Tree Surgeons Aldenham

Playing a crucial role in the maintenance and general care of trees, tree surgeons offer services to both public and private clients in Aldenham. A trained tree surgeon in Aldenham will be able to provide felling and removal, the pruning of dead, intrusive or weak branches, inspections and hazard assessments, safe tree planting, and general tree care, to name just a few examples.

However, the job of the tree surgeon doesn't end with trees. Such tasks as hedge care, trimming and maintenance and stump removal, are amongst the other responsibilities of a tree surgeon in Aldenham. If you've any reservations about the structural integrity of a tree, the best person to call is a tree surgeon, as they can effectively assess and give a report on the hazards, and provide guidance on what to do next.

Any intelligent person in Aldenham would recognise that tree surgery is an exceptionally hazardous task, and that it should not be attempted by anybody that's not properly trained. Though the temptation may be to opt for the do-it-yourself approach and bypass the costs, it wouldn't be the brightest decision you have ever made. To be able to undertake this kind of work, tree surgeons must be experienced, qualified and physically fit.

Working at height is always hazardous, and using dangerous chainsaws and power tools whilst elevated in the air and suspended in a tree is no exception. It is certainly not a task for a beginner! A team of professional tree surgeons is usually needed to accomplish a tree surgery project, and should include both a ground team and climbers, who are all experts in what they do. It would be nigh on impossible for any unqualified individual to compete with this level of competence, risk assessment and experience to carry out the work.

The first step following establishing you need the help of a tree surgeon is tracking down a trustworthy one in Aldenham. But, how? Well, several things will need to be checked out, for instance what qualifications they have and how much it will cost. Now, we'll provide you with some handy tips for obtaining the best tree surgeon to carry out, care for and maintain your tree needs.

Checking that they have the appropriate qualifications is the initial step in dispelling any doubts that they are properly accredited and competent. The governing body issuing certifications to tree surgeons is the NPTC (National Proficiency Tests Council). At the very minimum, any professional tree surgeon in Aldenham should have the following certifications:

• NPTC 203 (CS31) - Fell and process small trees up to 380mm in diameter.
• NPTC 206/306 (CS38) - Climb a tree and perform aerial rescue.
• NPTC 201/202 (CS30) - Chainsaw maintenance, on site preparation, & basic cross-cutting.
• NPTC 308 (CS39) - Aerial cutting of trees using free-fall techniques.

Though there isn't a legal requirement for a tree surgeon to hold these certifications, if you are able to find one that does have them, it is an indication that they have had the right training to safely and successfully complete the task. It is also vital that some basic First Aid qualifications are held by arborists, tree surgeons and forestry workers, and that they carry a comprehensive First Aid kit in line with HSE workplace guidelines.

Getting a few quotations will be the next step, along with checking the breakdown of costs. It is best to get three or four quotes from different tree surgeons in the Aldenham area. You might notice that the disposal of the considerable amount of waste typically produced by tree surgery won't always be included in the costs quoted. It's certainly preferable to have the tree surgeons remove this waste themselves if possible, since getting rid of such waste can be a huge cost and inconvenience to you.

To add to this, ensure that you are prepared to ask lots of important questions when you come face to face with the tree surgeon. As an example, you need to understand who is going to be accessing your property and who is going to be doing the actual work. Is it going to involve one tree surgeon working alone, or will it be a crew of arborists? Will you be able to meet up with them before work begins? What tree removal or surgery methods will be used on your tree? What will the impact on my home or my neighbours be? How long will the job take?

To avert any nasty surprises down the road, the more questions you ask the better.

Lastly, listen carefully to your tree surgeon. Pay particular attention to the ways in which they describe the work they are going to undertake, as this can give you clues about their level of knowledge. If your so called 'tree surgeon' talks about 'lopping and topping', this could be someone to avoid, since this sort of term is more likely to come from rogue traders and cowboys, who know little or nothing about modern approaches to tree surgery. Terminology like 'pruning', 'pollarding', 'crown lifting', 'crown reduction' and 'crown thinning', should be used by a professional, skilled and experienced tree surgeon in Aldenham. While this may not necessarily be an indicator of ability, it can certainly be a useful clue as to the level of expertise attained by your tree surgeon.

