How Our Arborists Turn Tree Waste into Renewable Energy
Every time our team at Hickson Wardle prunes, reduces, or removes a tree, we generate a surprising amount of waste. It never made sense to us that timber ended up in landfill when it could be put to better use. So, we make sure our green waste becomes part of a sustainable, renewable energy supply rather than a problem to dispose of.
This means when you book our tree maintenance services, you’re not just dealing with an overgrown tree or a storm-damaged limb. You’re also helping to make better use of waste, reduce reliance on fossil fuels and support cleaner energy generation in the UK.
What Happens to Branches After a Job?
On-site, our arborists generally feed branches and smaller timber directly into the chipper, producing wood chips that are easy to transport. Larger sections of trunk and heavier timber are cut down to size for separate handling, depending on their condition and potential use.
Once we leave your property, this material doesn’t simply get dumped; it’s collected and sent to facilities that specialise in turning arboricultural waste into useful products. Broadly speaking, the green waste from our tree work ends up in three main categories:
● Wood chips are suitable for biomass fuel
● Timber for other uses, where quality allows
● Finer material and sweepings that can be composted or recycled in other ways
By treating the waste from each job as a resource rather than a by-product, our certified arborists help make sure as much material as possible goes back into the circular economy.
What is Biomass and How is Tree Waste Used?
Biomass is an organic material - in this case, wood - that can be used to produce energy. In London and across the UK, wood chips from tree work are used in biomass boilers for commercial buildings, schools, and public sites, as well as in combined heat and power (CHP) systems and even larger-scale biomass power stations.
The process is straightforward: branches and logs are chipped and, where required, dried to a specified size and moisture content, then supplied as fuel. When that fuel is burned, it releases carbon, but because new trees continually grow and absorb carbon, this is considered a low‑carbon, renewable cycle when managed properly.
As arborists, we see this as one of the most practical ways to turn necessary tree work into a positive contribution to the city’s energy rather than a drain on landfill capacity.
Why Biomass Is a Sustainable Choice
Sending waste from crown lifting, thinning and reduction, pollarding, crown restoration, tree removal, and stump grinding to biomass has several benefits:
● Reduces the volume of material going to landfill and the associated disposal costs.
● Provides a renewable fuel that can reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
● Supports local supply chains, with fuel often produced relatively close to where the trees were originally growing.
For biomass to remain a sustainable option, the whole chain needs to consider its carbon footprint - from chipping and transport through to how the fuel is used. By working locally, providing tree maintenance services in Hackney and the surrounding boroughs, we help keep the transport element efficient while ensuring our waste goes to the right place.
How this Approach Fits with Caring for the City’s Trees
Our main job is always to care for the city’s trees, making sure they’re safe, healthy and managed in a way that works for both people and the environment. Sometimes, this means careful crown reduction or pruning, and other times, it means removing a tree that is no longer safe. Either way, there is always waste to deal with.
Using biomass doesn’t change the high standards of work we carry out on site, but it does influence how we think about each tree's life cycle. When a mature tree can’t be saved, we know the timber still has a role to play. In many cases, we also advise on tree replanting and long-term tree maintenance services, so there’s a new generation of trees growing to replace any that have reached the end of their life.
What This Means for You as a Client
When you hire a certified arborist to work on your trees, it’s reasonable to ask what happens to the waste. We’re always happy to explain the process, and you can feel comfortable carrying out any necessary work to maintain tree health, knowing you’re contributing to a more sustainable approach to urban tree management.
No matter what tree service you require, our team will clear all green waste from your site, unless you specifically want to keep some logs or wood chips. The waste will be collected in our vehicles and placed in biomass and recycling streams rather than in landfills. Everything is handled transparently and professionally, in line with current regulations and best practice, so you know your tree work is being managed responsibly from start to finish.
For some commercial clients, the link between essential tree maintenance services and renewable energy is an important part of their ESG plans. We’re used to providing businesses, schools and local councils with the information they need, whether it’s for internal use or external reporting, and we’re always happy to explain how our process works.
Choosing an Arborist in North London Who Cares About Waste
Not every arborist in London handles waste in the same way, so it’s worth asking a few questions when you’re comparing quotes. How will the waste be removed? Where does it go afterwards? and will the timber be recycled or used for biomass when possible? A good certified arborist should be able to explain:
● How they deal with the waste collected after each job
● Whether waste is recycled or sent into the biomass stream rather than landfill
It’s also beneficial to check that an arborist is properly insured and working to recognised arboricultural standards, as these details say a lot about how a company operates day to day. As a team with more than 20 years of experience in Hackney, we believe the link between good tree care and responsible waste handling is non‑negotiable.
If you need help with pruning, reduction or tree felling and want to be sure the waste is handled responsibly, we can help. Our experienced arborists will assess your trees, recommend the right work, and ensure any timber removed is used responsibly rather than going to landfill. To find out more about our tree maintenance services or to arrange a visit from a qualified arborist in North London, get in touch today, and we will be happy to help.