Huntingdon Tree Surgeons (PE29) Cambridgeshire: Trees are an important feature of many properties and gardens in Huntingdon, and they can frequently transform a largely 2 dimensional area by adding style, substance and structure. This is all well and good, however when trees are neglected, diseased, or impacted by extreme weather events like high winds or flooding, issues can arise that need to be sorted out. Seeking the expert advice of a trained tree surgeon in Huntingdon, is the safest option when there is work that needs doing on your trees.
Folks in Huntingdon who attempt to do tree work themselves, or by using a non-qualified person could risk causing damage to property, the trees and to life. But even employing a skilled tree surgeon who is acquainted with all the dangers doesn't mean that tree work is entirely safe. There are an average of 140 severe injuries and 3 deaths annually within the profession, making it among the most hazardous jobs in Britain and definitely not for amateurs to attempt.
A damaged or neglected tree can also pose a threat to life, with around five people a year being fatally wounded by falling branches and trees in the UK. If an injury occurs, or property is damaged due to you bringing in somebody to conduct tree work, you could be liable for any compensation to any third-party as a consequence of your actions. These are the reasons why it's very important to employ a professional tree surgeon to work on your trees. (All figures from HSE UK).
There are two trade bodies that a seasoned tree surgeon in Huntingdon should really be a registered member of. The websites of either the Arboricultural Association (AA) or the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) allow you to check out the professional status and membership of any tree surgeon in Huntingdon. Membership of either of these 2 associations gives the tree surgeon Approved ARB Contractor status which can be checked out on this website.
For arbitration assistance and for help and advice at any stage during or after the tree work has been carried out, you will be able to get hold of either of these professional bodies.
If a tree surgeon who is not on this directory offers to give you a quotation, it is recommended that you carry on with your search for an approved and qualified contractor, and tactfully decline their offer. When their professional accreditations and associations have been carefully checked, you should try and get a minimum of three quotes from different companies in the Huntingdon area. You should ask the following questions whilst getting the quotations, making it abundantly clear that you need to know the answers because of the risks involved in the work:
- Do you have documentary verification of your qualifications, professional membership and a NPTC certificate for the use of a chainsaw? The NPTC/LANTRA certificate is required by law for any tree surgeon/operative who uses a chainsaw. A trained Huntingdon tree surgeon will probably hold National Diplomas and Certificates in Arboriculture.
- Can you provide me with a quotation in writing? You should NEVER accept a verbal quote only. Only ever accept a written quote.
- Can I inspect the quality of your tree work by contacting a person you've worked for recently? It is always a good idea to do an independent examination of recently completed work.
- What is your level of insurance cover? As stated by the ISA and AA, your tree surgeon ought to be able to produce an insurance certificate covering a minimum of five million pounds public liability.
The written quotation that you're provided with should include easy to understand information on the proposed tree work. It should indicate who's responsible for the removal of tree branches, stumps and waste, and should also include details of any trees which might be protected in law, and the steps needed to get permission to carry out work on them. You should also make certain VAT is included on the quote. It is crucial that only competent people are hired to work on your trees and property, and this is wholly down to you. This is stated under the "Common law duty of care responsibilities and sometimes liabilities under the Occupier's Liability Acts of 1957 and 1984."
PRIOR TO WORK COMMENCING - Your preferred Huntingdon tree surgeon will need to make enquiries into the possibility of any trees being protected in your area and make the appropriate steps to make sure that any tree work can get the go-ahead from the local authority. Finding a tree has got protected status doesn't mean that work cannot be carried out, because even protected trees need maintenance so as to cut back old or damaged wood and ensure public safety.
If your property in Huntingdon happens to be within a designated conservation area, the Local Planning Authority (LPA) will need at least six weeks written notice of any planned tree work. This is only required for trees with a stem diameter of more than 7.5cm in diameter, at a point 1.5 metres above ground level. If the branches of a protected tree need pruning or thinning to encourage and sustain growth, it is also not necessary to provide notice.
After doing a full assessment of your trees health, your Huntingdon tree surgeon will decide on the required remedial treatment and how best to achieve the required outcome in a safe manner. Where there's any chance of falling branches and debris, a full risk assessment will need to be carried out on your property, public spaces, and parts of a neighbour's property that might be impacted. The level of protection required and the amount of workforce needed, will also be ascertained at this point. This will include various safety measures along with personal protection equipment to guarantee the safety of the general public and adjacent property.
ON THE DAY OF WORK - Cones, barriers and safety measures will be put in place before any cutting of branches, climbing or tree felling commences, to keep unauthorised persons away from the area of work. Where there is a chance of debris and branches falling onto a public road, it might be necessary to briefly stop the traffic.
Subject to the kind of work required a tree surgeon will need different degrees of protection. When doing basic work with a chainsaw, to avoid cutting injuries to the hands, torso and legs, they will at a bare minimum be wearing special protective clothing. Every operative involved in the work, must at all times be wearing high-vis clothing, and head and eye protection.
