Crane-Assisted Tree Work
Specialist Crane-Assisted Tree Removal
At David Alexander Tree Care, we provide specialist crane-assisted tree work for large, difficult or awkwardly positioned trees where a crane can make the removal safer, more controlled and more efficient.
Crane-assisted tree removal involves carefully dismantling a tree into sections and using a mobile crane to lift and remove those sections in a controlled manner.
With extensive experience in climbing arboriculture and complex crane-assisted removals, David brings specialist knowledge of both the tree and the lifting operation to every project.
When Is a Crane Used for Tree Removal?
A crane can be an excellent solution when conventional tree removal methods are difficult or when large sections of timber need to be removed from a restricted or sensitive site.
Crane-assisted tree work can be particularly useful for trees:
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Close to buildings or other structures
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In confined gardens or urban locations
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Over roads, driveways or other areas that need to remain protected
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Where access for traditional lowering methods is restricted
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Where large sections of timber would be difficult to lower safely
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Where the size or position of the tree makes a crane-assisted dismantling operation more appropriate
Every tree and site is different, so we assess the individual circumstances before deciding whether crane-assisted removal is the right solution.
How Crane-Assisted Tree Removal Works
A crane-assisted tree removal requires careful planning and coordination between the climbing arborist, crane operator and ground team.
Before work begins, we consider the:
Tree
The size, structure, condition and position of the tree are assessed to determine how it can be safely dismantled.
Crane
The crane's position, lifting capacity, working radius and access requirements all need to be considered when planning the operation.
Individual Picks
The tree is carefully dismantled into sections. Each section, or "pick", needs to be assessed before it is cut and lifted.
Rigging
Appropriate lifting equipment and rigging techniques are selected according to the individual section and lifting requirements.
Load
The likely weight, balance, shape and behaviour of each section must be considered before it is lifted from the tree.
Landing Area
A suitable area must be identified for each section to be safely placed once it has been removed from the tree.
This careful planning allows large sections of a tree to be removed in a controlled manner while minimising unnecessary impact on the surrounding area.
Why Experience Matters
Crane-assisted tree work is not simply a matter of attaching a tree section to a crane.
The arborist needs to understand how the tree will behave when a section is cut and lifted, how the section should be rigged, where the attachment point should be positioned and how the crane, climber and ground team need to work together.
David's experience as a climbing arborist gives him a detailed understanding of the practical challenges involved in crane-assisted tree dismantling.
His work includes technically demanding crane removals in challenging urban environments, where careful planning, communication and experience are essential.
David Juby – Specialist Crane & Climbing Arborist
David has more than 15 years of professional experience in arboriculture and has developed particular expertise in climbing and crane-assisted tree work.
In February 2025, David was the lead climbing arborist during the removal of two London Plane trees on Doughty Street in Camden, London.
The operation was a technically demanding urban crane removal and was filmed as part of a documentary project. The documentary was subsequently publicly screened at the 2026 Deutsche Baumpflegetage in Augsburg, Germany.
Specialist Crane & Rigging Training
David's experience in crane-assisted arboriculture has also led to his involvement in specialist professional training.
David was invited by Ron Stanley to become an instructor on the inaugural Rigging Training Course With Crane, held at MediArb Training in Warwickshire.
The course brought together experienced UK arboricultural practitioners with specialist trainers from Formazione 3T in Italy, combining crane and lifting knowledge with the practical requirements of arboricultural tree work.
David's involvement in specialist training reflects the practical experience he has gained through many years of working as a climbing arborist on complex crane-assisted operations.
A Safer, More Controlled Approach to Difficult Tree Work
When carefully planned and carried out by experienced arborists and crane operators, crane-assisted tree removal can provide an effective solution for trees that would otherwise be particularly difficult to dismantle.
The crane allows sections to be lifted from the tree rather than relying solely on conventional lowering techniques, giving the team greater control over the removal of large sections.
However, a crane is not automatically the right solution for every tree. We assess the individual tree, site, access and surrounding environment before recommending the most appropriate method.
Need a Crane-Assisted Tree Removal?
If you have a large, difficult or awkwardly positioned tree and think a crane may be required, get in touch with David Alexander Tree Care.
We can assess the tree and site and advise whether crane-assisted removal would be an appropriate solution.
David Alexander Tree Care
Professional Arboriculture | Specialist Climbing | Crane-Assisted Tree Work
Call us for a free quote: 07476 444941