To sum up, it's always worth taking the time to consult a number of tree surgeons in Aldenham with regards to any possible tree care or tree surgery needs you might have. This will help you in finding the right tradesperson for the task, and one who will ensure all your requirements are fully met in a timely manner, with safe practices at the forefront of their mind.

Ash Dieback

First reported in the British Isles in 2021, ash dieback is a fatal fungal disease that's likely to decimate approximately 80% of the current ash trees, over the next few years. Following the Dutch Elm Disease disaster, which killed the United Kingdom's elm trees, ash dieback is set to have a huge impact on our countryside.

A lethal disease of trees of the Fraxinus genus, ash dieback has an especially disastrous effect on the Fraxinus excelsior (common ash), British Fraxinus excelsior (common or European ash). The fungus which causes the disease is named Hymenoscyphus fraxineus, and it originated in eastern Asia.

Ash dieback (or chalara ash dieback as it is sometimes known) has already spread to most areas of Britain, and is dispersed by spores that blow on the wind, which can travel for tens of miles, speeding up the whole process.

Ash dieback affects trees from every age group and has the following symptoms:

• New epicormic growth appearing from buds that were previously seen to be dormant.
• Dark brown lesions (often diamond shaped) form where branches join the trunk, and the inner bark under the lesions looks brownish grey.
• Dark patches on leaves during the summertime.
• Dying leaves and shoots are visible in summer.
• Foliage that wilts, turns black and falls early.

Sometimes ash trees are able to repel early infections, but as the disease returns every year, they ultimately die. At present there is no clear approach for stopping the spread of aash dieback, and there is no cure.

If you believe you have discovered a tree infected with ash dieback in your garden in Aldenham, or in the local community, you could report it to the Forestry Commission's "Tree Alert Service", although ash dieback is so common throughout Britain that they are really only interested in cases discovered in areas not previously affected. You can still however contact a local tree surgeon, who'll offer advice and guidance on how to proceed.

Trees that are affected by ash dieback: Fraxinus excelsior, Fraxinus nigra, Fraxinus americana, Fraxinus angustifolia, Fraxinus mandschurica, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Fraxinus ornus.

Removing Tree Stumps Aldenham

After getting a substantial tree felled in Aldenham, you'll be left with a further problem - the tree stump. Now, in some cases you might be happy enough to leave the tree stump in place and allow it to decay in a natural way. However, stumps left in your garden can be trip hazards, can attract unwanted pests, and can even send out suckers in an effort to regrow.

There are a number of methods for getting rid of a stump altogether, but stump removal and stump grinding are the 2 key options. In the next couple of paragraphs we will be looking at the removal alternative rather than grinding.

There are essentially three primary procedures that you can use to get rid of a tree stump - you can dig it out by hand, you can treat it with chemicals or you can burn it. If you want to take a shot at removing the stump for on your own, you could pick any one of these procedures where appropriate. If you're hiring a tree surgeon in Aldenham, they will usually plump for the previously mentioned stump grinding option.

Digging Out by Hand: The strategy for digging out a stump by hand is rather self-explanatory, and calls for shoveling out out as much earth as possible from around the roots, cutting any major roots with a chainsaw or handsaw, and ultimately freeing the stump so that it can be lifted out and removed. Some type of winch could be necessary for the final lifting process. This can be tiring and laborious work, and should never be attempted by anybody who's not physically fit and up to the job.

Chemical Stump Killers: For chemically removing a tree stump you will need to invest in Vitax SBK Stump Killer, Resolva Xtra Tough Tree Stump Killer or Roundup Tree Stump Remover. Always wear gloves and avoid skin contact when applying any of these chemical solutions, and also try not to inhale. You must stick rigidly to the maker's instructions, for rates, applications and timings. Depending on the size of your stump, and whether it's alive or dead at the time of treatment, it can take quite a few weeks or even months for a stump to decay completely, so regard this as a long term resolution. As soon as it is well rotted, an axe can be used to chop it up and a shovel for removal.

