Guides

Planning, regulation, costs and practical advice for local projects, published by ExeterTreeService.

A tall evergreen hedge along a garden boundary casting shadow over a lawn
Rules and permits

High hedges law and complaints in Exeter

The high hedges rules in Part 8 of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 let a neighbour complain to the council about an evergreen hedge over two metres high that affects the enjoyment of a home. This guide sets out who can complain, the process and the remedial notices that can follow.
9 min read
A large garden tree with a split trunk and a visible lean against a grey sky
Explained

Signs an Exeter tree may be unsafe

Some tree defects give warning before a failure, including cracks, fungal brackets, a changing lean and dead wood in the crown. This guide explains the signs an owner in Exeter should recognise and when to ask a qualified person to inspect the tree.
7 min read
Mobile crane boom lifting a tree section above the roof of a terraced house
Costs

Why some Exeter trees need a crane

Tree work in Exeter sometimes needs a crane because the tree cannot be reached or dismantled safely from the ground or by climbing. Access is one of the largest drivers of cost, so understanding when a crane is justified helps an owner read a quote and compare methods sensibly.
7 min read
Mature garden tree with an ivy-covered trunk and a wooden nesting box on a fence
Local

Bats, birds and tree work in Exeter gardens

Garden trees in Exeter often shelter nesting birds and roosting bats, and both are protected by law whether or not the tree itself is protected. This guide explains which species are most likely to be found, when a survey is needed, how the nesting season affects the programme and what a responsible contractor should do before cutting.
7 min read
Two people standing either side of a garden fence beneath an overhanging tree
How to

Talking to neighbours about tree work in Exeter

Boundary trees cause more disputes than most garden issues, usually because the conversation was never held. This guide explains how to open the discussion, agree costs and access in writing, and check the position when a tree is protected.
7 min read
Climbing rope and harness hanging from a branch above a chainsaw on a tarpaulin
Rules and permits

Work at height and chainsaw rules for Exeter tree work

Tree work in Exeter is high-risk work, governed by the Work at Height Regulations 2005, the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 and general contractor risk duties. This guide explains what those rules mean on a tree site, what a competent crew should show and what a client can reasonably ask to see before work starts.
8 min read
Clipboard and measuring tape at the base of a tree during a site survey
Explained

What an arborist report tells Exeter owners

An arborist report records a tree's condition, risks and recommended work, and planning officers, insurers and managing agents often ask for one when a tree becomes a question. This guide explains the main types of report, when each is needed, what a good report contains and how to judge the person writing it.
7 min read
A printed quotation on a garden table with a pen and gardening gloves beside it
Costs

What an Exeter tree surgery quote should include

A tree surgery quote in Exeter should describe the pruning, the waste route, the stump work, the insurance and every consent the job needs. This guide sets out the items a written quote should list so that two offers can be compared like for like.
7 min read
A chipper parked at the kerb of a terraced street beside an overhanging tree
Local

Parking and chipper permits for Exeter tree work

Tree work in an Exeter street can need permission from the highway authority for a skip, a chipper, scaffolding or a parking suspension. This guide explains which permissions apply, the sections of the Highways Act involved and how to plan the lead times.
9 min read
A cleared suburban lawn with an open garden gate and a coil of rope on the grass
How to

What to do before an Exeter tree crew arrives

Preparing the garden for tree work in Exeter prevents most delays, from vehicles left under the canopy to neighbours who were never told. This checklist covers the site, the access, the neighbours, wildlife and the people in the household.
7 min read
An ecologist inspecting a cavity in a mature ash trunk at a woodland edge
Rules and permits

Bat roosts and tree work in Exeter

Bats can use trees in Exeter that look ordinary from the ground, and their resting places are protected even when unoccupied. This guide explains when a survey is needed, what it involves and when a licence must be obtained before tree work goes ahead.
7 min read
A stump grinder beside a sawn tree stump in a suburban back garden
Explained

Stump grinding explained for Exeter gardens

A tree stump left after felling can be ground, removed completely or left to rot, and each option changes the cost, the access and the garden afterwards. This guide explains how each method works and what to decide before the crew arrives.
7 min read
Leafless deciduous tree beside a stone garden path on a frosty winter morning
Explained

Does the time of year matter for Exeter tree work?

The time of year matters for tree work in Exeter for reasons of tree health, wildlife protection and site conditions. This guide explains how the dormant season, the nesting season, pest timing and storm planning shape when to prune, fell or reduce a tree, and how to build a calendar around them.
7 min read