Hampshire Tree Care Calendar

Good this month

• 🌲Tree removal & felling, dormant season means cleaner cuts, less sap and easier timber handling
• ✂️Fruit tree pruning, January to March is the classic window for apples, pears and plums
• 💪Structural crown pruning, full branch architecture visible without leaves
• 🪵Stump grinding, firm winter ground makes site access straightforward

Watch out for

• 🦇Check for roosting bats before removing veteran trees, hollow stems or those with dense ivy, bats are protected year-round
• ❄️Frozen ground delays stump grinding, confirm conditions before booking heavy machinery

Good this month

• 🍎Fruit tree pruning, ideal timing, just before bud burst; most species respond best now
• 🌿Pollarding, February to March is the optimum window for willows, limes and planes
• 💀Deadwooding, dead wood fully visible without leaf cover; easier assessment and removal
• 📅Book spring and summer work now, diaries fill quickly once the season turns

Watch out for

• 🐦Bird nesting can begin as early as late February in mild spells, check hedges and dense canopy before any pruning
• 🌱Last chance for bare-root tree planting this season, container-grown trees are the alternative from March

Good this month

• 🌿Ivy removal, full extent of coverage visible before ivy leafs up; ideal timing
• 📋TPO applications for summer work, submit now to allow the 8-week council decision period
• 🔍Tree health surveys, first leaf emergence makes ash dieback symptoms visible; ideal timing
• ✂️Last chance for dormant-season fruit tree pruning before bud burst on early species

Watch out for

• 🐦Nesting season is underway, a professional nest survey is required before tree removal or heavy pruning
• 🍑Do not prune cherry, plum or other Prunus species, silver leaf disease enters through wounds in wet spring conditions

Good this month

• 🍂Ash dieback assessment, delayed or absent leaf burst is the key diagnostic symptom; April is the window
• 📄BS 5837 tree surveys for planning applications, spring is ideal as tree status is clearly visible
• 🌱Container-grown tree planting with good irrigation, bare-root season is over but container stock establishes well
• 📋Plan and book crown thinning and lifting for summer, busy season approaching

Watch out for

• 🐦Nesting season at its peak, professional nest check legally required before significant tree work or removal
• 🌳Do NOT prune oaks from April through July, high-risk period for acute oak decline and pathogen transmission through fresh wounds

Good this month

• ☀️Crown thinning assessment, shading impact at its most apparent; ideal time to evaluate how much work is needed
• 🍎Summer pruning of trained fruit trees (espaliers, fans, cordons) begins from late May
• 🔍Tree health surveys, full canopy visible, health and structural issues clearly assessable
• 💀Deadwooding, dead branches obvious against green growth; good visibility for climbers

Watch out for

• 🐦Nesting season continues through August, nest check required before any tree removal or significant pruning work
• 🌳Oak pruning still prohibited, wait until late August at the earliest before any work on oaks

Good this month

• ☀️Crown thinning, the ideal month; full shade effect is at its most apparent and measurable
• 🚗Crown lifting, full leaf reveals exactly what clearance is needed over driveways, paths and lawns
• 🍎Summer pruning of trained fruit trees (espaliers, fans, cordons), June to August
• 🌿Ivy removal, fully leafed coverage at its most obvious; impact on host trees clearly visible

Watch out for

• 🐦Bird nesting still active through August, nest survey required before any felling or heavy crown work
• 🌳Do not prune oaks, risk of acute oak decline pathogen transmission is at peak through summer months

Good this month

• ☀️Crown thinning and lifting, full canopy season continues; shading assessments most accurate
• 🔍Tree health surveys, disease symptoms and structural issues at their clearest in full leaf
• 📄Arboricultural reports for planning applications, trees in full leaf give the clearest assessment
• 🍎Summer pruning of trained fruit trees continues, reduces vigour and improves fruit quality

Watch out for

• 🌳Avoid oak pruning until late August at the earliest, risk of pathogen transmission through fresh cuts remains high
• 🌡️Hot dry weather stresses recently pruned trees, ensure any new plantings have adequate water through summer

Good this month

• 🍎Fruit tree pruning (untrained trees), late August onwards is the traditional start of the summer pruning window
• 🍂Ash dieback surveys, ideal window before leaf fall; symptoms at their most visible
• ☀️Crown thinning and lifting continue through August
• 📅Book autumn and winter tree removal now, September and October diaries fill fast

Watch out for

• 🐦Nesting season typically ends in late August, confirm no active nests before cutting; late broods are common in warm years
• 🪵Dry hard ground can affect stump grinding access, check site conditions before booking

Good this month

• 🌱Tree planting, container-grown trees settle in well during September; soil is warm and moist
• 🍎Fruit tree pruning (after harvest), September is a good window for untrained apple, pear and plum
• 📋TPO applications for winter tree removal, submit now to allow the 8-week decision period
• 🍂Ash dieback assessments, symptoms at their most definitive just before leaf fall

Watch out for

• 💧Ground can become wet in September, check access for heavy machinery like chippers and stump grinders
• 📋Confirm TPO or conservation area status before booking any tree removal, enforcement doesn’t pause for autumn

Good this month

• 🌱Bare-root tree planting season begins, best value and outstanding establishment rates
• 🌲Tree removal, leaves beginning to fall, structure becoming visible; arisings easier to manage
• 🪵Stump grinding, prime season; ground firm but not frozen, good access
• 🌿Pollarding, October to November is a good secondary window for willows and limes

Watch out for

• 💧Ground conditions can be variable, confirm site access before scheduling heavy equipment
• 📋Confirm all necessary permissions for protected trees, TPO consent is still required regardless of season

Good this month

• 🌱Bare-root tree planting peak, November to February gives the best establishment rates
• 🌲Tree removal and felling, dormant season in full; leaves off, clean work, full structure visible
• ✂️Structural crown pruning, ideal visibility for assessing and improving tree architecture
• 💀Deadwooding, all dead wood now clearly visible without leaf cover; most efficient time of year

Watch out for

• 🦇Check for roosting bats before removing veteran trees or those with cavities, bats are legally protected year-round
• 💧Wet or frozen ground can affect stump grinding and site access, plan accordingly

Good this month

• 🌲Tree removal, quietest booking period of the year; often the shortest wait times
• ✂️Structural crown pruning and pollarding, full dormancy, clean cuts, minimal stress
• 🌱Bare-root tree planting continues through December and into the new year
• 📅Plan ahead, book spring and summer work now before diaries fill in February and March

Watch out for

• ❄️Frozen ground delays stump grinding, confirm ground conditions before scheduling grinding work
• 🌑Short daylight hours in December mean larger jobs may need to be split across two days