Tree surgeons in Great Baddow, Chelmsford, Essex

Tree work in Great Baddow

Great Baddow is a large village on the south-east side of Chelmsford, in the CM2 postcode area. The River Chelmer marks its northern boundary, and at the 2021 census the parish had a population of 14,951. Much of the village grew in the 20th century, including the Rothmans estate built in the 1950s, so gardens range from older plots around the historic centre to compact estate gardens with trees and conifer screens planted close to houses and fences.

That mix shapes the work. In smaller back gardens reached through a side passage, trees usually come down in sections, with brash carried out by hand to a chipper at the front. Larger gardens nearer the old village often have mature trees where a crown reduction or thinning keeps the tree and deals with the problem.

The Great Baddow conservation area

Chelmsford City Council lists Great Baddow among its parish conservation areas (conservation areas in Chelmsford (opens in a new tab)). The council’s map records it as designated on 2 October 1969 and amended on 30 April 1991 (Great Baddow conservation area map, PDF (opens in a new tab)). The centre of the village is inside it, so check the map before booking work on trees around the historic core.

Conservation-area trees more than 7.5cm in diameter at 1.5 metres above the ground are protected as if they had a TPO, so you must give Chelmsford City Council six weeks’ notice before most work on them (check if a tree is protected (opens in a new tab)).

1. Search the TPO register by address on Chelmsford City Council’s TPO register (opens in a new tab). Check provisional orders as well as confirmed ones.
2. Is it in the Great Baddow conservation area? Use the council’s conservation areas map (opens in a new tab) or its map PDF linked above. Conservation-area trees more than 7.5cm in diameter at 1.5 metres above the ground are protected as if they had a TPO, so you must give Chelmsford City Council six weeks’ notice before most work on them (check if a tree is protected (opens in a new tab)).
3. Check for nesting birds and bats before work, whatever the time of year. See our nesting birds guide.
4. Apply or give notice through the council if needed. The Planning Portal says there is no fee for a works-to-trees application. Our TPO and conservation area guide walks through it.

Tree services in Great Baddow

Independent local tree surgeons covering Great Baddow can quote for:

• Tree removal & fellingStraight felling where there’s room, or section-by-section dismantling in tight Chelmsford gardens.
• Pruning & crown reductionCrown reduction, thinning, lifting and deadwood removal to keep a tree healthy and in proportion.
• Stump grindingGrind an old stump out below ground level so you can re-turf, plant or build over the spot.
• Hedge trimming & cuttingRegular trims, height reductions and overgrown hedges and conifer screens brought back under control.
• Emergency & storm-damaged treesSplit limbs, leaning or fallen trees after high winds. Response depends on local availability.

Not sure what you need? Describe the problem in the form (photos help) and let the tree surgeon suggest options. Our guide to what affects tree surgery costs explains how quotes are worked out, and the before you hire checklist covers insurance, qualifications and registered waste carriers.

Useful local contacts

• Great Baddow Parish Council is the parish-level council for the village (greatbaddowparishcouncil.gov.uk (opens in a new tab)). Chelmsford City Council says trees on public land are the landowner’s responsibility, which is often the city or parish council.
• Trees on road verges are usually Essex County Council’s. Report problems to Essex Highways (opens in a new tab).
• Fallen or storm-damaged tree? Our fallen tree guide explains who to call, and emergency tree help covers urgent enquiries.
• Garden waste: brown bin subscription and recycling centre booking are covered in our garden waste guide.

Frequently asked questions

Related guides

Plain-English guides for Chelmsford, Essex, checked against official sources:

• TPOs & conservation areasHow to check if a tree is protected in Chelmsford, how to apply, timescales and dead or dangerous trees.
• Fallen & storm-damaged treesWho is responsible, who to call for trees on roads and power lines, and first steps for insurance.
• Garden waste & recycling centresBrown bin subscription, Essex recycling centre booking and opening times, and what to do with branches, logs and stumps.

Need something else? Start at our tree surgeon in Chelmsford home page, or see the areas we cover.