Colchester City Council Tree Maintenance Service

We can provide the following tree work services to Colchester residents. If you would like a quote you must complete the private tree work form.

Available services

Crown lifting:

Removing the lowest branches of a tree to create more clearance below. This can be done to various heights to suit the tree or situation as appropriate.

Cutting back from a building:

Pruning a tree back from a building helps to prevent unwanted damage to the property. We can do this up to a height of around 6m (house gutter height).

Cutting back overhang from trees or bushes on neighbouring properties:

Cutting back a tree’s overhanging branches in various circumstances, this could be from over a garden or driveway - usually back to a boundary line.

Felling and stump treatment:

Where space allows we can fell trees, we can also treat the stump to prevent it re-growing.

Coppicing:

Coppicing is a tree management technique where the tree is removed while leaving a slightly higher than normal stump. This will then regrow as multiple new stems.

Formative pruning:

This is the shaping of young trees to encourage healthy and desirable future growth.

Clearing of fallen trees:

The clearance of fallen trees due to extreme weather or poor health.

Epicormic growth removal:

Epicormic growth occurs at the base of a tree or on its trunk as multiple small shoots. Removing these helps the tree to grow in a desirable shape and can assist with future inspections.

Tree planting:

Planting new trees using stakes and tree ties to support the tree while it establishes a healthy root system.

We can also provide aftercare such as watering, tie adjustment and formative pruning.

Hedge trimming and reductions:

Trimming or reducing a hedge by a significant amount in height and/or width.

Services that are not available:

• Reducing a tree in size all over.
• Pollarding – This is the removal of all live growth back to a bare stem or major branches. Often used as a management technique for fast growing species like Lime, Willow and Polar.
• Felling/removal of large trees where space is restricted - where a tree is too large to be felled into the surrounding area it would need to be dismantled in sections.
• Cutting back overhang or away from buildings above 6m.
• The use of a stump grinding machine to remove tree stumps.
• Removal of dead branches over 5m.

Fees and charges

These costs are a guide and will be confirmed during the quotation process.

Important Warning to Residents: Scam Alert in Colchester

We would like to warn all residents that scammers are currently operating in the Colchester area, falsely claiming to represent the council or official services. These individuals may approach residents offering tree work or other services, often targeting the elderly or vulnerable, and may use tactics such as wearing lanyards or providing fake invoices to appear legitimate.

Be aware that council staff will never ask for payment on the spot or carry out work without prior notice and proper identification. If you are ever unsure about someone claiming to be from the council, do not hand over any money. Instead, contact the council directly to verify their identity and report any suspicious activity to the police.