As the days grow shorter and the temperatures drop, it’s time to think about preparing your trees and outdoor spaces for winter. At DTG Trees & Grounds, we’re already helping clients across Dawlish, Exeter, Torbay, and the wider Devon area get ahead of seasonal challenges with professional tree care and grounds maintenance services.

Winter brings a unique set of risks for trees and landscapes, from storm damage to hidden structural weaknesses. Without proper care, what seems like a healthy tree can become a serious safety concern — especially during high winds, heavy rain, or frost.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through why winter preparation matters, the services we offer to help, and how you can get started with a free consultation from our expert team.

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Why Winter Tree Care Matters

While most people think of spring and summer as the key seasons for outdoor work, autumn and early winter are actually some of the best times to inspect and manage trees. Trees begin to slow their growth, making it easier to spot issues with structure, decay, and root stability.

Ignoring winter prep can lead to:

• Storm-damaged branches falling unexpectedly
• Increased risk of property damage or injury
• Worsening of existing tree decay or disease
• Fallen trees blocking access or pathways

By planning ahead, you reduce risks and ensure your property remains safe and tidy all winter long.

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Our Core Winter Services

At DTG Trees & Grounds, we offer a full range of tree care and grounds maintenance services to help you prepare for the winter months. Whether you’re a homeowner, landlord, commercial site manager, or public body, our team is ready to help.

Here’s how we can support you this season:

1. Winter Tree Surveys & Risk Assessments

Our in-house consultancy division, led by a qualified Professional Tree Inspector (PTI), offers detailed tree surveys across Devon. We inspect for signs of decay, instability, or disease and provide written reports with clear, actionable recommendations.

• Ideal for private landowners, schools, commercial sites, and councils
• Includes BS5837 surveys for planning or development
• Helps manage risk and meet legal duty-of-care obligations

2. Pruning, Deadwood Removal & Crown Reductions

Tree maintenance is essential before winter sets in. Removing deadwood and reducing overly heavy crowns helps prevent storm-related failures and supports long-term tree health.

• Reduces the likelihood of branches breaking in high winds
• Improves overall tree structure and appearance
• Encourages better regrowth in spring

3. Emergency Tree Work & Storm Damage Response

If a tree fails unexpectedly, fast and safe removal is crucial. We offer emergency call-outs across Devon, with experienced teams ready to safely remove fallen or hazardous trees.

• Quick response times
• MEWP access available for high or unstable trees
• All work fully insured and compliant with HSE standards

4. Hedge Cutting & Seasonal Maintenance

Don’t let overgrown hedges become a problem this winter. We provide hedge trimming, reduction, and full removal services to improve access, safety, and site appearance.

• Available for domestic gardens, commercial boundaries, and estates
• Woodchip can be removed or recycled locally
• Nesting bird checks carried out as standard

5. Stump Grinding & Clearance

Winter is a great time to complete site clearance and remove stumps left behind from previous work. We use professional-grade Predator stump grinders to remove roots quickly and cleanly.

• Prepares ground for replanting or landscaping
• Reduces trip hazards and regrowth
• Supports long-term site development or fencing installations

Local Expertise, Trusted Results

We’ve built a strong reputation as trusted arborists and grounds maintenance experts throughout Dawlish, Exeter, Teignbridge, Torbay, and beyond. Our clients include homeowners, commercial sites, schools, housing associations, and developers — all of whom trust us to deliver safe, reliable, and environmentally responsible work.

We’re proud to be:

• ARB Approved Contractors
• SafeContractor Accredited
• Fully insured and qualified
• Locally based with deep knowledge of Devon’s landscapes
• Known for fast response times and friendly, professional service

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What Our Winter Clients Say

“DTG Trees & Grounds responded at short notice when our site needed urgent hedge removal before a fence installation. Quick, professional, and extremely tidy work. We’ll definitely be using them again.”
– Client in Paignton

“Thanks to the team for completing our pre-winter tree survey so quickly. The report was easy to understand and helped us avoid issues we wouldn’t have spotted otherwise.”
– Commercial client, Exeter

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Book Your Winter Tree Care Today

Don’t wait for bad weather to strike before you act. Booking your winter tree survey, grounds maintenance, or emergency clearance work now gives you peace of mind and avoids unnecessary risk.

At DTG Trees & Grounds, we offer free, no-obligation quotes and a professional approach from start to finish. Whether you’re based in Dawlish, Exeter, Torquay, Newton Abbot, or anywhere in Devon, we’re here to help.