Professional Tree Removal in Tameside & Greater Manchester

Expert, Safe, and Reliable Tree Surgery Since 1976

When it comes to removing a tree, you can’t rely on guesswork. It requires experience, the right kit, and a deep understanding of how timber moves. At North Cheshire Forestry, we have been providing high-quality tree care and removal services for nearly five decades. Established in 1976, we are one of the longest-standing tree surgeons operating in the region.

We are not just “men with chainsaws.” We are professional arborists. We take pride in a job well done, which means the tree comes down safely, your property is protected, and the site is left spotless. Whether you have a dangerous oak leaning over a conservatory or a row of conifers that have got out of hand, we have the skills to handle it.

Call us today on 0161 427 5813 for a free estimate.

Areas We Cover

Based locally, we serve the whole of Tameside and the wider Greater Manchester and North Cheshire area. We are regularly working in:

  • Tameside: Ashton-under-Lyne, Audenshaw, Denton, Droylsden, Dukinfield, Hyde, Longdendale, Mossley, and Stalybridge.
  • Stockport & North Cheshire: Marple, Romiley, Bredbury, and surrounding villages.

Our Tree Removal Service: What We Do

Tree removal, often called “felling” or “dismantling,” is the complete removal of a tree down to ground level. While we always prefer to save a tree if we can through pruning or crown reduction, removal is often necessary.

A tree might need to be removed for several reasons:

  • Disease and Decay: Fungi or rot can compromise the structural integrity of a tree, making it liable to collapse.
  • Safety Hazards: Trees leaning dangerously over roads, houses, or public footpaths.
  • Subsidence: Roots causing damage to foundations or lifting driveways.
  • Light and Space: Trees that have simply outgrown their location, blocking all natural light or interfering with construction projects.

We handle trees of all sizes. From small fruit trees in a terraced garden to massive hardwoods in commercial grounds, the principle is always the same: controlled, safe processing of the timber.

Safety and Standards

This is a high-risk industry, and we treat it with the respect it deserves. We don’t cut corners.

  • Fully Insured: We carry comprehensive public liability insurance. You and your property are fully protected.
  • NPTC Trained: All our staff hold the relevant National Proficiency Tests Council (NPTC) certificates for chainsaw use, climbing, and aerial rescue.
  • Trustmark Status: We are government-endorsed through Trustmark, giving you peace of mind regarding our technical competence and fair trading practices.
  • Trade Memberships: We are members of the Forestry Contracting Association (FCA) and other relevant trade bodies, keeping us up to date with the latest industry regulations.

Most importantly, all our work is carried out to BS3998 standards. This is the British Standard for Tree Work. It ensures that every cut we make is done correctly, ethically, and safely.

How We Work: The Removal Process

If you haven’t hired a tree surgeon before, you might wonder how we actually get a large tree down without damaging the fence, the flowerbeds, or the house.

We generally use two methods, depending on the space available.

1. Directional Felling

In the rare event that there is ample open space (like a large paddock or parkland), we can fell the tree from the base. We cut a precise “gob” (notch) into the base of the trunk to direct the fall, followed by a back cut. This brings the tree down in one piece, where it is then processed on the ground. However, in Tameside residential areas, this is rarely possible.

2. Sectional Dismantling (Rigging)

When a tree is surrounded by obstacles, greenhouses, phone lines, parked cars, or neighbours’ fences, we dismantle it piece by piece.

  • The Climb: Our climber ascends the tree using ropes and harness.
  • The Rigging: We use specialist lowering ropes, pulleys, and friction devices (rigging blocks). We don’t just cut a branch and let it drop. We attach a rope to the limb, cut it, and the ground crew gently lowers it to the floor under complete control.
  • The Stem: Once the canopy is removed, we cut the main trunk into manageable sections (chogs) and lower them down or drop them into a designated “drop zone” if the ground is soft enough.

The Site Visit and Quote

It starts with a phone call. We will arrange a time to visit your property to look at the tree. We give you honest advice. If the tree doesn’t need removing and can be saved with a prune, we’ll tell you. If it needs to go, we will provide a clear, no-obligation quote.

Our Environmental Promise

At North Cheshire Forestry, we hate waste. We have developed an environmental policy to ensure that virtually 100% of the material we remove is recycled. We don’t just dump it in a landfill.

Timber and Logs
The larger sections of wood (the trunk and thick limbs) are processed into logs. These are seasoned and sold or used as firewood. This biomass fuel helps reduce reliance on fossil fuels for heating.

Woodchip and Brash
The smaller branches and leaves (brushwood) are put through our woodchipper.

  • Biomass: Some chips go to power stations for renewable energy.
  • Allotments and Farms: We supply local allotment societies and farms with woodchip for mulching paths, suppressing weeds, and improving soil quality.

When you use us, you know your tree is going back into the local ecosystem in a useful way.

Wildlife and Nesting Birds

We take our responsibility to nature seriously. Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it is an offence to disturb nesting birds.

Before we start any chainsaw work, we carry out a wildlife assessment.

  • Nesting Season: If we find active nests during the nesting season (generally March to August), we will not touch that tree. We will cordon off the area and delay the work until the fledglings have flown the nest.
  • Bat Roosts: We also check for potential bat roosts in older trees with cracks or cavities, as bats are a protected species.

We are here to manage trees, not destroy habitats unnecessarily. We will always advise you on the legalities and the best time to do the work.

Why Choose North Cheshire Forestry?

There are plenty of people with vans and chainsaws out there, but tree surgery is a skilled trade. Here is why Tameside residents have trusted us since 1976:

  1. We show up. If we say we’ll be there at 8 am, we are there at 8 am.
  2. We are tidy. A massive part of our job is the cleanup. We rake up the sawdust, blow down the paths, and take away all the waste. We aim to leave your garden tidier than we found it.
  3. We are polite. We are a friendly bunch. We respect that we are working at your home. We are courteous to your neighbours and mindful of noise.
  4. We are skilled. Rigging down a 50ft Sycamore over a glass roof isn’t a job for amateurs. Our NPTC-trained staff have the experience to do it safely.

Stump Removal

Once the tree is down, you are left with a stump. As part of our service, we can advise on stump grinding. We have machines that can grind the stump down below surface level, allowing you to turf over the area or replant, removing the trip hazard completely.

Get in Touch

If you have a tree that’s worrying you, or you just need to clear some space in your garden, give us a ring. We are happy to offer advice and a free quotation.

Trust the experts who have been serving the community for over 45 years.

North Cheshire Forestry
Tel: 0161 427 5813

Fully Insured | NPTC Qualified | Trustmark Approved | Est. 1976