Groundworks Devon & Cornwall

Yes. We cover the whole of Devon and Cornwall — from Exeter and Plymouth in the south to Barnstaple and Bude in the north, and from Saltash and Launceston in the east to Penzance and Land’s End in the west. If you are unsure whether we cover your area, call us and we will confirm.

It depends on whether your tree has a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) or sits within a Conservation Area or National Park. Devon’s Dartmoor and Exmoor National Parks, and Cornwall’s many Conservation Areas and AONB-covered villages, have specific notification requirements. We check the planning status of every tree before any work begins and handle all required applications and notifications for you.

Yes. Cornwall’s coastline is almost entirely within the Cornwall AONB, and Devon has the East Devon AONB, the North Devon Coast AONB, and the South Devon AONB. Working within an AONB does not automatically require consent, but TPOs are more common and local planning authorities apply additional scrutiny. We navigate this as a matter of routine.

For genuine emergencies — a tree on a roof, blocking a road, or posing immediate danger — we respond 24 hours a day, seven days a week across Devon and Cornwall. The South West is hit by some of the UK’s most severe Atlantic storms and emergency response is a significant part of our work here. Call us rather than messaging for anything urgent.

Yes. All our team members hold NPTC qualifications including aerial tree work, chainsaw operations, and utility arboriculture. We carry £10 million public liability insurance on every job. We can provide certificates on request.

Always. We visit the site, assess the tree, check TPO and AONB status, and give you a written quote with a fixed price. No charge for the visit, no obligation to proceed, no hidden extras.

Yes — coastal tree management is a significant part of our work in Devon and Cornwall. Salt spray, prevailing Atlantic winds, sandy or shallow soils, and rapid growth in mild microclimates all create challenges that differ from inland work. We understand coastal tree stress and manage it accordingly.

Yes. Ash dieback is now widespread across Devon and Cornwall. We assess ash trees for signs of infection, advise on the risk they pose, and carry out safe removal. Early intervention is significantly cheaper than emergency removal after a tree has become structurally dangerous. If you have ash trees on your property, a survey is worth doing now.

We give you the choice. Logs can be left split for firewood, left whole, or removed from site. Chippings can be spread as mulch or removed. We do not leave a mess regardless of what you decide.

Yes. Both National Parks require notification before most tree work, and certain works require formal consent from the Park authority. We handle all notifications and applications as part of the job — no extra charge. We are familiar with the specific requirements of both parks.