Lowestoft Tree Surgeons (NR32): Trees are wonderful things to have and enjoy in our gardens - they produce vital oxygen for our environment, they offer welcome shade on hot, sunny days and they provide a much needed home for birds and wildlife. But, to balance out the positive things about trees, there are also drawbacks. Trees can become diseased and unhealthy. Trees can easily get damaged by storms and wind. Trees can become far too large for our gardens in Lowestoft. The person to call when you have problems with your trees in Lowestoft, is a tree surgeon.
Tree surgeons in Lowestoft play a crucial role in the maintenance and general care of trees for a whole host of both commercial and domestic clients. There are many examples of services a professional tree surgeon in Lowestoft will be able to provide: inspections and hazard assessments, felling, the pruning of invasive, dead or weakened branches, the safe planting of trees, and general tree maintenance.
However, a tree surgeon's work doesn't stop with trees alone. Such tasks as hedge maintenance, pruning and care and stump removal, are amongst the other responsibilities of a tree surgeon in Lowestoft. The best tradesperson to hire if you've got any reservations about the structural integrity of a tree is a tree surgeon, as they'll be in a position to assess your tree, prepare a report on likely hazards, and give you guidance on ways to proceed.
Since it is such a decidedly hazardous task, tree surgery is unquestionably something that must only be handled by a professionally trained person. While the temptation might be to take the DIY approach and bypass the costs, it probably would not be the wisest decision you have ever made. To carry out the work they are required to do, tree surgeons must be qualified, experienced and physically fit.
Tree surgery will very often involve the use of dangerous chainsaws and power tools while elevated in the air and hanging from a harness in a tree. This is most certainly not an activity for a beginner! Tree surgery is also usually carried out by a team of experienced tree surgeons, including climbers and a ground team, who are all specialists in their field. Competing with this level of experience, risk assessment and competence to execute the work, would be virtually impossible for any unqualified individual.
Obtaining a decent tree surgeon in Lowestoft will be the initial step when you have decided that you actually need one. But, how? Well, you will want to check out a couple of things, like experience, qualifications and cost. Next we'll go over a few of the things to look for when selecting a tree surgeon in Lowestoft.
Firstly, you'll want to check they've got the required certifications to reassure you they are properly trained and competent. The governing body that issues qualifications to tree surgeons is the National Proficiency Tests Council. The following qualifications should be the minimum held by any tree surgeon in Lowestoft:
- NPTC 203 (CS31) - Fell & process trees up to 380mm (15").
- NPTC 308 (CS39) - Use of chainsaw from a rope and harness.
- NPTC 206/306 (CS38) - Tree climbing & aerial tree rescue.
- NPTC 201/202 (CS30) - Basic crosscutting and chainsaw maintenance.
Since holding these qualifications demonstrates that they have accomplished the appropriate training, it is worthwhile finding a tree surgeon who has them, although surprisingly this is not in fact a legal obligation. Holding such certifications should give you the peace of mind that the task will be completed in a successful and safe manner. Because of the risks of falling from height and catastrophic bleeding, tree surgeons, forestry workers and arborists should also carry a First Aid kit and have some basic First Aid qualifications.
Next, check the exact breakdown of costs and ask two or three tree surgeons in Lowestoft to get different price quotes for the work. You might notice that the removal of the significant amount of waste normally created by tree surgery will sometimes not be included in the costs quoted. The process of removing this waste can involve enormous cost and inconvenience to the client, therefore if it is possible to have the tree surgeons remove and dispose of this waste themselves, it would certainly be the best solution.
Also, be ready to ask potential tree surgeons loads of key questions when you come face to face with them. As an example, you need to know who will be coming onto your property and doing the actual work. Is it going to involve a gang of workers or just one individual on their own? Would you be able to meet up with them in advance? What tree removal or surgery methods will be used on your tree? Is there going to be any impact of my home or next door neighbours? Exactly how long will the job take?
The more questions you ask, the less likely it is that you will get any nasty surprises as work progresses.
