St Andrews Tree Surgeons (KY16): Trees are beautiful things to have in our gardens - they provide a much needed home for birds and wildlife, they produce vital oxygen for our environment and they offer pleasant shade on hot, sunny days. But there are a few drawbacks; trees can become far too huge for our gardens in St Andrews, trees can get diseased and unstable or trees can easily get damaged by wind and gales. If problems occur with your trees in St Andrews, a tree surgeon is the person to call.
Who you gonna call? A tree surgeon! - For a whole host of clients in St Andrews - both commercial and residential, tree surgeons play an important role in the maintenance and general care of trees. A trained tree surgeon in St Andrews may be able to provide the pruning of dead, weakened or intrusive branches, hazard assessments and inspections, felling, safe tree planting, and general tree care, to mention just a few examples.
However, it's not simply trees that a tree surgeon can work on. Such things as hedge maintenance and trimming, shrub care and stump removal, are amongst the other duties of a tree surgeon in St Andrews. Because they will be able to assess your tree, put together a report on possible hazards, and give advice on the best way to proceed, a tree surgeon is the tradesperson to get in touch with if you have any worries about a tree's structural integrity.
Since it's such a hugely hazardous undertaking, tree surgery is most certainly something that must only be attempted by a professionally trained person. Even though the temptation could be to take the do-it-yourself approach and bypass the costs, it would not be the brightest decision you have ever made. Tree surgeons need to be physically fit, qualified and experienced to carry out the work that they are required to do.
Whilst harnessed to a tree and elevated in the air, tree surgery will normally require the use of dangerous chainsaws and power tools. Amateurs beware - this is definitely not a task for you! Tree surgery work is also usually accomplished by a gang of experienced tree surgeons, including a ground crew and climbers, who are all specialists in the field. It is virtually impossible for any untrained individual to compete with this level of competence, experience and risk assessment to undertake the work.
Upon resolving that you need the help of a tree surgeon in St Andrews, the first step is to locate a good one that you can trust to do a fine job. But, what is the best way to accomplish this? Well, exploring things such as cost, experience and qualifications should set you on the right path. Below, we'll be considering a few of the things you should look for when hiring a tree surgeon in St Andrews.
To dispel any doubts that they are competent and properly trained, you firstly need to make sure they've got the required qualifications. The governing body issuing accreditations to tree surgeons is the National Proficiency Tests Council (NPTC). The following certificates should be a minimum requirement for any tree surgeon in St Andrews:
- NPTC 201/202 (CS30) - Chainsaw crosscut & maintenance.
- NPTC 308 (CS39) - Aerial cutting of trees using free-fall techniques.
- NPTC 206/306 (CS38) - Climb a tree and perform aerial rescue.
- NPTC 203 (CS31) - Fell & process trees up to 380mm.
Even though tree surgeons aren't legally required to have these qualifications, it's definitely worth asking for them, as they show they have the correct training to complete the task both successfully and safely. It is also essential that arborists, forestry workers and tree surgeons do some basic First Aid training, and that they carry an appropriate First Aid kit in accordance with HSE workplace guidelines.
Getting a selection of quotes will be the next step, together with checking the cost breakdown. It's best to get 2 or 3 estimates from different tree surgeons in the St Andrews area. Quite often, the estimated cost won't include the removal and disposal of the considerable amount of waste typically created by tree surgery. Removing waste can be costly and inconvenient for the customer so it's certainly better to get the tree surgeons to remove and dispose of this waste themselves if you can.
Also, you should be ready to ask potential tree surgeons lots of important questions when you meet with them. For instance, you need to establish who will be accessing your property and who is going to be doing the actual work. Is there any possibility of you meeting them in advance? Is it going to be just one person working alone, or will it be a whole gang of arborists? Precisely how long will the work take? What techniques of tree surgery or removal will be used on the tree? Will my home or next door neighbours be impacted?
You shouldn't be afraid to ask all these questions, given that the more you ask, the less likelihood that there are going to be any nasty surprises further down the line.
Lastly, listen closely to how your tree surgeon speaks. Pay particular attention to how they describe the tree surgery work they are planning to carry out, since this can give you clues about their level of experience. Even if you know hardly anything about tree surgery, you can often tell when somebody knows their stuff, and the sort of terminology that should put you on alert is 'topping and lopping', which is a rather outdated expression, more closely associated with rogue traders and cowboys. A tree surgeon in St Andrews who is experienced, capable and professional will use more suitable terminology like 'crown lifting', 'dead wooding', 'crown reduction', 'pruning' and 'thinning'. Whilst this can be a valuable clue as to the level of expertise attained by your tree surgeon, it isn't necessarily indicative of ability.
