Tree Surgeons Torquay

People in Torquay who attempt to do tree work by themselves, or by using an unqualified person may well cause a risk of damage to property, the trees and to life. However, tree work is not even safe for trained tree surgeons, who are familiar with all of the dangers involved. Tree surgery is certainly not a task for amateurs, and on average there are 3 deaths and 140 serious injuries annually within the industry, making it among the most dangerous jobs in Britain.

A poorly maintained or damaged tree can also pose a risk to life, with around 5 people annually being killed by falling trees and branches in the UK. If you bring in somebody to perform tree work and subsequently an injury, or damage to property occurs, you may be liable to third-party compensation claims. This is why retaining the services of a trained Torquay tree surgeon to do the work on your trees is essential. (Source - HSE UK).

CHOOSING A TREE SURGEON IN TORQUAY - There are two professional industry bodies that a skilled Torquay tree surgeon should really be a member of. Both the ISA (International Society of Arboriculture) and the AA (Arboricultural Association) offers a website where you can check the membership and professional standing of any tree surgeon. Membership of either of these associations will give the tree surgeon recognised Approved ARB Contractor status which can be checked out on this webpage.

For assistance in arbitration and for help and advice at any stage during or after the work has been carried out, you'll be able to communicate with either of these professional bodies.

You should respectfully decline the offer of an estimate from anybody who you are unable to find on this directory list, and continue your search for an approved and fully qualified contractor. When you've reassured yourself of their accreditations and professional memberships you should try and get at least three different quotes from various companies in the Torquay area. While getting the quotations you must ask the following questions, making it crystal clear that you need them to provide the answers because of the risks involved with tree surgery work:

• Do you supply quotations in writing? You should NEVER settle for a verbal quote only. Only ever accept a written quote.
• Do you have a NPTC certificate for the use of a chainsaw, and documentary proof of your qualifications and professional memberships? It is required by law that any tree surgeon/operative who uses a chainsaw must have gained a NPTC/LANTRA certificate. A professional Torquay tree surgeon might hold City & Guilds Certificates and National Diplomas in Arboriculture.
• How much insurance cover do you provide? You should not entertain a tree surgeon in Torquay with less than five million pounds public liability insurance as stipulated by the AA and ISA.
• Would it be possible for me to contact someone you have recently worked for, so that I can inspect your tree work? It is recommended that you perform an independent check of any recent work.

The written quotation must include clear and precise specifics of the work being undertaken. Who's responsible for the removal and disposal of waste, tree branches and stumps should be stated, as should information on any trees which may be protected in law, and the necessary steps to get permission to carry out work on them. You should also ensure that VAT has been included on the quote unless you're a commercial business. It is important to recognise that you've got a responsibility to hire only qualified tradespeople to work on your trees and property.

PRIOR TO WORK BEGINNING - Finding out whether any of your trees are covered by a TPO, your chosen Torquay tree surgeon should ensure that any tree work gets the green light from the relevant local authorities. To ensure public safety, even protected trees need maintenance in order to cut back dead or dying wood, therefore finding that a tree is protected does not mean that you're unable to carry out necessary work.

If your property in Torquay is located in a conservation area then a minimum of six weeks written notice is required to the Local Planning Authority before any tree work can be performed. However, tree trunks of under 7.5cm in diameter when measured at 1.5m from the ground are exempt from this requirement. Also, it's not necessary to give written notice if a protected tree's branches need pruning or thinning simply to encourage and sustain growth.

After conducting a thorough assessment of your trees health, your Torquay tree surgeon will determine the remedial treatment needed and how best and safely to achieve the required outcome. This will involve carrying out a full risk assessment to include public spaces, your property and any sections of a neighbour's property that could be impacted by falling branches and debris. The amount of workforce needed and the level of protection required, will also be established at this point. This is both personal protection equipment and other safety precautions to keep property and the general public safe from harm or damage.