Last of all, pay attention to the manner in which tree surgeon speaks. This can be useful for evaluating their levels of professionalism and expertise before any actual work begins. Even if you know nothing at all about tree surgery yourself, you can often tell when someone knows what they are talking about, and the kind of terminology that should put you on alert is 'topping and lopping', which is a somewhat outdated expression, more often associated with rogue traders and cowboys. The appropriate terminology should be used by a professional, experienced and skilled tree surgeon in Lowestoft, who will discuss processes like 'crown thinning', 'pollarding', 'pruning', 'crown lifting' and 'crown reduction'. Whilst merely using the correct phrases is not invariably proof of a person's ability, it can give useful clues about your tree surgeon's level of expertise.
In summary, when you have tree care or tree surgery needs in Lowestoft, it's always worthwhile to consult a variety of different tree surgeons. This will help you in finding the best individual for the task, and one who will make certain all your needs are fully catered to in a pre-agreed timescale, with safe practices as a top priority.
Tree surgery is available in Lowestoft and also in: Normanston, Kirkley, Oulton Broad, Hopton, St Olaves, Corton, Pakefield, Mutford, Somerleyton, Camps Heath, Lound, Kessingland, Blundeston, Lowestoft End, Felixstowe, Carlton Colville, Gisleham, and in these postcodes NR32 1BS, NR32 1QX, NR32 1DH, NR32 1AA, NR32 1RR, NR32 1BJ, NR32 1QE, NR32 1HW, NR32 1PQ, and NR32 1HX. Locally based Lowestoft tree surgeons will likely have the postcode NR32 and the dialling code 01502.
If you need this sort of assistance it's certainly best to employ an accredited local tree surgeon. Lowestoft home and property owners can benefit from the knowledge and skills offered by a fully trained professional.
Accidents Through Tree Surgery
As has been mentioned previously in this article, the work that is tackled by tree care professionals in Lowestoft can be highly hazardous. With a high risk of injuries to both operatives, co-workers and passers-by, all reasonable safety measures must be implemented when working on trees.
As reported by the HSE (Health & Safety Executive), the vast majority of fatal and major injuries are linked to the use of chainsaws, falls from trees, and being struck by a falling branch or tree. Surprisingly, people involved in tree care work are more at risk of sustaining a serious injury than those working in the construction industry.
With regards to insurance claims the most common tree care accidents involve lifting injuries, being struck by objects (trees, cranes, ropes, grapple hooks, branches etc) and slipping from ladders.
All this emphasises the importance of employing a certified Lowestoft tree surgeon when work needs doing on your trees. In the tree care sector, a lot of accidents can be attributed to inexperienced workers attempting tasks that they're not fully trained in, or capable of. Consequently, using a reputable and experienced Lowestoft company that has been trading in the area for a number of years, is the most effective way to avoid such issues.
The Day to Day Duties of a Tree Surgeon
- Maintain and service equipment like chainsaws and wood chippers.
- Produce tree survey reports for both domestic and commercial customers.
- Climb trees to remove or prune branches.
- Be proficient with power tools and other powered machinery.
- Identify dangers presented by trees.
- Deal with clients and complete administrative duties.
- Fell and remove trees and perform stump grinding.
- Plant trees and vegetation.
- Cut and chip logs and branches.
- Tidy area on completion and remove waste products from customer's site.
- Assess the health of trees and create plans of action.
- Create telephone or on-site price quotes with the clients.
Pollarding Lowestoft
The technique whereby a tree's size is significantly decreased because it has grown too big for its current environment, is referred to as "pollarding". The development of cultivated attributes and the altering of trees into certain forms or shapes can also be accomplished by the pollarding technique. Trees which grow beside highways in Lowestoft are frequently pollarded, as are those used for borders and in hedgerows. The somewhat bare and harsh appearance that is the outcome of pollarding isn't at all popular with those who adore trees, since it's so different from its natural state. Tree species like horse chestnuts, planes, oaks, sycamores, beeches, maples and limes are typical candidates for pollarding, and the beneficial side of this process is that trees which would normally need to be cut down can be retained for the enjoyment of everybody.
Eco-Plugging Tree Stumps Lowestoft
If you wish to remove a substantial tree stump from your property in Lowestoft, the customary procedure used by most tree surgeons is stump grinding, which requires heavy specialist equipment. However, "eco-plugging" has become increasingly more popular as a simpler and more affordable alternative to this method. This technique isn't just helpful because it's cheaper, but also because it can be employed in awkward locations where there could be stump grinding accessibility issues.
