DIY or professional
When to call a tree surgeon (and when you can prune yourself)
Light pruning of small, reachable shrubs and branches from the ground is a reasonable DIY job. Call a qualified arborist for anything that needs climbing or a ladder, large or heavy branches, work near power lines or buildings, a diseased or unstable tree, or any tree with a protection order or in a conservation area, where consent may be needed.
Tree work is one of the higher-risk jobs around a home, because it usually involves height, heavy timber and sharp tools, so the decision is as much about safety as skill.
There is also a legal layer: a tree with a tree protection order (TPO) or in a conservation area may need council consent before any work, and unauthorised work can be a criminal offence.
When doing it yourself is fine
- Light pruning and shaping of small shrubs and low branches you can reach safely from the ground.
- Removing clearly dead, thin growth from a small tree with hand tools, well away from power lines and buildings.
- Routine trimming where there is no protection order and no risk of working at height.
When to call a professional
- Any work that needs a ladder, climbing or a chainsaw above shoulder height: a job for a trained, insured arborist.
- Large or heavy branches, work near power lines, buildings or boundaries, or felling a tree of any size.
- A diseased, damaged or unstable tree, such as one with ash dieback, where falling timber is a risk.
- Any tree with a TPO or in a conservation area, where you should check for council consent first.
Where a professional is needed, use a qualified, insured arborist, ideally an Arboricultural Association approved contractor, and confirm they carry public liability insurance. Always check for a TPO or conservation area before booking.
Frequently asked questions
When should I call a tree surgeon instead of doing it myself?
Whenever the work needs climbing, a ladder or a chainsaw above shoulder height, involves large or heavy branches, is near power lines or buildings, or concerns a diseased or unstable tree. These carry real injury and property risk, so a qualified, insured arborist is the safe choice.
Can I prune my own trees?
Light pruning of small shrubs and low branches you can reach safely from the ground is reasonable DIY. Step back from anything needing height, heavy cutting or work near hazards, and check first whether the tree is protected, as that can require council consent even for pruning.
Do I need permission to work on a tree?
Possibly. If the tree has a tree protection order or stands in a conservation area, you usually need consent from your local council before pruning or felling, and doing unauthorised work can be a criminal offence. Check with the council before any work, as a reputable tree surgeon will expect.
Sources
Editor, HomesAndHedge
Oliver leads HomesAndHedge's editorial coverage of home and garden problems. He researches and writes the plain-English explainers on pests, invasive plants, damp and mould, drainage and wildlife, drawing on guidance from bodies such as the Property Care Association, the RHS and the NHS, and is clear about when a job needs a qualified professional.
Last reviewed: 8 June 2026