ON THE DAY OF WORK - Before any climbing, cutting of branches or tree felling begins, barriers and safety measures will be put in place to keep unauthorised persons and passers-by away from the area where work is going on. It may at some stage be necessary to stop the traffic momentarily, if there is a danger of debris and branches falling onto the highway.

Different degrees of protection will be needed by the tree surgeon according to what work needs to be executed. At the bare minimum they'll be wearing specialist protective clothing to prevent serious cutting injuries to the hands, legs and torso, when doing chainsaw work. Every worker involved in the operation, should at all times be wearing head and eye protection, and high-vis clothing.

Ladders and associated climbing equipment will be necessary if working at height is involved, and to help in the removal of high branches and pieces of tree trunk, extra personnel will be essential. A skip or other method of transporting the waste away will be parked as close to the work area as possible, therefore it is a good idea to inform your neighbours of the need for easy access.

UPON COMPLETION OF WORK - As soon as the tree work has been finished all of the waste and branches will be hauled away and the whole area cleared of all debris. Particularly where the trees are covered by TPOs, a certificate of work done should then be prepared by your tree surgeon, which will be signed off and a copy presented to you. If there were any public areas that needed safety measures, this protection will be removed and pathways and roads will be re-opened.

If you have any issues or problems with the finished work, you should first take them up with your tree surgeon so that they can be rectified straight away. If any further arbitration is needed, and your tree surgeon is a member of a professional trade association, you can receive help and advice from the Arboricultural Association or the International Society of Arboriculture so as to reach a satisfactory solution.

Pollarding Trees Torquay

Pollarding is primarily carried out on grounds of basic safety, and is a method that's used for radically limiting a tree's proportions when it's got too big for its setting. The encouragement of cultivated elements and the moulding of trees into particular shapes can also be accomplished by pollarding. Trees which grow alongside roads in Torquay are regularly pollarded, as are those which are used for boundaries and in hedgerows. Because pollarded trees have such a harsh and bare visual appearance, and will likely never go back to their "pre-pollarded" shape, the technique isn't usually popular with those who appreciate trees. The advantageous element of the pollarding process, is that trees that may otherwise have to be felled can be saved. Pollarding is frequently done on broad-leafed species like oaks, maples, horse chestnuts, limes, sycamores, planes and beeches. (Tags: Pollarding Torquay, Tree Pruning Torquay, Tree Pollarding Torquay)

Dead-Wooding Torquay

Dead-wooding (or deadwooding) is an essential element of tree care, and all professional Torquay tree surgeons will carry out this practice where necessary. Dead-wooding involves the removal of dead and dying branches which may present a threat to homes, vehicles or pedestrians. There are a number of different reasons behind why a tree's branches die off, the most common being damage to the root system, disease, heavy shading or attack by pests.

The rationale for dead-wooding is normally one of safety, however, it is also sometimes done to benefit the tree of simply to make the tree look more appealing. It is possible to radically improve the health of a tree by eliminating damaged, dead and dying branches, an excessive amount of which will attract infestation by insects and disease. You can also make a tree look more attractive through this technique, because trees with a lot of dead wood can also look rather unappealing.

As small dead branches present little risk, only substantial ones will be taken out in most cases. Nevertheless, where trees are hanging over a garden, a highway, a public area, a park or a property in Torquay, it may be essential to remove any dead limbs that are in excess of fifty millimetres in diameter. (Tags: Dead-Wooding Torquay, Deadwooding Torquay, Deadwooding Services Torquay, Dead-Wooding Trees Torquay).

Accidents Through Tree Surgery

As has been already mentioned on this page, the work that is tackled by tree surgeons and tree care professionals in Torquay can be pretty hazardous. Tree work involves a considerable risk of injury to both operatives and passers-by, therefore all possible precautions should be taken when working on trees.

According to figures gathered by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), the use of chainsaws, falls from trees, and being hit by a falling branch or tree are the cause of the majority of major and fatal injuries. The startling fact is that those involved in tree care have a higher likelihood of sustaining a serious injury than those in building and construction.

