Crown lifting (also called crown raising) removes or shortens the lowest branches of a tree to create clearance underneath it. Eastern Tree & Garden Specialists carries out crown lifting in Newmarket, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire for homeowners, livery yards, landlords and businesses who need more light, headroom or access without losing the tree.
When crown lifting is the right choice
- Low branches overhanging a driveway, road, footpath or public right of way.
- Branches at head height above lawns, patios, play areas or paddock walkways – a particular concern around horses in the Newmarket area.
- A tree shading a garden, greenhouse or ground-floor windows where the lower crown is the problem.
- Clearance for vehicles, deliveries or machinery, or to improve visibility at gateways and junctions.
- Improving the look of a tree by revealing a clean stem and letting light reach planting beneath.
How we do it
We remove the lowest limbs back to the trunk or shorten them to suitable side branches, working upwards until the required clearance is reached. Highway guidance calls for around 5.2 metres of clearance over roads and 2.5 metres over footpaths, and we cut to those standards where a tree overhangs the public highway. Cuts are made cleanly at the branch collar so the tree can seal them, and we avoid taking off so much that the tree becomes top-heavy – as a rule, the cleared trunk should not exceed a third of the tree’s overall height.
Crown lifting, thinning or reduction?
These three techniques solve different problems. Crown lifting deals with what is happening at the bottom of the tree; crown thinning lets more light through the whole canopy; crown reduction makes the tree smaller overall. They are often combined, and on a site visit we will recommend the mix that gives you the result you want with the least stress to the tree. See our tree pruning page for the full range.
Frequently asked questions
Does crown lifting damage the tree?
Not when limited to sensible proportions and clean cuts. Removing very large low limbs from mature trees can leave big wounds, so on older trees we may shorten limbs rather than remove them.
Can you crown lift a tree with a TPO?
Yes, but permission from the council is required first. We prepare and submit the application on your behalf.
What does crown lifting cost?
Typically less than a full crown reduction, because less material is removed. We provide a fixed quote after a free site visit.
If low branches are a nuisance or a hazard, crown lifting is often a quick, affordable fix. Call 07783 360552 or request a free quote online.
