuts the tree flat across, which causes decay and weak regrowth. We do not top trees.
Do I need permission for a crown reduction?
Only if the tree has a Tree Preservation Order or is in a conservation area. We check the status of the tree and can help with the application or notice.
Crown Lifting
How high can a tree be crown lifted?
Enough to give the clearance you need – typically 2.4m over paths and around 5.2m over roads – while leaving the tree with plenty of live crown. On large trees this is sometimes done in stages.
Will crown lifting harm my tree?
Not when it is done correctly. We avoid removing large limbs where possible and make clean cuts that allow the tree to seal the wounds.
Can you crown lift a pine or conifer?
Yes. Pines in particular respond well to crown lifting and it is one of the best ways to bring light back into a garden shaded by them.
Can crown lifting be combined with other work?
Yes. It is often done in the same visit as a crown reduction, thinning, hedge trimming or tree removal.
Pollarding
How often does a pollarded tree need cutting?
Usually every one to three years, depending on the species and growth rate. Regular re-pollarding keeps the tree healthy and safe.
Will pollarding kill my tree?
No – suitable species regrow strongly after pollarding. Problems happen when a mature tree is pollarded for the first time, or when an established pollard is neglected for many years.
Which trees can be pollarded?
Lime, London plane, willow, sycamore, mulberry, catalpa and several other species respond well. Most conifers, birch and beech do not.
Can you pollard an old tree that has never been pollarded?
Generally we do not recommend it. A crown reduction is usually a safer way to reduce the size of a mature tree.
Stump Grinding
How deep do you grind a tree stump?
Normally around 150–300mm below ground level, which is deep enough to lay turf or plant over. We can go deeper where a patio or other construction is planned.
What happens to the chippings after stump grinding?
We can backfill the hole with them or remove them and top the area with soil. Let us know which you prefer when we quote.
Can you get a stump grinder through a side gate?
Usually yes – we use a narrow-access machine that fits through most garden gates and paths.
Can I plant a new tree where the old stump was?
It is better to plant a little to one side, because old roots and woodchip remain in the ground for some time.
Do you grind stumps from trees you did not fell?
Yes. We remove stumps of any age, whoever cut the tree down.
Hedge Trimming
How often should a hedge be trimmed?
Most formal hedges need one to three trims a year. Fast growers such as privet and leylandii may need more; slower hedges like yew and beech usually need just one or two.
When is the best time to trim a hedge?
Late summer is ideal for most hedges, after the main bird nesting season. Light trims can be done at other times, but we always check for active nests first, as they are protected by law.
Can you reduce the height of a tall leylandii hedge?
Yes, we can reduce the height. Leylandii does not regrow from bare brown wood, so we take care not to cut the sides back beyond the green growth.
Do you take the hedge cuttings away?
Yes. All waste is collected and removed, and paths, drives and lawns are blown clean.
Do you trim hedges for businesses and churches?
Yes. We maintain hedges and boundaries for commercial and community sites as well as private homes.
Landscaping
Do you help with garden design?
Yes. We help you plan the layout, choose materials and make the most of the space, then build it.
How long does it take to lay a patio?
It depends on the size, the ground and the material. Most garden patios take from a few days to a couple of weeks, including groundworks. We give you a timescale with your quote.
Porcelain or natural stone – which is better?
Porcelain is very hard-wearing, stain-resistant and easy to keep clean. Natural stone such as sandstone has a softer, traditional look but needs more maintenance. We can show you samples of both.
Do I need planning permission for a patio?
Usually not for a back garden. In a front garden, paving over more than five square metres with an impermeable surface that drains onto the road needs planning permission – a permeable surface, or one that drains to a lawn or border, does not.
Can you remove trees and stumps before landscaping?
Yes. As tree surgeons we can clear trees, hedges and stumps first, then build the new garden as one project.
Emergency Tree Work
Will my insurance cover a fallen tree?
Home insurance often covers the removal of a tree that has damaged your property, but not always the clean-up of a tree that has fallen without causing damage. Check with your insurer – we can give you a written quote and photos to support a claim.
Who is responsible if a neighbour’s tree falls into my garden?
Generally the owner of the tree is responsible, particularly if the tree was known to be unsafe. Talk to your neighbour and your insurer; we can work with either.
What hours do you work?
We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For a dangerous tree, call 07810 540893 and we will do our best to help as quickly as possible.
Get your free, no-obligation quote
Call 07810 540893, send photos on WhatsApp, or tell us about the job online. We cover Hampton, Twickenham and everywhere within 15 miles.