In relation to insurance claims the most frequent tree surgery accidents involve lifting injuries, falling from ladders and being struck by objects (cranes, ropes, trees, grapple hooks, branches etc).

This should all help you to appreciate why it's so critical to employ a certified tree surgeon in Torquay. In the tree care sector, most accidents are down to unskilled workers attempting tasks that they're not trained to do, or capable of. Therefore, to avoid this type of problem, always try to use an established and reputable Torquay company who have been trading in the local area for a good few years.

TPOs (Tree Preservation Orders) Torquay

Before you schedule any significant work on your trees in Torquay, you must make certain none of them have Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) You must check with your local authority to make sure none of the trees within the boundaries of your property are covered by TPOs. If any of your trees have TPOs, you cannot carry out wilful destruction, topping, cutting down, wilful damage, lopping, removal or uprooting, without written permission from the local authority. Any good tree surgeon in Torquay will be happy to help you with this process.

For any of you who reside within a conservation area in Torquay, no less than six weeks written notice must be given to the local authority if you plan to undertake any work on a tree with a diameter of 75 millimetres or more.

The Skills and Knowledge Needed to be a Tree Surgeon in Torquay

• Have the ability to work with your hands.
• Be patient and have the ability to remain calm in times of stress.
• Have a methodical working approach.
• Decent customer skills.
• Be aware of the dangers and complexities involved with the various areas of the work.
• Being able to work well with other people.
• Physical skills such as co-ordination and movement.
• Have the ability to maintain, repair and use tools and equipment.
• To be able to complete basic tasks on a hand-held device or computer.
• Be professional and able to complete work within the set time frame.
• Have a good understanding of public safety and security.

Cable Bracing Torquay

A procedure which is employed to provide support for a tree when it has signs of damage or decay or is a risk to nearby persons or property, cable bracing can be highly useful in the right situation. Where highly valued or older trees in Torquay are involved, cable bracing is used where it is undesirable to chop down a tree or remove large portions that are unsafe.

A cable bracing system can be effective in supporting any defective joints, V-shaped forks and weak limbs that are causing concerns. To help mitigate structural tension and extend the lifespan of old and valued trees most Torquay tree surgeons will be equipped to undertake different forms of bracing work through the installation of cables and rods.

The purpose of cable bracing is to offer a non-invasive method of support which does not cause additional damage to the tree by having to drill and bolt the branches, and one that is is shock-absorbing and flexible. To guarantee the safety of the tree and adjacent areas, a risk assessment must be done before any actual cable bracing work can proceed. (Tags: Cable Bracing Torquay, Tree Cable Bracing Torquay, Cable Bracing Techniques Torquay, Cable Bracing Trees Torquay).

Tree Surveys Torquay

Tree surveys might be necessary for a variety of reasons, but most commonly when property extension or development is taking place. If, for instance, you're clearing some land in Torquay to prepare for the building of an extension to an existing property or a brand new home, and trees are growing on that land, you may need to arrange a tree survey to British Standards BS5837 (2012). Tree surveys in Torquay must be handled by an accredited arborist or tree surgeon, and this holds true whether the tree survey is being carried out on either a public or private property.

For the area in question, a whole bunch of information will be gleaned about all the trees within it. For example:

• The existence of any TPOs (Tree Preservation Orders).
• Tree management guidelines.
• The structural and physiological health of the trees.
• The diameter of each tree (taken 1.5m above the ground).
• The height of each tree in metres.
• The number of trees (those of more than 75mm diameter 1.5m from the ground).
• The predicted life expectancy of the trees.
• The spread of branches to the West, East, South and North.
• A tree reference number for each tree.
• The species of trees.
• The ages of the trees.

If you are doing work on an existing home or property in Torquay, and are not changing the access points or service lines, or extending the footprint of the property, you probably won't need to carry out a tree survey. (Tags: Torquay Tree Surveys, Tree Surveyors Torquay, Tree Surveys Torquay, Tree Survey Torquay).

