On a garden that climbs a valley side, whatever grows at the top has a big effect on everything below it. A conifer hedge planted for privacy decades ago, a self-seeded sycamore by the back wall or a line of shrubs along the lane can grow until they block out the sun and drop leaves over the whole slope.
This guide is about getting that growth back in hand on an Abertillery terrace: what the choices are, what to check before any cutting, and how the work is done when the only way in and out is a narrow gate or a set of steps. Our tree surgery and hedge care page covers the service in general, and our page on landscaping in Abertillery shows how these gardens can be rebuilt once the light is back.
Why the top of the garden matters most
Terraced houses on the valley side are built in rows one above the other. Trees and hedges at the top of your garden sit higher than the house, so they cast long shadows down the plot, especially in winter when the sun is low. They can also shade the gardens of the row above or below.
Growth at the top of the slope brings other problems too. Roots can work into the old stone or brick walls that hold up many Abertillery gardens, and a large tree beside a retaining wall adds weight and movement to ground that is already under pressure. Branches can hang over a shared lane and catch on vans and bin lorries. If you are worried about a wall that is already leaning, read our guide on replacing a collapsing garden wall in Abertillery as well.
Deciding what to do with each tree or hedge
Not everything needs to come down. We look at each plant in turn and talk through the options:
- Crown lifting removes lower branches, so light gets under the tree and you can walk beneath it.
- Crown thinning or reduction takes weight and spread out of the canopy while keeping the tree.
- Hard cutting back of a hedge reduces its height and width, though some conifers will not grow back from bare wood.
- Felling is sometimes the sensible answer, for a tree that is too big for the space, damaged or pressing on a wall.
- Stump treatment or removal depends on what you want to build or plant in that spot afterwards.
Our guides to crown lifting, thinning and reduction and felling or pruning explain the differences in more detail.
Checks before anything is cut
Some trees are protected. A tree preservation order or a conservation area can mean you need consent from the council before pruning or felling, so if you are unsure, check with Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council first. Our guide on whether you need permission to cut down a tree in Wales sets out the general position, but the council has the final word.
Nesting birds are the other thing to think about. It is an offence to disturb an active nest, and hedges and trees in valley gardens are well used by birds in spring and summer. Heavy hedge work is usually best planned for autumn and winter, and anything done during the nesting season starts with a careful look for nests. See hedge trimming and nesting birds.
If the tree or hedge is on a neighbour's side, or on the boundary, speak to them before any work is done. It is much easier to agree a plan together, and it avoids disputes on a row where everyone lives close by.
Working on a slope with limited room
Tree work on a steep, narrow plot takes more care than on a flat lawn. There is rarely space to drop a tree in one piece, so larger trees are usually taken down in sections, with branches lowered on ropes where they could hit a wall, a shed, a greenhouse or the houses below. Footing on a slope is less secure, so we set up carefully and take our time.
The shape of the garden also decides where cut material can go. We aim to keep a clear working area at the top near the lane gate, so brash can be cut up and moved out without dragging it down through the rest of the garden.
Where all the branches go
An overgrown hedge produces a surprising volume of branches and clippings, and a felled tree more again. On an Abertillery terrace we usually take it out through the rear lane, cutting it into manageable pieces and loading as we go so the lane is not blocked for long. Where there is no lane, it is bagged and carried through, which takes longer.
Green waste is taken away as part of the job. If the rest of the garden is overgrown too, it can make sense to do the tree work and a garden clearance together. Our guide on clearing an Abertillery garden with rear lane access explains how that works.
Keeping it under control afterwards
Once a hedge has been reduced, a trim once or twice a year keeps it at a manageable height, and it is much easier to reach from a slope when it is kept low. If you do not want the job at all, replacing a tall hedge with a fence can free up space and light, and our guide on fencing a sloping boundary in Abertillery covers how that works on a hill.
When the top of the garden is opened up, many people find the slope below becomes worth using again. Our guide to low-maintenance ideas for Abertillery back gardens has ideas for what to do next.
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Questions People Ask
When is the best time for tree and hedge work in Abertillery?
Most heavy cutting is best done between autumn and late winter, outside the main nesting season. Some trees are better pruned at particular times of year. Our guide on when trees should be pruned goes through the common ones.
Can I cut back branches overhanging from next door?
Generally you can cut overhanging branches back to the boundary, but not beyond it, and not if the tree is protected. It is always best to talk to your neighbour first. If there is any doubt about protection, check with the council before cutting.
My conifer hedge is huge. Can it be cut right down?
It can usually be reduced in height, but many conifers will not regrow from old brown wood, so cutting back hard into the sides can leave bare patches. Sometimes removing the hedge and replacing it with a fence or new planting is the better option.
What affects the cost of tree and hedge work?
The size and number of trees, how close they are to walls and houses, whether sections need lowering on ropes, stump work, access from the lane and the amount of waste. Contact us for a free quote on your Abertillery garden.
Do you take the waste away?
Yes. Branches, logs and clippings are removed as part of the job, usually through the rear lane, so you are not left with a pile at the top of the garden.