Reliably Providing Tree Surgery Services in Edinburgh

For tree surgery that’s completed to the highest of qualities, turn to RS Treecare. Situated in Edinburgh, we’re a highly regarded business that reliably provides tree care services that are unmatched in the trade. No matter your needs, you can rely on our professional team to provide you with a reliable solution.

Domestic Work

At RS Treecare, we utilise our skills and expertise to be able to provide you with professional tree care services. This includes:

Pruning

Pruning is the most common and arguably the most important form of tree management. It is not just “cutting branches” — when done correctly, it shapes how a tree grows for the rest of its life. Good pruning improves safety, tree health, and appearance. Bad pruning, however, can cause irreversible harm, structural weakness, or even the premature death of the tree.

At RS Treecare, we only prune in accordance with British Standard BS3998:2010, which sets out industry best practice for tree work in the UK. This ensures that every cut is made with the tree’s biology in mind, keeping it safe, healthy, and attractive long-term.

Pruning can broadly be divided into several techniques depending on the objective:

🌲 Crown Reduction
What it is:

Crown reduction is a technique where the overall height and/or spread of the canopy is reduced by cutting branches back to suitable lateral growth points. Unlike “topping” (a damaging and outdated practice), reduction retains the tree’s natural shape and structural framework.

Why it’s done:

Safety – Prevents large, heavy branches snapping in high winds.

Space Management – Keeps trees clear of roofs, windows, solar panels, chimneys, or roads.

Tree Health – Reduces strain on weak unions or co-dominant stems.

Appearance – Maintains a balanced and tidy look, blending with surroundings.

Light Levels – Allows more daylight into gardens, conservatories, or offices.

Step-by-step process:

Assess the tree species (oaks, beeches, and conifers respond very differently).

Identify how much reduction is safe — rarely more than 20–30%.

Choose appropriate growth points for cuts — only to healthy laterals that are at least one-third the diameter of the branch being removed.

Make clean, precise cuts with sharp saws to avoid tearing bark.

Balance the tree evenly — never reducing one side heavily and leaving the other untouched.

Risks of poor practice:

Topping or lopping causes large wounds, encouraging decay and weak regrowth.

Over-reduction stresses the tree, reducing lifespan.

Loss of natural shape leaves the tree unsightly and unstable.

Aftercare considerations for customers:

Reduced branches may generate vigorous regrowth — periodic maintenance may be needed.

Larger trees may require phased reduction over several years.

Disposal of arisings can be chipped for mulch or removed depending on site needs.
🌲 Crown Lifting
What it is:

The selective removal of the lowest branches to increase clearance between ground level and the crown. Often used for access and light.

Why it’s done:

Safety – Ensures clearance for pedestrians, cyclists, or vehicles.

Light & Airflow – Allows lawns, flowerbeds, or driveways beneath to receive more sunlight and air.

Property Protection – Prevents branches rubbing against walls, gutters, or vehicles.

Aesthetics – Makes trees look cleaner and more balanced.

Step-by-step process:

Evaluate which branches can be removed without spoiling balance.

Remove smaller, lower branches gradually rather than large, structural limbs.

For young trees, crown lifting is often done over years as the tree matures.

Avoid cutting into the main trunk, which can create large wounds.

Never raise the crown beyond one-third of the total tree height.

Risks of poor practice:

Over-lifting makes trees look “top-heavy” and unstable.

Excessive removal can cause stress and encourage weak regrowth.

Cutting too close to the trunk increases decay risk.

Customer considerations:

Ideal for driveways, roadsides, or pathways.

Works well combined with thinning to maximise light gain.

Removed timber can often be logged for firewood or chipped for mulch.
🌲 Deadwooding
What it is:

The removal of dead, dying, or diseased branches. This is a natural process — all trees produce deadwood — but in managed landscapes it can present hazards.

Why it’s done:

Public Safety – Prevents dangerous branches falling onto people, cars, or property.

Tree Health – Stops fungal pathogens spreading.

Aesthetics – Improves the look of ornamental trees in gardens or parks.

Legal Responsibility – Essential for trees along roads, schools, or public areas where duty of care applies.

Step-by-step process:

Survey the crown from the ground and (if needed) climb for close inspection.

Identify all unsafe branches (look for cracks, fungi, or rot).

Remove carefully to avoid tearing or wounding healthy wood.

Retain some non-hazardous deadwood high up to support wildlife (bats, birds, insects).

Risks of poor practice:

Removing too much live wood weakens the tree.

Over-pruning can stress the tree and spoil its natural form.

Customer considerations:

Particularly important for schools, playgrounds, and public parks.

For conservation sites, we discuss how much deadwood can be safely retained for biodiversity.
🌲 Thinning
What it is:

Thinning is the selective removal of smaller, internal branches to reduce the density of the crown. Unlike reduction, it doesn’t change the tree’s overall size, but it improves light, air, and wind flow through the canopy.

Why it’s done:

Wind Resistance – Reduces “sail effect,” lowering risk of storm damage.

Light Penetration – Allows more sunlight to reach lawns, borders, and windows.

Health Benefits – Improves air circulation, reducing fungal and pest problems.

Aesthetics – Creates a lighter, more graceful crown.

Step-by-step process:

Identify congested areas inside the crown.

Remove rubbing, crossing, or duplicated branches.

Focus on smaller diameter wood to maintain tree vigour.

Maintain even spacing — avoid stripping out too much.

Risks of poor practice:

Over-thinning can create a sparse, unhealthy crown.

Removing too many interior branches increases stress.

Customer considerations:

Ideal for gardens where more sunlight is desired.