Air-Spading Torquay

There are various issues that can impact on the overall health of your trees, and the tree's root system is an obvious place to consider whenever you have cause for concern. A local tree surgeon in Torquay might need to access your tree's root system, so as to check for problems such as root rot and soil compaction.

This was sometimes a difficult thing to achieve until recently, because in the digging down process, the roots could be easily damaged. Some up-to-date and "savvy" tree surgeons in Torquay use a method called "air spading", which uses compressed air to effectively break up and strip away compressed soil without any risk of damaging the tree's roots.

When the soil around the stem of a tree gets compacted by passing vehicles, building work or heavy foot traffic, the health of the tree can be badly affected. A tree can become "stressed" due to a lack of water and nutrients, which renders it more prone to attacks by disease, insects and pests. Root flare problems can also be resolved with air-spading, and this is when the flare around the base of the stem becomes covered with too much soil, heightening the likelihood of root decay by causing tissue breakdown.

Involving the use of an air compressor and an air-spading tool, this process directs high-speed air into the soil, this breaks it down by penetrating spaces in the soil, but leaves tree roots and utilities unaffected. All the soil is blown away from the tree's roots by the powerful air flow, meaning that immediate inspection and investigation can take place. Any obvious problems can then be remedied and the soil exchanged for a looser layer of wood chips and fertiliser to revitalize the tree.

Removal of Tree Stumps Torquay

When you have a tree felled and removed from your property in Torquay, unless previously agreed with the tree surgery company, you will likely be left with a tree stump to deal with. Now, in some circumstances you may be perfectly happy to leave the stump in place and allow it to decay in a natural way. However, a big tree stump could take quite a few years to break down, and may even send out suckers in an attempt to regrow itself. Tree stumps can also be an eyesore, be a trip hazard, and can attract undesirable pests.

There are several ways that you can remove a tree stump, if you decide that this is the best thing to do, though the two main choices are stump removal and stump grinding. Purely for the purposes of this piece we will be focusing on removal as opposed to grinding.

There are three primary procedures that you can use to get rid of a tree stump - you can burn it, you can use a chemical stump killer or you can dig it out by hand. If it's your intention to carry out the stump removal on your own, any of these approaches could be an option. If you are using a tree surgeon in Torquay, they will normally recommend the aforementioned stump grinding method.

Chemical Stump Killers: If you choose the chemical removal solution, you will need to get hold of Roundup Tree Stump Remover, Vitax SBK Stump Killer or Resolva Xtra Tough Tree Stump Killer. Avoid contact with the skin when working with any of these chemicals, and also avoid inhaling. You should stick to the maker's instructions, for timings, quantities and applications. Subject to the dimensions of your tree stump, and whether it's dead or alive when it is treated, it can take quite a few weeks or possibly even months for a tree stump to break down totally, so regard this as a long term solution. As soon as it's decayed, an axe can be used to chop it up and a shovel for removal.

Hand Stump Digging: The digging out of a tree stump by hand is a quite self-explanatory process, and involves shoveling out out all the soil around the base of the stump, exposing and cutting all the thicker roots, and eventually freeing the stump so it can be hoisted out. For the final freeing up process you might need to get hold of a winch. This is hard graft and isn't for the faint-hearted or unfit.

Tree Stump Burning: Take care if you choose this approach to stump removal, as it can be dangerous and may be at variance with local laws. Several holes will have to be drilled into the tree stump, and for several days kept topped up with vegetable oil. The tree stump is then piled up with charcoal or logs and set alight. However, this must be continually monitored and never left to its own devices. As soon as the burning process has finished, you must ensure that the fire is fully extinguished, when it is completely cool you will be able to dig out and clear away the burnt remains of roots and stump.

