Tree Surgeon in Steyning
A historic town tucked under the Downs at the Adur gap, inside the South Downs National Park. We provide careful tree work that suits Steyning’s exposed position and protected setting.
Tree Surgeons in Steyning
Steyning sits at the north end of the gap the River Adur cuts through the South Downs, with the chalk escarpment rising steeply behind the town. Its historic core — Church Street with its medieval cottages, the High Street, and the lanes around the Saxon-founded church of St Andrew and St Cuthman — is a designated conservation area within the South Downs National Park. That protected setting shapes how tree work is done here: the Steyning Conservation Area is one of those the National Park Authority oversees, and six weeks’ notice is needed before working on established trees within it.
The Downs above the town tell you everything about wind exposure in Steyning. On Chanctonbury Hill, the famous ring of beeches planted by Charles Goring in 1760 stood as a landmark for two centuries — until the Great Storm of 1987 destroyed more than three-quarters of them, and the ring had to be replanted. Garden trees below the scarp face the same south-westerly winds on a smaller scale, which is why sensible crown reductions to lessen the sail area of exposed trees are the most valuable work we do here, especially ahead of winter.
Steyning falls within the part of Horsham district that lies inside the National Park, and since October 2024 the South Downs National Park Authority has dealt with all planning applications in that area — so TPO applications and conservation area notices for Steyning trees go to the SDNPA. It is a distinction that catches many homeowners out, and we sort out which authority applies as part of every quote. The town is around 10 miles from our Hassocks base, roughly a 25-minute drive through Henfield, where we work every week.
How We Help Steyning Homeowners
In Steyning we most often carry out wind-focused crown reductions on exposed mature trees, hedge trimming on the boundaries of the town’s older plots, and felling of declining ash on the surrounding farmland. The chalk-influenced soils at the foot of the Downs suit beech and yew, while the lower ground towards the Adur brings in oak and willow — every job starts with reading the tree and its position.
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.
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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.
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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 MoreTree Preservation Orders in Steyning
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
“Great work from start to finish. Ant and the team carried out a balanced reduction of our beech tree, a hard-reshape of a yew and removed a bay tree. Professional, tidy and experts at what they do.”
“Antony has looked after my garden trees and shrubs for some years now and his work is of high quality. The latest job involved pruning the overhanging trees from my neighbour’s garden - a task he performed very expertly. Antony is always prompt and polite and his charges are competitive. Well done.”
“Brilliant work by Antony and Paddy today. Very thorough, tidy and, in summary, an extremely professional job. I would fully recommend AG Garden and Tree to anyone.”
Plus 9.9/10 from over 200 Checkatrade reviews since 2017
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Common Questions in Steyning
Who handles tree work planning in Steyning?
Steyning lies within the South Downs National Park, and since October 2024 the South Downs National Park Authority has handled all planning applications for the part of Horsham district inside the park — including tree work. Conservation area notices and TPO applications for Steyning therefore go to the SDNPA. We confirm the position for your exact address and submit the paperwork on your behalf.
Is Steyning in a conservation area?
Yes — the historic centre of Steyning is a designated conservation area within the National Park. Before working on any tree inside it with a trunk diameter over 75 mm, six weeks’ notice must be given to the planning authority. We check whether your property is inside the boundary before we quote.
My trees are very exposed to wind — can you help?
This is common in Steyning, sitting as it does under the Downs at the Adur gap. A properly specified crown reduction, carried out to BS 3998, reduces the wind loading on a tree without ruining its shape or health — very different from topping, which we do not do. We can also assess storm-damaged trees and make them safe quickly.
Do you cover Bramber and Upper Beeding too?
Yes. We cover the whole Adur gap area — Steyning, Bramber, Upper Beeding, Ashurst, and Wiston. Bramber has its own conservation area within the National Park, so the same six-week notice rules apply there. It is all around 25 minutes from our Hassocks base.
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