An effective treatment for killing off tree stumps, eco-plugging doesn't affect any nearby trees and vegetation. Eco-plugs eliminate the tree stump by destroying the entire root system, and can be employed in all weather, and during any season of the year. Containing a type of granular glyphosate herbicide, eco-plugs are 95-100% effective, and is suitable for a wide array of trees. (Tags: Eco-Plugs Lowestoft, Eco-Plugging Lowestoft, Eco-Plug Treatments Lowestoft, Eco-Plugging Tree Stumps Lowestoft).
Deadwooding Lowestoft
Dead-wooding (or deadwooding) is an essential part of tree management and care, and all competent Lowestoft tree surgeons will carry out this procedure where necessary. Dead-wooding calls for the careful removal of dead and rotting branches which could pose a threat to vehicles, property or passers-by. Tree branches can die for a number of different reasons, with pest attacks, light deficiency, root damage or disease, recognised as the most common.
While the objective of safety is the most frequent reason for dead-wooding, the procedure can also be conducted for aesthetic reasons and for the benefit of the tree. It is possible to radically improve the health of a tree by eliminating dead, dying and damaged branches, an excess of which will attract infestation by insects and the spread of disease. Trees with lots of dead wood also look unsightly, so to improve its appearance, this can all be removed.
Only substantial dead branches will generally be cut out, because in most situations the small ones are not going to present too much of a risk. Then again, where trees are overhanging a public space, a road, a park, a dwelling or a garden in Lowestoft, it might be essential to remove any dead branches that are in excess of 50mm in diameter. (Tags: Deadwooding Trees Lowestoft, Deadwooding Lowestoft, Dead-Wooding Lowestoft, Deadwooding Services Lowestoft).
Protecting Shrubs and Trees in Winter
Although you might not think that the weather conditions in the UK are severe enough to justify protecting your trees and shrubs, it may be a good idea to take a second look at this. Even the shrubs, plants and trees that we usually consider to be hardy, can find the winter season a tough time to endure, particularly during the colder winter months, and they will invariably benefit from a bit of extra protection and TLC.
Storms and high winds can be the biggest problem where trees are concerned, and despite the fact that come winter most of your trees will have already shed their leaves, they could still be at risk in severe conditions. If you're concerned about a tree's condition, or it seems like it may fall to the ground, you should get in touch with a local tree surgeon to check it out and carry out a risk assessment. You can also have issues with breaking branches due to heavy snowfall, so when weather like this is anticipated, keep your eyes open for potential damage. Protection from ice and frost might be required for some trees and shrubs (particularly recently planted ones), and a thick layer of mulch around their bases can help to stop their roots from freezing, and allow them to continue absorbing moisture.
Logs/Firewood Lowestoft
Tree surgeons are usually a great source for firewood and logs in Lowestoft, if you are in the market for this useful commodity. Since tree surgeons spend the majority of their time chopping down trees and branches, I guess this is no great surprise.
If you're lucky, you might find a tree surgeon in the Lowestoft area who gives logs and branches away free to collectors, these will frequently be "green" and in need of drying out. Others will sell off their logs by the tonne or in bags, and these will generally be fully dried and seasoned logs, that are ready for burning.
Putting "wet" logs on your wood burner or open fire is not a good idea, and will produce a lot of smoke and clog up your flue. Only use logs that have been left to dry for a minimum of twelve months and have a moisture level of 20% or lower. Tree surgeons in Lowestoft will typically have supplies of hardwood logs and these are brilliant for a long, sustained burn that will throw out heat for three or four hours. Softwood logs are superb for starting a fire, so if you can get hold of some of these as well, that would be helpful.
Ash Dieback (Hymenoscyphus Fraxineus)
A harmful fungal disease which is likely to wipe out close to 80% of the current UK ash trees, over the next few years, ash dieback was first recorded in the United Kingdom in 2012, when a nursery brought in a number of trees from Holland. Having a similarly calamitous impact on the beautiful British countryside as Dutch Elm Disease (DED), ash dieback is just another huge setback for the United Kingdom's tree stocks.
