Tree Surgeon in Lewes
The county town of East Sussex sits entirely within the South Downs National Park, so tree work here comes with extra planning considerations. We know the process and handle the paperwork for you.
Tree Surgeons in Lewes
Lewes occupies one of the most dramatic settings of any Sussex town, built on a spur above the gap the River Ouse cuts through the South Downs. The whole town lies within the South Downs National Park, and its historic core has been a designated conservation area since 1970 — first designated by East Sussex County Council and extended by the South Downs National Park Authority in 2012. The gardens that climb the slopes behind the High Street are often old, walled, and full of established trees that have to be managed within that planning framework.
Working in Lewes is as much about access as it is about arboriculture. Many gardens are reached through narrow passages between flint walls, sit on steeply terraced ground, or back onto other properties rather than a road. We plan every Lewes job around how material will come out — lowering timber in sections where there is no drop zone and carrying waste through the house where that is the only route. It is slower, more methodical work than an open suburban garden, and we price it honestly after seeing the site.
The chalk that underlies the town favours the same species we see in Ditchling and along the scarp — beech, yew, ash, and whitethorn hedges — alongside garden planting from two centuries of townhouses. Because Lewes is in the National Park, tree works applications go to the South Downs National Park Authority rather than the district council, and conservation area notices are scrutinised carefully. We are used to this process from our regular work in Ditchling and can explain and justify proposed work in the terms the planning authority expects.
How We Help Lewes Homeowners
The most common jobs we take on in Lewes are crown reductions on mature trees in walled town gardens, sympathetic pruning where trees overhang neighbouring plots, and hedge work on established boundaries. Lewes is around 25 minutes from our Hassocks base over the Downs, close enough for us to attend storm damage promptly as well as scheduled work.
Crown Reduction
Tree getting too big? We’ll reduce its height and spread without ruining its shape. You get more light, less worry about branches, and a tree that still looks natural.
Learn More Tree Felling & Removal
Got a tree that needs to come down? We remove trees of any size, even in tight spots next to buildings, fences, or power lines. Everything cleared away and your garden left clean.
Learn More
Hedge Planting & Trimming
Whether you need a new hedge planted or an existing one brought back into shape, we’ll keep it looking sharp all year round.
Learn MoreTree Preservation Orders in Lewes
The South Downs National Park Authority is the planning authority for land within the National Park, which includes both Lewes and Steyning. Unless a property falls within Winchester, Chichester, or East Hampshire district (which handle their own applications), tree works applications inside the park are submitted directly to the SDNPA. Applications for work to TPO-protected trees are free, are made through the national Planning Portal, and are normally determined within 8 weeks. It is a criminal offence to carry out work on a TPO tree without consent.
For trees in conservation areas within the National Park that are not covered by a TPO, you must give 6 weeks’ notice before carrying out any work. Exemptions apply to trees with a trunk diameter under 75 mm measured at 1.5 m above ground (or under 100 mm where thinning is carried out to help the development of better trees). The authority aims to determine conservation area notifications within six weeks, and uses the notice period to decide whether the tree merits a TPO.
SDNPA tree officer (for TPO and conservation-area questions): 01730 814810 or planning@southdowns.gov.uk
“Ant made an amazing job of thinning out our Eucalyptus tree, and also took on a little topiary of a bay tree whilst with us. Highly recommended, the easiest and most pleasant person to deal with.”
“Antony came the same day I rang him to quote for the work. Then promptly came the next week to complete the work. Would highly recommended Antony”
“Ant has been cutting out hedges for years now and such a reliable great service.”
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Common Questions in Lewes
Who handles tree planning applications in Lewes?
Lewes is inside the South Downs National Park, so the South Downs National Park Authority is the planning authority for tree work. TPO applications and conservation area notices are submitted to the SDNPA — TPO applications are aimed to be determined within eight weeks and conservation area notices within six. We prepare and submit these on your behalf as part of the job.
Is Lewes in a conservation area?
Much of it, yes. The conservation area covering the historic core of Lewes was designated in 1970 and extended in 2012, and it takes in a large part of the town centre and the streets around it. Within it, you must give six weeks’ notice before working on any tree with a trunk diameter over 75 mm. We check your property’s status before quoting.
Can you handle gardens with difficult access in Lewes?
Yes — it is one of the reasons Lewes customers call us. Many of the town’s gardens are terraced, walled, or only reachable on foot. We dismantle trees in sections, use rigging to lower timber where there is no drop zone, and protect floors and doorways when waste has to come through the house.
How far is Lewes from your base?
We are based in Hassocks, about 9 miles away — roughly a 25-minute drive. Lewes is comfortably within our regular working area and we are there most weeks, so lead times are the same as for our Mid Sussex customers.
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