The man's body was left hanging for more than 21/2 hours as emergency services tried several times to retrieve him.

Specialist police rescue officers, firefighters and paramedics were called to Kiara Close after neighbours spotted the man dangling from the tree about 6pm.

It is believed the man became wedged between two branches of a tree in the front yard of a Kiara Close house and was badly injured as he tried to wiggle free. He died in the tree soon after.

Firefighters used ladders to reach the man but were unable to pull him free.

They said the man showed no signs of life and did not respond to them.

Police spent most of the night at the scene and said they were still looking into the accident.

"We're still investigating, but police have established a crime scene and we're now trying to determine exactly how he died up there," a police spokesman said.

He said firefighters and police rescue officers worked together to try to get the man down.

It is unknown if the man was a professional tree lopper or an amateur who had attempted to cut branches from the tree, but he was using climbing gear and a safety harness.

Residents of the Maryland street were shocked by the incident.

"It's crazy, he's just hanging there, it's awful," one man said.

Police had not formally named the man last night.

A report was expected to be prepared for the coroner after further investigation.