Ash dieback has a particularly devastating effect on the native British common ash (Fraxinus excelsior), although it actually affects the whole Fraxinus genus of trees, with varying levels of tolerance. Originating in eastern Asia, the fungus which causes the disease is called Hymenoscyphus fraxineus.
Already present in most regions of the UK, ash dieback is dispersed by wind blown spores produced by the fruiting bodies of the fungus, and can travel for many miles.
The recognisable symptoms of ash dieback are:
- Leaves with dark patches that develop during mid to late summer.
- The formation of diamond shaped lesions where limbs connect to trunk.
- New epicormic growth appears from previously dormant buds (common in trees under stress).
- Wilting leaves that turn black in colour and drop prematurely.
- New shoots and leaves which are visibly dying during the growing season.
Ash trees are able to fight the infection to a certain degree, but eventually die from sustained attacks. Presently there's no obvious method for stopping the spread of aash dieback, and there's no cure.
Although instances of ash dieback can be reported to the Forestry Commission's "Tree Alert Service", it is so prevalent right through the United Kingdom that they are really only interested in hearing about cases which are found in areas not previously affected. If you think that you have a tree suffering from ash dieback in your garden in Lowestoft, you should contact a local tree surgeon, who'll offer advice and guidance about how best to proceed - ultimately the tree will have to be felled and removed.
Trees of the genus Fraxinus are affected.
(Tags: Signs of Ash Dieback, Spotting Ash Dieback, Ash Dieback Lowestoft).Tree Transplanting Lowestoft
Moving trees and transplanting them to other locations has become a relatively simple process with the development of vehicle mounted tree spades and other nifty tree removal equipment. Mature trees can be transplanted onto new ground to accomplish an instantly landscaped appearance, or out-of-control woody areas can be thinned out without the need to resort to tree felling.
If you have no choice but to move a tree in Lowestoft in the warmer summer seasons of summer and spring, you should reduce the stress of the process on the tree's roots by thoroughly soaking the soil with water before any work begins. Moving a mature tree will involve a mechanical spade digging down and encompassing the root-ball, before lifting the entire tree, unscathed, from the soil. The tree can then be replanted or stored temporarily before its transplanting in its new home.
If you intend to move a tree from land that's got a preservation order on it, a professional tree moving business in Lowestoft can liaise with appropriate agencies to approve replanting in an agreed area. You'll be able to get tree transplanting services in Corton, Kirkley, Camps Heath, Felixstowe, Hopton, St Olaves, Mutford, Oulton Broad, Somerleyton, Lound, Pakefield, Lowestoft End, Blundeston, Normanston, Gisleham, Carlton Colville, and in Lowestoft.
Stump Grinding
It is vital to ensure that you hire the services of a company with the proper knowhow and machinery, when you need to have specialist services such as stump grinding done in Lowestoft. Qualified tree surgeons should always grind down all of the tree stump to well below the surface. Grinding down roots and stumps quite close to walls and structures while avoiding damage, can only be done if your tree surgeon has the use of the right machinery. Even any stumps that are found in alleys and passageways, can be extracted using the proper machinery. If you're clearing away a big tree the stump left over will be really substantial and depending on what you're planning to use the space for, there's a pretty good chance that the leftover stump needs to be taken out a good foot below surface level. (Tags: Stump Grinding Lowestoft, Stump Removal Lowestoft, Tree Stump Removal Lowestoft)
Tree Surgery - Safety Considerations
The health and safety aspect is one of the main concerns when you are doing tree surgery, because if done improperly it can definitely be an extremely dangerous enterprise. If the people doing the project are inexperienced or untrained, there are plenty of things that can easily lead to disaster such as falling timber and branches, not wearing eyesight or hearing protection, little or no protection from falling, in the shape of ropes, platforms and harnesses, failing to use cut-proof (chainsaw-proof) apparel (especially boots and leggings), not cordoning off the work area to protect the public and vehicles and a lack of head protection. What could be in jeopardy due to these inadequacies are nearby properties, workers at ground level, passers by, parked and passing vehicles, the tree itself, the property owners, fencing and garden features, the street facilities, the tree surgeon (person climbing the tree).