Often combined with reduction or lifting for the best results.

Minimal visual impact from a distance, but noticeable improvements in light levels beneath

Each has its own role, and often two or more are combined on the same tree to achieve the best results.

Tree Removal Services

Tree removal may be required for a range of reasons — from creating space for new developments to preventing damage to property or simply improving the overall landscape. At RS Treecare, we provide a safe, efficient, and professional tree removal service tailored to the needs of each site.

Our experienced team is fully equipped to handle everything from small garden trees to large, complex removals in more challenging environments. We carefully plan each project to ensure minimal disruption, full compliance with safety standards, and complete respect for the surrounding environment.

🌲 Straight Felling
Used where there is clear space.

Tree is felled in one controlled cut using directional notches and wedges.

Quick and efficient but requires large drop zone.
🌲 Climbing & Aerial Work
Rope and harness access for safe dismantling.

Used where machinery cannot reach.

Carried out by qualified, insured climbers.
🌲 Sectional Dismantling
Tree dismantled piece by piece in confined spaces.

Ropes and rigging lower sections safely.

Protects nearby property, fences, and gardens.
🌲 Rigging & Lowering Systems
Advanced pulleys and ropes allow precise control of heavy timber.

Essential when working above roofs, greenhouses, or roads.
🌲 MEWPs & Cranes
Mechanical aids for very large or dangerous trees.

Used when trees are too decayed or unstable to climb safely.
🌲 Aftercare Options
Stump Grinding – Full removal for clear ground.

Habitat Stumps – Reduced stumps left for biodiversity.

Site Clearance – Branches and timber chipped, removed, or left as firewood.

Stump Grinding & Removal

Tree stumps can be unsightly, take up valuable space, and even cause new shoots to appear if left untreated. At RS Treecare, we provide a safe and efficient stump grinding and removal service tailored to your needs.

Our team will assess the stump on-site and decide on the most effective method for removal. Using specialist machinery, we grind the stump down below ground level, ensuring it is completely removed from the root. This prevents regrowth and leaves your garden or outdoor space ready for replanting, landscaping, or simply enjoying.

Once the stump is gone, we’ll fill the hole to restore a smooth ground level. All waste material can be taken away by us for disposal.

With our experience and attention to detail, you can be confident the job will be done right the first time.

🌲 Stump Grinding
Specialist machine grinds stump below ground level.

Roots chipped into mulch, which can be reused.

Leaves the area ready for turf, paving, or replanting.
🌲 Habitat Stumps
Stumps reduced to safe height and left in place.

Supports fungi, insects, birds, and bats.

Common in parks and conservation areas.

Hedge Cutting & Maintenance

Hedges need regular upkeep to remain healthy, neat, and effective as natural boundaries or privacy screens. At RS Treecare, we provide expert hedge cutting and maintenance services tailored to your garden or property needs.

Whether it’s routine trimming to keep hedges looking sharp, seasonal maintenance to promote strong growth, or reducing overgrown sections back into shape, our team has the experience and equipment to get the job done safely and efficiently. We work with all hedge types and sizes, ensuring a tidy finish that enhances the appearance and function of your outdoor space.

🌲 Hedge Trimming & Reductions
Keeps hedges tidy and shaped.

Reductions lower height/width to control overgrowth.

Improves light and prevents encroachment.
🌲 Hedge Maintenance
Regular trimming encourages dense, bushy growth.

Prevents bare patches or thinning.

Especially important for formal hedges like box, yew, privet.
🌲 Hedge Removal
Carried out when hedges are diseased, overgrown, or no longer needed.

Removed carefully to protect surrounding areas.
🌲 Stump & Root Removal
Following hedge removal, roots are ground out.

Leaves area ready for new planting, fencing, or landscaping.

We work with all hedge types:

Fast-growing conifers (Leylandii, Thuja).
Ornamental species (yew, laurel, beech, privet).
From small garden borders to large property screens.

Emergency Services

Whether you’re a domestic or commercial customer, we offer 24-hour emergency callout services. If your trees have suffered from storm damage, you can rest assured knowing that we’re here to help you whenever you need us.

🌲 When You Might Need Us
Fallen trees blocking access.
Dangerous leaning trees after storms.

Large broken limbs hanging precariously.

Trees damaging roofs, fences, or power lines.

Hazards in public areas such as schools or parks.
🌲 How We Respond
Attend promptly and secure the site.

Assess risks and tree stability.

Use specialist rigging, climbing, or MEWPs to dismantle dangerous sections.

Liaise with local authorities, highways, or utilities if required.

Provide follow-up services (removal, stump grinding, replanting).

Customer Considerations:

Available 24/7, including nights and weekends.
Insurance claims supported with reports and photos.
Always safety first, then minimising disruption.

After You Contact Us

When you contact us, one of our qualified tree surgeons will visit your property to assess the job and provide you with a clear, no-obligation quote. We’ll take the time to explain exactly how we plan to carry out the work, so you know what to expect at every stage.

Once you’re happy to go ahead, we’ll arrange a date and time that works best for you. After the work is completed, all excess waste will be removed and disposed of responsibly, leaving your property neat and tidy.

Commercial Tree Care

First impressions matter, and the outside space of your business is no exception. At RS Treecare, we specialise in keeping commercial grounds safe, tidy, and looking their best all year round.

Whether you need regular tree maintenance or precise hedge trimming, our skilled team has the expertise and equipment to get the job done efficiently.

We’ll work closely with you to understand your requirements, providing a clear and competitive quote before any work begins. With RS Treecare, you can be confident that your outdoor space is in professional hands—leaving you free to focus on running your business.