If any working at height is involved, climbing equipment and ladders will have to be used, and extra operatives will be there to assist in the safe removal of high branches and large sections of tree trunk. For transporting waste materials away from the area, a skip or truck will be stationed as close to the work area as possible. This need for unhindered access is a good reason to inform your neighbours of the work you are planning to do.
AFTER COMPLETION OF WORK - Upon completion of all the tree work, the whole area can be cleared of all debris, and all the waste can be transported away. Your tree surgeon will then sign off and give you a certificate of work done, especially in the case of any protected trees. If any safety measures were put in public spaces they can now be taken down, with highways and footpaths being re-opened to the public.
Problems or issues should be fixed straight away by approaching the tree surgeon directly. If there is any further dispute, and your tree surgeon is an approved member of a professional association, you can get help and guidance from the Arboricultural Association or the International Society of Arboriculture so as to come to an acceptable solution.
Ash Dieback
Expected to devastate close to 80 percent of the current British ash tree population, over the next few years, ash dieback (Hymenoscyphus fraxineus) is a fatal fungal disease of ash trees, the first case of which was documented in Britain in 2012. Having an equally calamitous impact on the beautiful British countryside as Dutch Elm Disease, ash dieback is just another setback for the UK's tree stocks.
The Fraxinus genus of trees is affected by this fatal disease, but it has an especially devastating effect on Fraxinus excelsior (the common or European ash), which is the most widespread species in the UK. Originating in Asia, the fungus which causes the disease is called Hymenoscyphus fraxineus.
Dispersed by wind blown spores which are produced by the fruiting bodies of the fungus, and are able to travel for tens of miles, ash dieback has now spread to most parts of Britain.
Ash dieback kills trees of any age and has symptoms such as:
- Dark brown lesions (often diamond shaped) form where limbs join the trunk, and the inner bark under the lesions looks brownish grey.
- Leaves and new shoots which are visibly dying during the summer.
- New epicormic growth appears from previously dormant buds (common in trees under stress).
- Dark patches on leaves during mid to late summer.
- Leaves that wilt, turn black and fall prematurely.
Stronger ash can fight off the infection to some degree, but sooner or later succumb to repeated attacks. There's presently no effective treatment for chalara ash dieback, and no clear strategy for stopping it spreading.
If you think you have spotted a tree infected with ash dieback on your property in Huntingdon, or in the local community, you can report it to the "Tree Alert Service" provided by the Forestry Commission, although ash dieback is so common throughout the British Isles that they are only really interested in cases discovered in areas not affected previously. You should however speak to a local tree surgeon, who will offer advice and guidance on how best to proceed.
Trees affected - the genus Fraxinus.
(Tags: Spotting Ash Dieback, Ash Dieback Huntingdon, Signs of Ash Dieback).Logs/Firewood Huntingdon
Of course, you might be looking for a tree surgeon for an entirely different reason, as they can be a great source for logs and firewood in Huntingdon. As tree surgeons spend most of their time chopping down branches and trees, I suppose this is not at all surprising.
Recently felled logs and branches are often available "free to collector" from certain Huntingdon tree surgeons, who are just glad to get shot of them. Other local tree surgeons, with enough space to store them, will dry out and season the logs and sell them off by the lorry load or bagged, and will often even deliver them to your home.
Chucking "wet" logs on your open fire or wood burner isn't a great idea, and will create a lot of smoke and clog up your flue. Only use logs which have been left to dry for a minimum of 12 months and have a moisture content of 20 percent or lower. The advantage of getting logs from tree surgeons, is that these are likely to be mostly assorted hardwood logs, that will provide heat for several hours, and give a long, sustained burn. Softwood logs are fantastic for getting a fire started, therefore if you can get your hands on some of these as well, that would be helpful. (Tags: Firewood Huntingdon, Logs and Firewood Huntingdon, Softwood Logs Huntingdon, Firewood Logs Huntingdon).