Emergency Tree Work Lowestoft
Although emergencies are rare with regards to trees in your garden, accidents do happen, so it may be wise to have an emergency phone number where you can reach a tree surgeon in Lowestoft. When the conditions in Lowestoft are windy and stormy, tree surgeons expect to see a huge increase in emergency calls, and thankfully many of them offer a 24/7 service for this very reason. The likelihood of damage or injury is higher when the weather is stormy, with branches snapping off and plummeting to the ground, and occasionally even entire trees collapsing. When branches and tree limbs start falling squashed sheds, damaged fences, cracked greenhouses and broken garden furniture are a common result, therefore avoidance is better than having to deal with the consequences.
Emergency tree care services will also frequently be essential to the local authorities in the Lowestoft area, because substantial branches sometimes break off and crash onto railway lines, public footpaths and streets, calling for rapid attention.
Even when the emergency tree surgery has been done, a tree that's lost a lot of limbs may need to be "re-balanced", and this could be performed for aesthetic reasons or because the tree now looks lopsided, with more weight on one side than the other, quite possibly resulting in additional concerns. To handle all of these various issues, you should contact a local Lowestoft tree surgeon who offers emergency services. You should also be able to obtain emergency tree surgery in Corton, Kirkley, Camps Heath, Felixstowe, Hopton, St Olaves, Mutford, Oulton Broad, Somerleyton, Lound, Pakefield, Lowestoft End, Blundeston, Normanston, Gisleham, Carlton Colville, and Lowestoft, Suffolk. (Tags: Emergency Tree Surgery Lowestoft, Tree Care Emergencies Lowestoft, Emergency Tree Services Lowestoft, Emergency Call-Outs Lowestoft).
Tree Surgery Tasks Lowestoft
Lowestoft tree surgeons can generally help you with tree dismantling, tree shaping, tree fertilising Lowestoft, safety inspections, vegetation management in Lowestoft, tree lopping, waste removal, tree lightening protection, forestry management in Lowestoft, professional tree care Lowestoft, tree planning, tree transplanting, site clearance, coppicing, dead wood removal in Lowestoft, eco plug treatments in Lowestoft, tree pruning in Lowestoft, crown lifting, woodland clearance, crown reduction Lowestoft, tree reduction, brush cutting services, hedge reduction, soil terraventing, tree pest management, the protection of trees from grazing animals, arboriculture, tree work, tree topping, tree maintenance, cut sealing, stump grinding Lowestoft, tree cutting in Lowestoft, landscaping Lowestoft, removal of storm damaged trees and other tree surgeon services in Lowestoft, Suffolk. Listed are just a few of the activities that are undertaken by tree surgeons. Lowestoft companies will be happy to tell you about their entire range of services.
Tree Surgeons Near Lowestoft
Also find: Lowestoft End tree surgeons, Mutford tree surgeons, Felixstowe tree surgeons, Somerleyton tree surgeons, Oulton Broad tree surgeons, Lound tree surgeons, Hopton tree surgeons, Normanston tree surgeons, Pakefield tree surgeons, Blundeston tree surgeons, Gisleham tree surgeons, Camps Heath tree surgeons, Corton tree surgeons, Carlton Colville tree surgeons, Kessingland tree surgeons, Kirkley tree surgeons, St Olaves tree surgeons and more. Most of these places are served by certified tree surgeons. Local property owners can get quotations by clicking here.
If you need local Lowestoft information click here
More: Hedge Reduction, Crown Removal, Tree Planting, Hedge Trimming, Woodchipping, Root Grinding, Vegetation Management, Forestry Management, Wood Chipping, Root Grinding, Tree Felling, Root Grinding, Wood Chipping, Tree Maintenance, Tree Removal, Tree Watering, Woodchipping, Root Removal, Shrub Maintenance, Root Decompaction, Root Grinding, Hedge Reduction, Woodland Clearance, Tree Pollarding, Eco-Plugging, Stump Removal, Site Clearance, Tree Replanting, Woodland Clearances, Tree Bracing.
Tree Surgery NR32 area, phone code 01502.
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Tree Care Lowestoft - Tree Surgeons Lowestoft - Tree Removal Lowestoft - Arboriculturalist Lowestoft - Tree Reshaping Lowestoft - 01502 - Crown Reduction Lowestoft - Woodland Management Lowestoft - Stump Removal Lowestoft