To summarise, when you have tree care or tree surgery needs in St Andrews, it's always worthwhile to consult a number of tree surgeons. If you find the right one, you can rely on having an expertly undertaken job, accounting for all possible hazards and making certain that all your requirements are fully met in a safe and timely manner.
A Tree Surgeons's Everyday Duties
- Identify hazards posed by trees.
- Evaluate the health of trees and create treatment plan.
- Fell and remove trees and grind stumps.
- Create telephone or on-site price quotes for clients.
- Tree planting and transplanting.
- Chip and cut branches and logs.
- Be proficient with power tools and machinery.
- Tidy area on completion and remove waste products from client's site.
- Work with customers and complete administrative duties.
- Service equipment like chainsaws and wood chippers.
- Prepare tree survey reports for both domestic and commercial customers.
- Climb trees to remove or prune branches as required.
Logs and Firewood St Andrews
Of course, you might be looking for a tree surgeon for an entirely different reason, because they're frequently a great source for logs and firewood in St Andrews. Given that the majority of their time is spent chopping down branches and trees, it is no great surprise that many choose to adopt this as a sideline.
Some St Andrews tree surgeons will charge you for seasoned and chopped logs which have been dried out and are ready to burn, while others might be willing to give you branches and logs cost-free, as they normally have lots of them to get rid of.
Logs having a moisture level of less than 20 percent are ideal for burning on your open fire or log burner, and these will have been left to dry out for twelve months or more. Tree surgeons in St Andrews will mostly have supplies of assorted hardwood logs and these are terrific for a long, sustained burn which will throw out heat for three or four hours. If you are also able to lay your hands on some softwood logs, these are terrific for starting a fire, and upon which you can throw your hardwood logs once your fire is blazing.
Accidents Through Tree Surgery
The work that is tackled by tree surgeons and tree care professionals in St Andrews can be quite dangerous. With there being a considerable risk of injuries to both operatives and those on the ground, all possible precautions should be implemented when carrying out work on trees.
As reported by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the majority of fatal and major injuries are associated with the use of chainsaws, falls from trees, and being hit by a falling tree or branch. In fact, the risk of serious injury is greater in tree surgery work than it is for those involved in the construction industry.
Based on insurance company records, slipping from ladders, being struck by objects (trees, cranes, grapple hooks, branches, ropes etc) and lifting injuries, are the most common accidents for which claims are filed.
That's why hiring a professional St Andrews tree surgeon is so crucial when you have tree care work that needs doing. Inexperienced workers trying to tackle tasks that they have not been trained to do, accounts for most accidents in the tree care industry. Using an established and reputable company that has been trading in the St Andrews area for several years, is the best way to sidestep such issues, and get your tree surgery work done correctly and safely.
Tree Removal St Andrews
Removing a tree can sometimes be essential, especially when it becomes dangerous, diseased, or simply too large for its spot. Trees play a crucial role in our ecosystem, yet there are moments when they might threaten nearby homes or even people's safety. Issues like overhanging branches or root damage may mean that the safest choice is to take it down. While it's certainly a decision that shouldn't be rushed, when the situation calls for it, removing the tree can really enhance the safety of your outdoor area in St Andrews, allowing you to relax a bit more.
The process of tree removal isn't as easy as it might appear, particularly when dealing with larger trees. It requires meticulous planning and the right tools to ensure it's done safely and efficiently. Professional tree surgeons have the expertise to assess the tree and decide the best way to remove it with minimal impact on the surrounding area. They'll also manage the disposal of the tree, saving you the bother. Attempting to remove a tree yourself can be hazardous, so hiring an expert is always the safest course of action for complex or large-scale jobs.
Removing a tree can certainly create exciting new opportunities for your outdoor space. With the increase in light, plants nearby may flourish better, and the newly available area could be utilised for various things, like a nice patio, a driveway, or even a decorative garden feature. Whether it's about safety or improving your garden's arrangement, removing a tree carefully can significantly transform your outdoor area in St Andrews, allowing you to enjoy it for many seasons to come. (Tags: Tree Removal St Andrews).
Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) St Andrews
Before you schedule any significant work on your trees in St Andrews, you must make sure that none of them have Tree Preservation Orders (TPO's) To check whether the trees on your property are protected by Tree Preservation Orders, contact your local planning authority. You cannot conduct wilful damage, uprooting, topping, lopping, removal, cutting down or wilful destruction, without consent in writing from the relevant local authority, if one or more of your trees is subject to a Tree Preservation Order. Speak to your tree surgeon about this if you have any concerns - they should be able to check all this out for you.
If you live within a conservation area in St Andrews, and intend to carry out any work on a tree with a diameter of seventy five millimetres or more (1.5m from ground level), you must give a minimum of 6 wks notice in writing to your local council.
Leylandii Hedge Removal St Andrews
The Leylandii hedge is a commonly chosen option for St Andrews homeowners who desire both quick growth and privacy. Yet, they have the tendency to grow excessively and become challenging to manage. If you are planning to remove a Leylandii hedge, there are several crucial factors to take into account. Before proceeding, it is crucial to check that there are no legal safeguards in place for the hedge, such as a Tree Preservation Order. In the event that the hedge is safeguarded, you will require permission from the local council before proceeding with its removal. In addition, Leylandii hedges can possess deep-rooted systems, underscoring the importance of engaging a competent tree surgeon to remove both the hedge and its roots safely. Once the hedge is removed, it's essential to dispose of the waste in a manner that is environmentally safe and responsible. In brief, removing a Leylandii hedge can be a hazardous and time-consuming undertaking, emphasizing the importance of taking necessary precautions and possibly seeking professional assistance.
Safety
Tree surgery can be a dangerous and risky process if carried out in the wrong way, therefore one of the primary considerations is the safety aspect. There are a number of factors that may go wrong if the "tradespeople" engaged in the project are inexperienced or untrained. Among the most common worries are neglecting to cordon-off the area to protect passers-by and vehicles, failure to put on cut resistant apparel (especially trousers and safety boots), not wearing hearing or eye protection, falling branches and timber, little or no protection from falling, in the form of harnesses, ropes and platforms and an absence of head protection. At risk because of this kind of incompetence are the tree surgeon (person climbing the tree), passers by, nearby structures, fences and garden features, vehicles, facilities on the street, the groundsperson, the people living in the property, the tree itself.
Stump Grinding
If you want to have some stump grinding carried out on your property, it is wise to contact a tree surgeon with the correct knowhow and machinery. Any self-respecting tree surgeon in St Andrews will appreciate the need for taking out every last piece of the tree stump down to at least a 12 inch depth, so that it doesn't start growing once more. Working with the proper equipment ensures that they can remove stubborn stumps and roots to right up against walls and structures while avoiding damage. Even any obstinate tree stumps which are located in alleys and passageways, can be extracted using the correct equipment. When you are taking out a sizable tree the remaining stump could be quite substantial and no matter what you're going to use the resulting empty space for, the likelihood is that the leftover stump will have to be removed far below the surface.
Tree Surgery Tasks St Andrews
St Andrews tree surgeons will likely help with site clearance, tree management, professional tree care, cabling in St Andrews, tree planning, crown removal, shrub maintenance St Andrews, tree surveys, tree bracing, tree waste removal St Andrews, tree reshaping, tree lightening protection, stump removal, tree removal, root decompaction, arboriculture St Andrews, hedge lowering St Andrews, crown lifting in St Andrews, soil terraventing, vegetation management, crown thinning in St Andrews, drop crotching in St Andrews, hazard assessments in St Andrews, tree pollarding, woodland management, landscaping, root grinding, eco plug treatments, forestry management in St Andrews, crown cleaning, hedge laying St Andrews, cut sealing, shielding trees from grazing animals, tree watering, crown reduction and other tree surgeon services in St Andrews, Scotland. These are just some of the duties that are carried out by tree surgeons. St Andrews providers will keep you informed about their full range of services.
Tree Surgeons Near St Andrews
Also find: Strathkiness tree surgeons, Dairsie tree surgeons, Kemback tree surgeons, Largoward tree surgeons, Dura Den tree surgeons, Ceres tree surgeons, Leuchars tree surgeons, Brownhills tree surgeons, Kincaple tree surgeons, Guardbridge tree surgeons, Balmullo tree surgeons, Blebocraigs tree surgeons, Crail tree surgeons, Kingsbarns tree surgeons and more. Most of these places are served by experienced tree surgeons. Local property owners and others can get estimates by clicking here.
(Sourced from tree surgeons St Andrews text version three.)
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