Enhancing Safety and Light: Lime Tree Work in Highgate

This week, the Gibbs & Haynes team was called out to Highgate to carry out essential work on a mature Lime Tree situated in a residential garden. Lime Trees are a much-loved feature in many North London gardens – valued for their elegant form and shade – but they do require regular maintenance to ensure safety and preserve their structure.

Our objectives were threefold: to crown thin, raise the canopy, and remove dead wood. This wasn’t just a cosmetic job – some of the dead branches were sizeable enough to pose a serious risk to people using the garden below. Safety is always our top priority, and in this case, it was a critical intervention.

The crown thinning allowed more light to filter through, not only into our client’s garden but also benefiting neighbouring properties. We raised the canopy to improve clearance and restore the tree’s graceful silhouette. Most importantly, all hazardous dead wood was removed, significantly reducing the risk of falling debris.

The result? A beautifully shaped Lime Tree that retains its character and elegance, while being far safer for the residents and garden users below. The overall effect has transformed the space – brighter, safer, and still in keeping with the leafy charm of the Highgate area.

We documented the process with before-and-after photographs, clearly showing the improvement in both appearance and light penetration.

At Gibbs & Haynes, our work is about more than just tree surgery – it’s about long-term care, safety, and ensuring trees remain assets rather than liabilities. Whether it’s a Lime Tree in need of attention or any other species, we’re here to provide expert, tailored tree care across North London.

If you’re concerned about tree safety or looking to enhance light and space in your garden, get in touch. We’d be happy to advise.

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After