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Is your landscape as safe and functional as it should be?
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Get in touch with our Gristwood & Toms team
Request a quote from our certified arborists and ensure your site remains safe, compliant, and well cared for.
Create space for what comes next
At Gristwood & Toms, we recognise that despite our commitment to preservation, some trees reach a point where removal becomes the necessary choice. Our professional tree removal services form an essential component of sustainable green space management, particularly when integrated with our tree planting programmes that ensure continued environmental benefits for future generations.
Unwanted trees limit site use or development potential.
Hazardous trees pose a risk to people and buildings.
Diseased or dying trees can spread pests to healthy stock.
Tree stumps create tripping hazards and invite regrowth.
At Gristwood & Toms, we provide safe, professional tree removal services for councils, landowners, developers and private clients across the UK. Whether it’s a single hazardous tree or a large-scale tree clearing project, our fully trained tree surgeons carry out every removal with precision, care, and minimal disruption to your site.
Tree felling
Our experienced tree surgeons carefully fell trees using controlled techniques to safely remove unwanted or unstable trees while minimising disruption to the surrounding landscape.
Sectional dismantling
Where space is limited or risks are higher, our team dismantles trees in manageable sections, ensuring precision, safety, and full control at every stage.
Tree stump & root removal
We grind out or excavate stumps and root systems to remove hazards, stop regrowth, and leave the ground clean and ready for future use.
Surface reinstatement
Where tree roots have lifted or damaged surfaces, we carry out careful reinstatement – removing problem roots, making repairs, and restoring pavements, paths or hardstanding to their original condition.
With industry-leading accreditations and over 50 years of experience, we are proud to be a trusted provider for local councils, schools, housing associations, and businesses of all sizes. Our teams are fully qualified, insured, and equipped to manage all types of tree removal projects.
Certified tree surgery expertise
Our fully accredited tree surgeons ensure all work meets governance and compliance standards, providing peace of mind and industry-leading expertise.
UK wide coverage, local expertise
With a commitment to minimal disruption, our nationwide team of certified arborists and tree surgeons offers expert, tailored services to maintain your site’s security and compliance.
Environmentally responsible
Wherever possible, removed timber and green waste is recycled or repurposed to reduce environmental impact.
Fast emergency response
Gristwood & Toms has the capacity to meet any client need, including 24/7 emergency call-out capability for contracted clients, ensuring rapid response whenever required.
ARB approved contractor status
As an Arboricultural Association ARB Approved Contractor we demonstrate industry-leading standards in arboriculture.
Health & safety compliance
With both CHAS (Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme) and SafeContractor accreditations, we conform to the highest levels of health and safety compliance.
Proven success delivering large-scale projects
We have a proven track record of successfully managing large-scale contracts and maintaining long-term relationships with both local authorities and commercial clients across various sectors.
ISO Accreditations for industry-leading practices
With ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001 accreditations we conform to excellence in quality, environmental management, and health and safety.
“I would like to commend Gristwood and Toms for their outstanding service in maintaining Enfield’s tree stock to the highest standards. Their professionalism, expertise, and reliability have been evident in all aspects of their work, from cyclical pruning and emergency callouts to tree planting and felling.”
Andy Robinson, Principal Arboricultural Officer, Enfield Borough Council
“Working with Gristwood and Toms has been a straightforward and efficient process. Their expert approach to arboricultural services ensures the safety of our highways. Clear communication and timely execution of projects, make them an asset to our operations. ”
Paul, Contract Manager, Ringway Infrastructure Services Ltd.
Delivering expert arboriculture and tree care services you can rely on.
Get in touch
Effortless
Contact our expert team of arborists
Get in touch with our friendly team to discuss your tree care needs, and we will guide you through the next steps.
Receive a free quotation
Our certified arborists will provide you with a detailed, no-obligation quote based on your requirements. Before any work is carried out, we may have to apply for permission from the local council if a tree is subject to a Tree Preservation Order (TPO).
Work completed promptly & safely
Once you are happy with the plan, we’ll carry out the tree works quickly and efficiently, ensuring minimal disruption to your daily operations.
At Gristwood & Toms, we recognise that tree removal can be a necessary but complex part of responsible landscape and site management.
Whether addressing hazardous trees, enabling planned development, or mitigating the risk of damage to property and infrastructure, you need a partner you can trust to carry out this work with care, precision, and full regulatory compliance.
Drawing on over 50 years of experience and as ARB Approved Contractors with nationwide reach, our teams are fully qualified to assess risk, plan and execute removals safely and efficiently, through controlled felling, sectional dismantling, or stump and root removal.
From local authorities to estates and commercial properties across Britain, our clients rely on our tree removal expertise to deliver solutions that prioritise safety and integrity of each site, minimise disruption, and respect environmental considerations – providing the complete peace of mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to remove a tree?
Tree removal time varies based on size, location, and complexity. While small trees may take only hours, larger or more challenging removals could require a full day or longer. We’ll assess your specific case to provide an accurate time estimate.
Do I need a permit to cut a tree?
Naturally, planning consent is required before protected trees can be pruned or felled. Where required we will check for, advise on and submit applications to the local planning authority in relation to work involving trees under Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) and within Conservation Areas.
Can you handle large commercial projects?
We’re fully equipped for projects of all sizes, from small projects to major commercial tree removal operations.
How do you cut trees?
There are two methods for removing trees and the technique used will mainly come down to available space:
Straight felling
Straight felling is when a tree is removed as a single part. This tends to be the cheapest and fasted system of removal, however, there needs to be sufficient space around the tree to ensure the falling tree will not cause damage to property.
Section dismantling
If the tree to be taken down has obstruction nearby, or the logistics of the site mean that straight felling is impossible we can remove the tree in sections.
Our arborists will climb the tree and use rigging gear to lower out sections of the tree in a controlled manor, carefully avoiding obstructions such as buildings, green houses, utility lines and fences.
Where the tree is considered too dangerous to climb, perhaps due to decay or dysfunction, we can use a mobile elevated platform to access the tree and carry out the removal from this.
Does felling completely remove the tree?
Our tree surgeons cut trees as close to the ground as possible, or to any height you specify. The stump will remain in the ground unless stump removal has been requested, in which case the tree, stump, and surface roots will be completely removed.
Do you also remove the tree stumps?
Yes, we do. We use advanced stump grinding equipment to remove the remaining tree stump. This service is available both as part of our tree removal process and as a separate option for existing stumps.
Do you take away all of the tree waste?
Our trained ground staff clears and removes all tree debris, ensuring the site is left clean and safe. We recycle all collected tree waste.