An alternative method is scooping out all the soil from below the stump and lighting a fire in the void created underneath. If the stump is close to fences, other trees or buildings, you should never use any of these burning techniques.

Woodland Clearance Torquay

Woodland clearance in the Torquay area is a sophisticated process that can be affected by a number of regulations and restrictions. Hiring the services of an established Torquay tree surgeon for your woodland clearance project, will see them applying for any relevant permits, following applicable covenants and protection orders, and using ethical and eco-friendly procedures in completing the clearance.

A good tree surgeon will establish if there are any felling restrictions, special planning permissions or ecological constraints by carrying out a full habitat survey and liaising with local authorities. It might be that the land in question has got protected tree species or animals upon it, which will require relocation to another protected site, or other mitigation procedures to be employed.

The specialized and costly equipment used in woodland clearances, means it is far more economical to call on a qualified tree surgeon to take care of your clearance project. (Tags: Woodland Management Torquay, Woodland Clearance Torquay, Woodland Clearances Torquay, Woodland Preservation Torquay).

Tree Surgery Tasks Torquay

Torquay tree surgeons can normally help you with hedge reduction Torquay, cut sealing Torquay, crown removal, stump grinding, arboriculture, eco-plugging, tree lopping, professional tree care, drop crotching, fruit tree pruning, crown thinning, woodland clearances, tree cutting, damaged tree cutting and removal, safety inspections, landscape clearance, tree planning, stump treatment, coppicing, brush cutting services Torquay, hedge laying, dead wood removal, tree maintenance in Torquay, tree felling, woodchipping in Torquay, shrub maintenance, conrolling pests, tree lightening protection, tree removal, formative pruning, root flare exposure, commercial tree care, crown raising Torquay, domestic tree surgery, vegetation management and other tree surgeon services in Torquay, Devon. Listed are just a few of the activities that are carried out by tree surgeons. Torquay professionals will be happy to inform you of their whole range of services.

More Torquay Trades: Of course, when you happen to be having tree surgery done in Torquay, Devon, you'll likely need other garden related services, and together with a tree surgeon in Torquay, Devon, you could also need local SKIP HIRE in Torquay, garden pond builders in Torquay, waste removal in Torquay, garden design and planning in Torquay, landscape gardeners in Torquay, grass cutting services in Torquay, garden clearance in Torquay, garden sheds in Torquay, soil drainage services in Torquay, fence fitters in Torquay, artifical grass in Torquay, patio installation in Torquay, driveway pavers in Torquay, hedge shaping in Torquay, garden decking in Torquay, weeding services in Torquay, and other different Torquay tradespeople.

Tree Surgeons Near Torquay

Also find: Hollicombe tree surgeons, Babbacombe tree surgeons, Paignton tree surgeons, Edginswell tree surgeons, Torre tree surgeons, Combe Pafford tree surgeons, Shiphay tree surgeons, Watcombe tree surgeons, Hele Cross tree surgeons, Tweenaway tree surgeons, Shaldon tree surgeons, Cockington Village tree surgeons, Barton tree surgeons, Kingskerswell tree surgeons, Marldon tree surgeons, Maidencombe tree surgeons, St Marychurch tree surgeons and more. The majority of these towns and villages are catered for by local tree surgeons. Local home and property owners and others can obtain price quotes by clicking here.

(Created with tree surgeons Torquay text version four.)

More: Wood Chipping, Air-Spading, Cable Bracing, Tree Reduction, Crown Removal, Tree Bracing, Tree Maintenance, Crown Cleaning, Tree Reduction, Hedge Cutting, Tree Surveys, Tree Management, Hedge Reduction, Tree Removal, Crown Cleaning, Hedge Trimming, Eco-Plugging, Hedge Reduction, Woodland Management, Crown Cleaning, Crown Lifting, Stump Grinding, Tree Pruning, Root Decompaction, Hedge Planting, Crown Lifting, Tree Inspections, Woodland Management, Hedge Trimming, Crown Cleaning.

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