Crown Thinning Huntingdon
If you would like to permit more light throughout, to lessen the overall weight of the crown of the tree, to lessen the tree's wind resistance, to cut down the stress put on larger branches because of wind, gravity, snow, or ice or to prevent the tree uprooting in blustery weather conditions, a number of of the little live branches that grow on the outer crown of a broad leafed tree are cut in a process that is called crown thinning. The overall shape and size aren't changed by this process, and the likelihood is it will need to be carried out on a fairly regular schedule, as more shoots sprout. Crown thinning is not supposed to alter the general shape and size of the tree, but should produce a uniform foliage density surrounding equally spaced branches. It should be possible to obtain crown thinning in Great Stukeley, Little Stukeley, Alconbury Weston, Green End, Sapley, Alconbury, Stukeley Meadows, Wyton, Houghton, Hemingford Abbots, Ellington, Offord Cluny, and Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire.. (Tags: Tree Crown Thinning Huntingdon, Crown Thin Huntingdon, Crown Thinning Huntingdon)
Stump Grinding
If you have a requirement for specialist services like stump grinding in Huntingdon, making sure you use a company with the appropriate knowhow and gear is critical. Any decent tree surgeon in Huntingdon will understand the significance of taking out every remnant of the stump to at least a 30cm depth, so that it will not grow back. Grinding down roots and stumps quite close to walls and structures while avoiding damage, can only be accomplished if your chosen tree surgeon has got access to the appropriate machinery. This purpose built grinding apparatus is so multifaceted that it can even be used to remove stumps that are tucked away in passageways, alleys and other generally inaccessible spots. When you're doing away with a large tree the stump left over can be quite substantial and no matter what you are likely to use the space for, there's a pretty good chance that the remaining stump needs to be removed a good foot below ground level.
Chainsaws in Tree Surgery
The most common tool that experienced tree surgeons in Huntingdon use is the chainsaw. It is an effective and versatile tool, but can be pretty dangerous in the wrong hands. The preferred style of chainsaw with tree care professionals is the petrol driven version, being easy to handle and more portable, although you are able to purchase rechargeable battery chainsaws and mains operated models. Petrol driven chainsaws are really the only option for heavy tree work, being very powerful, robust and able to cut through limbs and branches of any dimensions.
Consisting of a revolving chain armed with a set of sharp teeth that cut through the bark and wood, a chainsaw is actually a relatively simple piece of equipment. There are also a variety of types of chainsaw, rear-handled for work at ground level (must always be used with two hands), pole saws for long distance pruning and hard to reach branches and top-handled for working at height (and which can be operated with one hand).
You will almost never find a professional Huntingdon tree surgeon who doesn't use a chainsaw, despite the fact that climbing a tree with a spinning blade in your hand is not isn't the safest thing to be doing. In order to become a member of the Arboricultural Association (AA), being fully trained in the safe use and maintenance of chainsaws is one of the main conditions.
For anybody interested in purchasing a chainsaw in the United Kingdom, there are many brands available, however the most preferred by professionals are Makita, Stihl, Husqvarna and Hyundai.
Tree Removal Huntingdon
Tree removal can become necessary if a tree is diseased, unstable, or too large for the space it occupies. While trees are vital to our environment, there are moments when they pose dangers to nearby structures or individuals. Overgrown branches, invasive roots, or the possibility of a tree falling can make removing it the best solution. It's not a decision to be taken lightly, but when required, it can increase the safety and practicality of your outdoor space in Huntingdon, giving you greater peace of mind.
Removing a tree isn't as simple as it looks, especially with larger trees. It requires careful planning and the right equipment to make sure it's done safely and efficiently. Professional tree surgeons have the expertise to assess the tree and figure out the best way to remove it with minimal impact on the surrounding area. They'll also take care of disposing of the tree, saving you the hassle. Trying to remove a tree yourself can be risky, so hiring an expert is always the best choice for complex or large-scale jobs.
After a tree has been taken out, it really opens up a whole new world of possibilities for your outdoor space. The increased light can be great for the plants nearby, and the newly available area can be transformed into something different, such as a patio, driveway, or even a lovely garden feature. Whether you're looking to enhance safety or simply improve the layout of your garden, thoughtful tree removal can truly change your Huntingdon garden or outdoor area, making it a more enjoyable place for years ahead. (Tags: Tree Removal Huntingdon).
Tree Surgery Injuries
As I have already mentioned, the work that tree care professionals in Huntingdon carry out, involves a significant level of danger. When work is being undertaken on trees, there is a considerable risk of injuries to both operatives, co-workers and passers-by, so all possible precautions should be implemented.
As reported by figures gathered by the HSE (Health and Safety Executive), falls from trees, the use of chainsaws, and being hit by a falling branch or tree are responsible for the majority of major and fatal injuries. The reality is that people that are involved in tree care work are more at risk of injuring themselves seriously than those who are working in the construction industry.
In relation to insurance claims the most frequent tree care accidents involve lifting injuries, falling from ladders and being struck by objects (branches, trees, grapple hooks, ropes, cranes etc).
All this underlines the need for hiring a seasoned Huntingdon tree surgeon to do any work on your trees. The majority of accidents in the tree care industry are attributable to unskilled workers trying to carry out tasks that they are not fully trained in. So, always use an established and reputable company that's been trading in the Huntingdon area for a number of years, to avoid this kind of issue.
Dead-Wooding Huntingdon
All experienced Huntingdon tree surgeons will undertake the practice of dead-wooding, which is a necessary element of tree management and care. Where there could be a threat to vehicles, buildings or passers-by, dead-wooding is conducted to remove the dead and rotting branches that are at risk of falling. The branches of a tree can die due to a number of different reasons, the most typical being disease, a lack of light, attack by pests or root damage.
