Why Choose Waterman Tree Co. for your Tree Surgery in Devon
When you choose Waterman Tree Co, you’re not just hiring any tree surgeon — you’re working with an experienced, qualified and environmentally conscious team. As described on our website, we’re fully accredited (SMAS, NPTC, Lantra, City & Guilds) and carry up to £5 million public liability insurance to ensure safety and professionalism for every job — whether a small domestic garden or a large commercial site.
Operating from our base in Totnes, we serve homeowners, businesses, community groups and non-profits across Devon — Plymouth, Exeter, Torquay and beyond. Our mission is to balance tree health, safety, conservation and aesthetics for each of our clients, while maintaining a strong commitment to sustainability and high-quality workmanship.
In this post, we’ll outline the range of tree surgery services we offer across Devon — including a special look at winter maintenance when weather and seasonal challenges make proactive tree care particularly important.
Our Key Tree Surgery Services in Devon
Tree Pruning and Crown Work
Crown Reduction / Crown Thinning / Crown Lifting — for trees that need reshaping, light, clearance over garden paths, or reduced wind exposure. Waterman Tree Co’s arborists know how to prune carefully to preserve health while improving structure.
Formative Pruning — shaping younger trees so they grow strong and healthy, minimising future risk or structural problems.
Wondering what the difference is between crown reduction/thinning/and lifting? Check out this blog which examples the differences between our tree crown services.
Tree pruning is essential for keeping trees healthy, balanced, and safe, especially in Devon’s exposed coastal and rural landscapes. Waterman Tree Co carries out precise crown reductions, thinning, and lifting to improve airflow, reduce wind resistance, increase light, and prevent structural weakness. Our skilled arborists ensure every cut supports long-term health and natural tree form.
Crown work helps manage a tree’s overall size, weight distribution, and shape. Crown reduction reduces dominance and prevents wind-loading in stormy weather, while crown thinning increases airflow and reduces the risk of limb failure. Crown lifting improves access and light around gardens and pathways. Each technique is applied carefully to maintain structural integrity and vitality.
Formative pruning focuses on shaping younger trees so they grow strong, well-balanced, and resilient as they mature. By correcting early defects—such as competing leaders, rubbing branches, or poor angles—Waterman Tree Co prevents issues that might otherwise require invasive work later. This improves long-term safety, appearance, and natural growth patterns, helping young trees thrive.
Tree Removal & Felling
When a tree becomes dangerous, diseased, dead, or unsuitable for its environment, safe removal may be the best option. Waterman Tree Co specialises in controlled tree removal and felling and complex dismantles, even in tight or sensitive locations. Our trained arborists use rigging and advanced techniques to protect surrounding buildings, gardens, wildlife, and property during the process.
Stump Grinding & Removal
Stump grinding removes the remaining base of a felled tree, preventing regrowth and eliminating a trip hazard. This service is ideal for preparing an area for replanting, landscaping, or new garden features. Waterman Tree Co uses efficient, modern equipment to grind stumps below ground level, leaving a clean, level surface ready for future use.
Hedge Works & Boundary Maintenance
Healthy, well-maintained hedges play a key role in privacy, garden aesthetics, and boundary definition. Waterman Tree Co provides hedge trimming, shaping, reductions, and annual maintenance for a wide variety of species. Our experienced team ensures hedges are kept neat, balanced, and in optimal condition while preserving their long-term structure and encouraging healthy regrowth.
Commercial & Large-Scale Tree Works
Commercial sites require a high level of planning and safety, especially where public access or business operations are involved. Waterman Tree Co delivers professional large-scale tree services for schools, housing developments, estates, and commercial premises. Our team manages everything from complex removals to routine maintenance with efficient project coordination and strict adherence to safety standards.
Emergency & Responsive Tree Services
Storm damage, fallen trees, and sudden structural failures require urgent action to protect people and property. Waterman Tree Co provides prompt emergency tree work throughout Devon, responding quickly to make sites safe and remove hazardous limbs or unsupported trees. Our team is trained to work under challenging conditions while prioritising safety and preventing further risk.
Why Winter Is the Ideal Time for Tree Surgery in Devon — and How We Help
Winter often presents the best window of opportunity for many tree surgery tasks. For both tree health and safety, Waterman Tree Co encourages clients to consider seasonal maintenance before storms or severe weather sets in.
1. Dormant-Season Pruning & Crown Work
During winter many deciduous trees are dormant — making them less stressed by pruning. It’s easier to clearly assess branch structure without foliage, helping us prune more accurately and safely. This is especially useful for crown thinning, crown lifting or reductions ahead of spring growth, ensuring healthy regrowth and improved structure.
