About Matt Sellars Tree Surgeon
Matt Sellars has been caring for trees since 1992 — giving him over 30 years of hands-on experience. He holds a National Diploma in Urban Forestry from Askham Bryan College in York, and all team members are City & Guilds trained and licensed. Hundreds of five-star Google reviews reflect three decades of satisfied customers across Leeds.
Yes. Matt Sellars Tree Surgeon Ltd carries up to £10 million Public Liability Insurance as well as full Employees Liability Insurance, giving homeowners and organisations complete peace of mind.
The business is based in Garforth, Leeds and serves customers across Leeds and the wider West Yorkshire area.
Yes Matt Sellars employs a specialist health and safety officer to ensure the business is always operating safely and up to date with all industry specifications and regulations.
Yes Matt Sellars has over 150 five star reviews over the last 10 years from happy customers both domestic and commercial.
Yes Matt works alongside several fencing companies to properly prepare the ground to enable fences to be installed.
Yes Matt Sellars is the principal contractor for several large construction firms, and can facilitate all levels of site clearance and preparation.
Regulations & Permissions FAQs
In most cases, you do not need permission to work on a tree in your own garden. However, there are two important exceptions:
- Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) – if your tree has a TPO in place, you must apply to Leeds City Council before carrying out any work.
- Conservation Areas – if your property is in a Conservation Area, you must give Leeds City Council six weeks’ notice before felling or carrying out significant work on a tree.
Matt can help advise on whether your tree is likely to be protected.
Contact Matt for a free, no-obligation quote tailored to your specific situation on 07703 328 674, we should be able to give a rough estimate immediately over the phone.
are City & Guilds trained and licensed. Hundreds of five-star Google reviews reflect three decades of satisfied customers across Leeds.
A Tree Preservation Order is a legal protection placed on a specific tree by the local council, preventing it from being cut down, pruned, or otherwise damaged without prior consent. TPOs are typically placed on trees that make a significant contribution to the local environment. Breaching a TPO can result in a substantial fine. You can check whether a tree has a TPO via the Leeds City Council planning portal.
In England, you are legally entitled to cut back branches that overhang your property, up to the boundary line — but you do not have the right to cut beyond it. You should offer the cut branches back to your neighbour, as the tree and its parts legally belong to them. If the tree is protected by a TPO or is in a Conservation Area, you may still need consent even for overhanging branches. It’s worth seeking advice before proceeding.
Common Tree Services Questions
The cost of tree removal in Leeds varies depending on the size, species, location and accessibility of the tree, and whether stump removal is required. Smaller trees typically cost less than large, mature specimens.
Contact Matt for a free, no-obligation quote tailored to your specific situation on 07703 328 674, we should be able to give a rough estimate immediately over the phone.
are City & Guilds trained and licensed. Hundreds of five-star Google reviews reflect three decades of satisfied customers across Leeds.
Matt Sellars Tree Surgeon provides a full range of tree care services including:
– Tree removal and felling
– Tree reduction, pruning and crown thinning
– Stump grinding and removal
– Wood chipping
– Emergency tree work
– Tree work for schools and housing associations
– Ash Dieback diagnosis and removal
Tree reduction involves carefully cutting back the crown, branches, or height of a tree to make it safer, more manageable, or better suited to its surroundings — without removing the tree entirely. It’s often a better option than full removal when a tree is healthy but has grown too large. Matt can advise on the best approach for your tree.
Crown thinning is the selective removal of branches throughout the tree’s canopy to allow more light through and reduce wind resistance, while maintaining the tree’s natural shape. It’s a specialist skill — Matt’s team considers how the tree will look in full leaf before making any cuts.
Yes — stump grinding is offered as a separate service after tree removal. It uses specialist machinery to grind the stump down below ground level. It’s not always necessary, but is recommended if you want to replant in the same spot, lay turf, or prevent regrowth and tripping hazards.
Yes. Trees can become dangerous after storms or sudden deterioration. Matt and his team are available for emergency call-outs to deal with fallen, leaning, or hazardous trees quickly and safely. With 30+ years of experience, they can handle urgent situations efficiently.
Yes. Matt is trusted by a number of Leeds housing associations and schools including Ninelands Lane Primary School, St Benedicts Catholic School, and Broomfield South SLIC School. Work for schools can be scheduled on weekends and during school holidays to avoid disruption.
All wood and green waste is cleared from the site as standard. Wood chippings can be left with the customer for use as garden mulch if preferred.
Questions about Tree Health
Ash Dieback (Hymenoscyphus fraxineus) is a serious fungal disease that affects ash trees, causing wilting, lesions and eventually death of the tree. It was first detected in the UK in 2012 and is now very widespread. Infected trees can become structurally unstable and dangerous. Matt Sellars is a specialist in diagnosing and safely removing trees affected by Ash Dieback. If you have an ash tree showing signs of die-back, yellowing, or unusual lesions, contact Matt for an assessment.
Signs that a tree may be dangerous include:
– Dead or falling branches
– A significant lean (especially if recent)
– Fungal growth, mushrooms, or brackets at the base or on the trunk
– Cracks or splits in the trunk or major branches
– Hollow sections or cavities
– Roots that are lifting, damaged, or in waterlogged ground
If you’re concerned about a tree, Matt offers assessments and will give honest advice — he won’t recommend removal if it isn’t necessary.
Yes — in many cases there are alternatives to full removal. Reduction, crown thinning, deadwooding, can all extend the life and improve the safety of a tree. Matt will always discuss the full range of options and recommend the least invasive approach that addresses your concerns.
Got More Tree Questions?
Get in touch with Matt Sellars Tree Specialists today and we will endeavour to answer all your tree related questions.
Get in Touch