Whilst the usual motive for the removal of dead branches is that of safety, it's also often done for the overall benefit of the tree, and for aesthetic reasons. Too many dying, damaged and dead branches can encourage insect infestation and the spread of disease, so eliminating these impaired branches can dramatically improve the health of a tree. Trees that have lots of dead wood also look unattractive, therefore to make it more attractive, this can all be cut off.
In most instances only substantial dead branches will be removed, because smaller ones present little risk. On the other hand, where trees are hanging over a road, a public space, a park, a garden or a dwelling in Huntingdon, it may be essential to remove any dead branches that are over 50mm in diameter.
Air-Spading Huntingdon
When you're worried about the health of a tree, it may be down to various issues, but problems with a tree's root system is a commonplace trigger for such worries. A certified tree surgeon in Huntingdon may need to gain access to a tree's roots to check for root rot, soil compaction, or other problems.
In the past this was fairly problematic, because of the potential for damaging the roots during the process of digging down. Some up-to-date and "savvy" tree surgeons in Huntingdon use a technique called "air spading", which uses compressed air to successfully break down and clear away compressed soil without the risk of damage to the tree's roots, or any buried utility lines that happen to be nearby.
When the soil surrounding a tree gets compacted by construction work, passing vehicles or heavy foot traffic, the health of the tree can be affected. When a tree is "stressed" it can become more prone to attack by pests, insects and diseases, and this stress can be caused by a lack of nutrients and water. Air spading is also useful to resolve root flare problems, when the flare around the base of the stem becomes covered with an excess of soil, causing the tissue to break down, and increasing the likelihood of root rot.
Blowing air into the soil at a speed of 1200mph, the air-spading process necessitates the use of an air compressor and an air-spade tool which forces air into spaces in the soil, causing it to break down instantly, but not affecting the tree roots or nearby utilities. The bulk of the soil is blown away from the roots by the highly powerful flow of air, meaning immediate inspection and investigation can take place. A less dense layer of chip mulch and fertiliser can then be applied to encourage the tree to revive, and a solution implemented for any issues.
Tree Surgery Tasks Huntingdon
Huntingdon tree surgeons can generally help you with hedge cutting, tree maintenance in Huntingdon, damaged tree cutting and removal, crown thinning Huntingdon, shrub maintenance Huntingdon, staking Huntingdon, tree lightening protection, pest management, cabling, tree topping in Huntingdon, tree management in Huntingdon, crown cleaning, removal of storm damaged trees, stump treatment, tree watering, tree cutting, root grinding, formative pruning, crown removal Huntingdon, waste removal in Huntingdon, stump removal, damage restoration, root flare exposure, tree care services in Huntingdon, tree fertilising, hedge reduction, tree removal, root pruning, tree waste removal, dead wood removal, tree surveys, tree felling, shielding trees from grazing animals, drop crotching, stump grinding and other tree surgeon services in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire. Listed are just some of the duties that are carried out by tree surgeons. Huntingdon professionals will inform you of their entire range of services.
Tree Surgeons Near Huntingdon
Also find: Alconbury tree surgeons, Offord Cluny tree surgeons, Hemingford Abbots tree surgeons, Wyton tree surgeons, Alconbury Weston tree surgeons, Stukeley Meadows tree surgeons, Green End tree surgeons, Great Stukeley tree surgeons, Brampton tree surgeons, Hemingford Grey tree surgeons, Sapley tree surgeons, Hartford tree surgeons, Buckden tree surgeons, Houghton tree surgeons, Little Stukeley tree surgeons, Godmanchester tree surgeons, Ellington tree surgeons and more. All of these locations are covered by tree surgeons. Local home and property owners and others can get quotations by going here.
(Sourced from tree surgeons Huntingdon text version four.)
More: Soil Terraventing, Shrub Maintenance, Crown Lifting, Forestry Management, Air-Spading, Shrub Maintenance, Tree Removal, Tree Transplanting, Soil Terravention, Crown Removal, Tree Removal, Soil Terraventing, Crown Raising, Crown Removal, Stump Grinding, Tree Management, Tree Pollarding, Root Grinding, Root Grinding, Crown Thinning, Tree Cutting, Tree Cutting, Woodland Clearance, Stump Treatment, Tree Planting, Crown Thinning, Air-Spading, Tree Felling, Tree Cutting, Tree Felling.
Tree Reshaping Huntingdon - Vegetation Control Huntingdon Cambridgeshire - Forest Management Huntingdon - Stump Removal Huntingdon - Tree Surgeon Huntingdon - Tree Management Huntingdon - Arboriculture Huntingdon - Crown Reduction Huntingdon - Tree Care Huntingdon
