Forum home› Wildlife gardening
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

When is it safest to have tree cut back/ down?

sthlndngrowersthlndngrower Posts: 160
in Wildlife gardening
I have a large cherry tree in my garden which is very diseased with many branches dead, it is also smothered in ivy. I have had a quote from a reputable tree surgeon to cut this and another (deciduous, invasive) tree of heaven cut down.
As the cherry tree is smothered in ivy, it is home to much wildlife and I do feel somewhat conflicted about having it cut down, but it is dangerous; we also have several other mature trees in the garden (an oak and a sycamore as well as crab apple, ornamental cherry, 2 willows and a witch-hazel), so I'm not completely annihilating the wildlife/ habitat.
My query is, when would the best time of year be to have this work completed? I think birds will be nesting and don't want to have any tree work done before chicks have fledged.
Any advice? 

Posts

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I would get it done either before the end of January or leave it until September at the earliest. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    I agree with @Dovefromabove. Some neighbours have a tree surgeon on their property at this very moment, he advised them to get the work done ASAP and definitely before mid February. 
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Bluetits and Gt tits are already surveying nest sites here in Norfolk. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • WaterbutWaterbut Posts: 344
    Do not pay them until all the work is done. My daughter payed her tree surgeon half way through the work. They did a good job but never came back to finish the work or replied to phone calls etc.
  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    I'm in the same predicament with some trees here.  Tree surgeon has had me on "his list" since Oct/Nov but time is getting on now.  I'm also restricted on who I can get as in a CA  so some trees need permission and a council approved tree surgeon to do any work.
  • sthlndngrowersthlndngrower Posts: 160
    Thank you all for your advice!
Sign In or Register to comment.