2. Storm-Proofing & Safety Assessments
Devon’s winter storms, strong coastal winds, and heavy rain can stress trees — especially those with weak forks, dead or overextended limbs, or root instability. Waterman Tree Co can conduct full safety inspections and carry out pre-emptive pruning or removal to reduce risk to people, homes and properties.
3. Deadwood & Hazardous Branch Removal
Deadwood, weakened limbs, or disease-affected branches are more likely to fail in high winds or ice. Removing them in advance significantly reduces hazards, protects property, and improves overall tree health.
4. Stump Grinding & Site Clearing
Winter works well for stump removal and site clearance — preparing the garden or outdoor space for new planting, landscaping, or renovation when spring arrives.
5. Hedge Maintenance & Boundary Work
Dormant season is often the right time for heavier hedge reductions or boundary hedge re-shaping — avoiding the stress of trimming during growing seasons and giving hedges time to recover before spring flush.
What Makes Waterman Tree Co Stand Out
Expert Qualifications & Safety First
Waterman Tree Co is led by highly trained arborists holding recognised industry qualifications including SMAS, NPTC, Lantra, and City & Guilds. These accreditations reflect our commitment to safe working practices, technical competence, and continuous professional development. Every member of our team is trained to assess, manage, and carry out tree works to the highest standards, ensuring every project—large or small—is approached with skill, precision, and responsibility.
Insured & Fully Covered
Clients benefit from complete peace of mind knowing Waterman Tree Co carries up to £5 million in public liability insurance. This level of cover protects property owners, commercial clients, and the general public during all aspects of tree work, including challenging or high-risk operations. It demonstrates our commitment to operating safely, professionally, and transparently, ensuring every job is carried out with the appropriate safeguards in place.
Sustainability & Environmental Responsibility
Caring for trees also means caring for the environment. Waterman Tree Co recycles 100% of the green waste generated during our work, turning timber, branches, and chippings into reusable materials. We also support wider environmental initiatives, such as tree-planting programmes that contribute to woodland regeneration. Our sustainable approach ensures that every job not only benefits clients but also reduces our impact on the environment and supports long-term conservation.
Client-Focused Service
We pride ourselves on delivering a service that is friendly, honest, and centred around each client’s needs. Whether working in a domestic garden, a school, a business premises, or a large commercial site, we take time to understand what matters most—whether that’s safety, aesthetics, tree health, or compliance with regulations. We leave every site clean, tidy, and cared for, with clear communication and reliable service from the first visit to completion.
Coverage Across Devon
Based in Totnes, Waterman Tree Co offers comprehensive coverage across Devon, serving areas such as Plymouth, Exeter, Torquay, Newton Abbot, and many surrounding towns and villages. Our local knowledge of Devon’s tree species, landscapes, and weather patterns enables us to provide advice and services tailored to the county’s unique environment. Whether urban or rural, we’re well positioned to support clients right across the region.
Preparing Your Trees for a Safe, Healthy Devon Winter
Winter isn’t just a quiet season for trees — it’s a critical time for proactive care, safety checks, and maintenance. With Waterman Tree Co, you benefit from professional expertise, accredited safety standards, environmentally conscious practices, and a full suite of services tailored to both domestic gardens and commercial sites across Devon.
Whether you’re thinking about pruning, stump removal, hedge maintenance, or storm-proofing ahead of the colder months, now is an excellent time to get in touch. Let’s ensure your trees — and your property — are ready for whatever the Devon winter throws at them.
FAQ About Winter Tree Services in Devon
What qualifications and insurance does Waterman Tree Co have?
Our arborists are accredited by SMAS, NPTC, Lantra and City & Guilds — and we carry public liability insurance up to £5 million.
Do I need permission to remove a tree in my Devon garden?
In many cases, yes. Trees can be protected by Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) or fall within conservation areas, which means you’ll need local authority approval before removal. Our arborists carry out tree surveys and inspections to identify these protections, provide the necessary reports, and guide you through the legal process so you avoid fines or delays.
Why is winter a good time for tree pruning or maintenance?
In winter, many trees are dormant — reducing stress from pruning and making tree structure visible, which helps us prune safely and effectively.
Explore our Tree Surveys & Inspections
Does Waterman Tree Co handle commercial as well as domestic tree work?
Yes — we provide tree surgery services for homeowners, businesses, schools, property managers and larger commercial sites across Devon.
Can Waterman Tree Co respond to emergencies (storm damage, fallen trees)?
Yes — we offer emergency tree work and call-outs for storm damage, fallen limbs, dangerous trees or urgent removals to protect property and public safety.