Cotswold Tree Surgeons

19/06/2026

Many people think tree surgeons just cut trees down.
The reality is very different.

Good tree surgery isn't just about cutting trees down, it's often about:
Maintaining tree health, preserving mature trees where possible, managing risks to people and property, protecting habitats for birds, bats, insects, and other wildlife.
AND Planting and establishing new trees.

Professional arborists in the UK are expected to work within wildlife protection laws and industry best practices. We routinely look for signs of nesting birds, bat roosts, and other ecological constraints before carrying out work. We also work closely with ecologists, local authorities, and conservation organizations.

That said, tree surgeons sometimes have to carry out work that appears harmful to nature, such as removing a tree. In many cases there are legitimate reasons:

🌳The tree is dead, diseased, or structurally unsafe.
🌳It poses a risk to people, buildings, or roads.
🌳It is causing damage to infrastructure.
🌳It is part of a wider woodland or habitat management plan.

Tree surgeons will usually consider alternatives first, such as pruning, crown reduction, bracing, or habitat retention measures. For example, when safe to do so, they may leave standing deadwood as a habitat for wildlife rather than removing it completely.

The profession is closely connected to organisations such as the Arboricultural Association and the Royal Forestry Society, both of which promote responsible tree and environmental management .

16/06/2026

16/06/2026

Charlie has recently joined the team as an apprentice and is already doing a brilliant job, gaining hands-on experience out on site and learning the skills and techniques that go into professional tree surgery.

Working alongside our experienced team, he'll be developing his knowledge of tree care, climbing, pruning, and safe working practices as he begins his journey in the industry.

We're pleased to have Charlie on board and look forward to seeing him grow in confidence and experience.

15/06/2026

What happens when tree surgeons find a birds nest?

In the UK, if a tree surgeon finds an active bird's nest (a nest being built, containing eggs, or containing dependent chicks), work usually has to stop in the affected area immediately.

Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it is an offence to intentionally damage, destroy, or take an active wild bird's nest, or to disturb certain specially protected species while nesting.

Typical procedure is:

🪺Stop work and assess the situation.

🪺The tree surgeon identifies whether the nest is active.

🪺If there is any uncertainty, they may seek advice from an ecologist or local wildlife expert.

🪺Establish a buffer zone.

🪺Work is suspended around the nest to avoid disturbance.
The size of the exclusion zone depends on the species and the nature of the work.

🪺Postpone or modify the work.

🪺If possible, work is rescheduled until the young have fledged and the nest is no longer active.

🪺Sometimes only part of the tree can be worked on while leaving the nesting area undisturbed.

🪺Special considerations for protected species, species such as some birds of prey have additional legal protections.

For tree surgery businesses, it's common practice to carry out a visual nesting-bird check before starting work, especially during the main nesting season (roughly March to August, though birds can nest outside these months).

In this case, we have rescheduled to come back when these chicks have flown the nest. 🥰

01/06/2026

28/05/2026

Just keep rollin’ rollin’

21/05/2026

Some before and after shots from Ethan and Dylan.

Work included:

🌳Crown reduction on all 3 trees, reducing height and spread to create smaller, more formalised canopies.

🌳Minor crown thinning to remove inferior internal growth to allow more natural light into the surrounding buildings

🌳Severing ivy on a Maple tree.

Great work!