Healthy, safe trees thanks to qualified specialists
A poorly maintained tree can pose a risk to your property, your neighbours or passers-by. Whether you need preventive pruning, a tree that must be felled or a stump removed, hiring a professional helps ensure the job is done safely and correctly. Send your request to SOS Jardin: it is passed on to a professional gardener in your area, who gets in touch and prepares a free, no-obligation quote.
What is tree pruning and removal?
Tree pruning involves selectively cutting branches to maintain the health, shape and safety of a tree. There are several types of intervention:
- Maintenance pruning: removal of dead, diseased or poorly positioned branches to encourage balanced growth.
- Formative pruning: structural cuts made on young trees to guide their development from the earliest years.
- Sanitary pruning: targeted removal of parts affected by disease, fungi or pests to protect the rest of the tree and surrounding plants.
- Tree removal (felling): complete removal of a tree when it is dead, dangerous or can no longer be kept in its current location.
- Stump removal: extraction or grinding of the remaining stump after felling, to free up space for new planting or landscaping.
In Switzerland, some municipalities require a felling permit or protect specific tree species. A professional knows the local regulations and can handle the administrative process on your behalf.
Why hire a professional?
Working at height with chainsaws is not without risk. Here’s why you should leave this to a specialist:
- Safety: tree surgeons are trained in climbing techniques, directional felling and cable-bracing, and use personal protective equipment.
- Species expertise: every species responds differently to pruning. Incorrect cuts can weaken a tree permanently or trigger chaotic regrowth.
- Liability: if damage occurs to a neighbouring property or a power line, ask the professional about their insurance cover before work starts.
- Regulatory compliance: in Switzerland, many cantons (Geneva, Vaud, Fribourg, etc.) have strict regulations on tree felling. An expert can guide you through the permit process.
- Waste disposal and recycling: green waste is chipped on site or taken to approved composting facilities in an environmentally responsible manner.
- Accurate diagnosis: a professional arborist can identify signs of structural weakness (internal cavities, cracks, wood-decay fungi) using specialist tools such as a resistograph. A homeowner could easily overlook a hazardous tree without realising it.
- Enhancing your tree assets: well-executed pruning improves a tree’s silhouette, increases light in your garden and promotes fruiting in fruit trees. Conversely, topping — still far too common — disfigures the tree and shortens its lifespan.
Seasonal calendar in Western Switzerland
The climate of Western Switzerland, with its cold winters and warm summers, dictates a precise rhythm for pruning and felling work. Here is a season-by-season guide:
Winter (December – February)
This is the ideal period for pruning most deciduous trees (oaks, maples, limes, ash). The tree is dormant, sap is not flowing, and the absence of leaves gives a clear view of the branch structure. Temperatures in Western Switzerland regularly drop below 0 °C, but professionals are equipped to work in these conditions. It is also the best season for felling, as frozen ground better supports heavy machinery.
Spring (March – May)
The nesting season begins in March: federal nature protection law prohibits disturbing nesting birds. Before any pruning, a professional checks for active nests. This is the right time for formative pruning of young trees and for pruning stone-fruit trees (cherry, plum, apricot) just before or during flowering. Hedges can also receive their first spring trim.
Summer (June – August)
Heavy pruning is generally avoided in summer, as wounds heal less well and the tree is in full growth. However, it is the right time for sanitary pruning (removing diseased or broken branches) and for pinching back overly vigorous shoots. Summer is also ideal for spotting diseased trees, as symptoms (discoloured foliage, necrosis) are clearly visible.
Autumn (September – November)
After leaf fall (October–November in Western Switzerland), the branch framework is clearly visible again. This is a good period for pruning conifers (spruce, fir, thuja) and for planning winter felling. Have your large trees inspected before the autumn storm season. If you are planning a garden creation or landscaping project for the following spring, autumn is the ideal time for preparatory felling and stump removal.
How it works
Requesting a quote for your pruning or removal project is simple and free.
Step 1: Describe your project
Fill in our form, specifying the type of work required (pruning, felling, stump removal), the number and species of trees involved, their approximate height and the accessibility of the site. The more detail you provide, the more accurate the quote will be.
Step 2: Your request is passed on and you receive a free quote
SOS Jardin passes your request on to a professional gardener in your area. They contact you, assess the situation and provide a detailed quote, with no obligation.
Step 3: The professional carries out the work
The professional you choose carries out the work, including waste disposal, chipping and site clean-up as agreed in the quote.
What affects the price
The cost depends on the size of the tree, accessibility, species and type of work. The main factors are:
- Height and size of the tree: the larger the tree, the more time and equipment the job requires.
- Access: a tree near buildings, power lines or in a tight courtyard calls for more complex techniques.
- Species and condition: a diseased or unstable tree may need extra precautions.
- Type of work: pruning, felling, stump grinding and wood disposal are priced differently.
- Waste handling: whether the wood is chipped, cut into logs or taken away.
Every project is different, so the best way to know the cost is to request a free quote after the professional has assessed your trees. Always ask for it in writing.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to fell a tree in Switzerland?
In most cantons, yes. Rules differ by canton and municipality, so check with your commune before any felling. The professional you hire can advise you on this process.
When is the best time to prune a tree?
Generally, the ideal period is between November and March, when the tree is dormant. However, sanitary pruning can be carried out at any time of year if safety requires it. Fruit trees, meanwhile, are usually pruned in late winter.
What happens to the wood after felling?
The professional removes all branches and the trunk. Depending on your preference, the wood can be cut into logs for firewood, chipped for mulch or taken to a waste disposal facility. Let the contractor know your preference when requesting a quote.
How can I tell if my tree is diseased?
Several warning signs should prompt action: fungi at the base or on the trunk, sparse or yellowing foliage out of season, peeling bark, or an unusual number of dead branches. A tree surgeon or arborist can carry out a phytosanitary assessment and recommend a suitable treatment or, if necessary, preventive removal.
Is tree pruning covered by my building insurance?
Routine maintenance (preventive pruning) is your responsibility. However, if a tree falls due to a storm and damages your property, your building or household insurance may cover the cost. Check the terms of your policy and keep maintenance records as proof of due diligence.
Can my neighbour force me to prune my trees?
In Switzerland, planting distance rules near property boundaries are set by cantonal law and municipal regulations: check them with your commune. If your branches extend over a neighbour’s property, they may demand their removal after formal notice. A professional can carry out respectful pruning that satisfies both parties.
Can a protected tree be pruned or felled?
Some municipalities in Western Switzerland maintain a register of remarkable trees. Protection thresholds depend on the municipality’s regulations, to be checked with your commune. Felling a protected tree requires special authorisation and, in most cases, a replacement planting. The professional who contacts you can guide you through the process.
What is the difference between pruning and topping?
Pruning is a considered technique that respects the tree’s physiology: targeted branches are removed while preserving the crown and the tree’s ability to heal. Topping, by contrast, involves brutally cutting off the top of the tree, which triggers chaotic regrowth, permanently weakens the tree and creates a risk of breakage. Topping is strongly discouraged by professional arborists and may even be penalised in some municipalities. Always opt for gentle pruning carried out by a qualified specialist.