With the site prepared and the team briefed, work begins. What happens during the tree surgery process varies depending on the scope of the job, but the execution phase always follows a methodical, safety-first approach.

Tree Pruning and Crown Work

For tree pruning safety, our climbers ascend using a combination of techniques – typically Moving Rope System (MRS) or Stationary Rope System (SRS) climbing – securing themselves to anchor points within the canopy. All climbing systems are rigged to hold many times the weight of the climber in the event of a fall.

Pruning cuts are made to British Standard BS 3998 (Recommendations for Tree Work), ensuring the tree is not over-pruned, that cuts are made at the correct location to encourage healthy regrowth, and that the structural integrity of the tree is preserved wherever possible.

Tree Dismantling Process

Where a tree needs to be removed – particularly in confined spaces or near structures – we use a sectional dismantling process. Rather than felling the tree in one piece, our climbers work from the top down, removing sections piece by piece. Each section is attached to a rigging system and lowered safely to the ground team, who process the wood and clear the area.

This tree dismantling process requires constant communication between the climber and the ground crew. Hand signals, radio communication, and clear verbal commands are all used to ensure that nobody is beneath a section when it is being lowered or dropped.

Straight Felling

Where space permits – typically in open woodland or large gardens – straight felling may be used. This involves cutting a directional notch and a back cut to guide the tree to fall in a predetermined direction. Even in open areas, a detailed felling plan is made, escape routes are identified, and the exclusion zone is established before the first cut is made.

Once the primary tree work is complete, the job isn’t finished. A professional team leaves a site clean, safe, and tidy — and that’s exactly what we do.

Wood is processed through our wood chipper where appropriate, with chippings either taken away or, if the client prefers, left on site for use as mulch. Larger timber sections can be cut to log lengths for firewood. Stumps can be ground down using our stump grinding equipment, preventing regrowth and restoring the ground surface.

All equipment is packed down safely, exclusion zones are removed, and a final site check is carried out. Before leaving, we walk the site with the client to ensure they are entirely satisfied and to answer any questions about aftercare or follow-up work.

Knowing how tree surgeons work is one thing – but knowing that they are properly qualified to do so gives you the confidence that your property and safety are in the right hands when you need tree work done.

At West Country Tree Services, our team holds qualifications through the National Proficiency Tests Council (NPTC), the gold standard for tree surgeon qualifications in the UK. Relevant certificates of competence include:

• CS30 and CS31 — Safe use of a chainsaw (ground and cross-cutting)

• CS38 — Felling and processing trees up to 380mm

• CS39 — Felling and processing trees over 380mm

• CS41 — Maintaining and sharpening chainsaws

• PA1 and PA6A — Application of pesticides and herbicides (where applicable)

• NPTC Level 3 Award in Aerial Tree Rigging

Our team also holds First Aid at Work certification, ensuring that in the unlikely event of an incident on site, immediate and appropriate response is available.

All lifting equipment is subject to LOLER inspections at the required intervals, and documentation is maintained and available on request. We operate in full compliance with Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidance for arboricultural operations, including the industry code of practice produced by the Arboricultural Association.

When you choose a tree surgeon, always ask about their qualifications and insurance. Reputable tree surgery companies will be happy to provide evidence of both. Tree surgeon safety standards in the UK are well-established, and there is no reason to accept anything less.

Responsible tree work goes beyond physical safety – it also means protecting the natural environment. This is an area that is sometimes overlooked but is central to how we operate at West Country Tree Services.

Before any tree work is carried out, we conduct a wildlife survey appropriate to the scope and nature of the job. This includes checking for:

Nesting Birds

Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it is a criminal offence to intentionally damage, destroy, or take any wild bird’s nest while it is in use or being built. The nesting season typically runs from late February to August, although some species nest outside of this window. Before pruning or removing any tree during this period, our team carefully inspects for active nests. If nesting activity is found, work is postponed until the nest is no longer in use.

Bats

Bats and their roosts are protected under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017. Trees – particularly mature trees with cavities, loose bark, or dense ivy – can provide important bat roosting habitat. Where there is a reasonable likelihood of bat presence, we will flag this to our client and recommend a bat survey by a licensed bat ecologist before proceeding. Failure to comply with bat protection legislation can result in significant penalties, and we take this responsibility seriously.

Other Protected Species

Depending on the location, tree work sites may also require consideration of other species such as dormice, great crested newts, or certain invertebrates associated with veteran trees. Our team is trained to identify the signs of protected species and to escalate accordingly when required.

Working within the law and in harmony with nature is not just good practice – it reflects a genuine respect for the ecosystems that trees support.

Tree surgery is consistently ranked as one of the most physically demanding and potentially hazardous occupations in the UK. The combination of working at height, operating powerful machinery, and managing heavy, unpredictable loads means that tree cutting safety procedures must be rigorous, consistent, and never cut short.

Every protocol described in this guide exists for a reason. Every piece of PPE, every risk assessment, every LOLER inspection, and every wildlife check is part of a professional system designed to ensure that tree work is carried out safely – for our team, for you, and for the environment around us.

At West Country Tree Services, we are proud to uphold the highest standards of tree surgery safety across Somerset, Devon, and the wider West Country. When you hire us, you’re not just getting a team with the tools to do the job – you’re getting a team with the training, qualifications, and care to do it properly.

Whether you’ve noticed warning signs in one of your trees, need emergency work following storm damage, or simply want a professional assessment of the trees on your property, West Country Tree Services is here to help. Based in Bath and covering the wider Wiltshire and South West region, our experienced, fully qualified, and insured team offers a complete range of tree surgery services, including: tree felling, stump removal and hedgework. We also supply and deliver seasoned firewood.

Visit our website to find out more about our tree services in

• Swindon

• Trowbridge

• Warminster

• Westbury

• Wiltshire