Burning a Tree Stump: Burning a stump isn't usually recommended, and may contravene local legislation, so take care if choosing this option. It comprises drilling a few holes in the stump and continually filling and topping up the holes with vegetable oil and left to sit for aa few days. You should then heap charcoal around the stump and set fire to it. But, this must be checked continually and not left unwatched. Once the burning process is complete, you must ensure that the fire is fully extinguished, when it has completely cooled down you will be able to dig out and clear away the remaining pieces of roots and stump.

A different method is scooping out all the soil from below the tree stump and lighting a fire in the void created underneath. Never try burning out a stump if it's near fences, a building or other trees.

Tree Surveys Aldenham

Tree surveys may be needed for various reasons, but most frequently when development or property extension is concerned. As required by British Standards BS5837, if you're clearing some land to prepare for the building of an extension to an existing property or a brand new house in Aldenham, and there are trees standing on that land, you will need to complete a tree survey. Tree surveys on both private and public property in Aldenham, must be undertaken by a certified tree surgeon or arboricultural surveyor.

A whole host of information about all the trees within a defined area will be gleaned by a properly conducted tree survey. For instance:

• The structural and physiological health of the trees.
• The age of the trees (i.e. young, semi-mature, mature, over-mature and veteran).
• Preliminary tree management advice.
• The height of each tree.
• A unique tree reference number for each of the trees.
• The expected lifespan of the trees.
• The diameter of each tree (taken 1.5m above ground level).
• The species of trees.
• The existence of any TPOs.
• The number of trees.
• The branch spread towards the South, North, East and West.

If you happen to be carrying out work on an existing home in Aldenham, and are not modifying the service lines or access points, or extending the building's footprint, you probably won't need to carry out a tree survey.

Hedge Cutting Aldenham

Whilst the majority of projects carried out by tree surgeons in Aldenham involves the maintenance and care of trees and shrubs, the cutting back of hedges is another process that they regularly carry out. When you have Leylandii or similar conifer hedges, this is especially useful, since they can grow so tall that a gardener will find them virtually impossible to deal with using standard tools.

A hedge can quickly get out of control and overgrown when it's neglected and poorly maintained. Regular clipping is recommended if you don't want a hedge to run riot in large parts of your garden in Aldenham, and along with making the hedge healthier and stronger it also looks better aesthetically.

Tidy hedges help to make your property and garden neater and more appealing, which could be a massive advantage if you are thinking about selling your home in Aldenham in the forseeable future. You should also be able to obtain hedge cutting in Meriden, Shenleybury, Colney Street, Frogmore, Smug Oak, Bricket Wood, Garston, Letchmore Heath, Patchetts Green, Round Bush, and Aldenham itself. (Tags: Hedge Trimming Aldenham, Hedge Maintenance Aldenham, Hedge Cutting Aldenham, Hedge Clipping Aldenham).

Logs & Firewood Aldenham

When you're looking for firewood or logs in Aldenham, contacting your local tree surgeon is always a good idea, because they are usually an excellent source for this. This is no great surprise, as tree surgeons spend most of their days cutting down trees and branches.

If you're lucky, you may find a tree surgeon in the Aldenham area who gives logs and branches away free to collectors, these will often be "green" and need to be thoroughly dried out. Others will sell their logs in bags or by the tonne, and these will normally be fully seasoned and dried logs, that are ready for burning.

The perfect logs for burning on your open fire or log burner will be those that have a moisture content of less than 20%, and will have been dried out for at least 12 months. Typically tree surgeons in Aldenham will have stocks of assorted hardwood logs, and the benefit of these is that they give a long, sustained burn, and provide many hours of comforting heat. If you are also able to lay your hands on some softwood logs, these are great for getting a fire burning, and upon which you can throw your hardwood logs once the fire is blazing.

Vegetation Management

Tree care specialists don't only take care of the removal and care of trees exclusively, they'll also manage all types of vegetation that is choking your backyard and overtaking the entire area. Generally tree specialists will be prepared to clear away overgrown vegetation, shrubs, weeds and bushes that might be thriving around drives, pathways, garages, buildings or sheds, and generally causing an annoyance. If you're to maintain your garden correctly then this excessive growth must be taken away on a regular basis, and if you have the inclination and time then this is certainly a job that you could do by yourself if you are fit enough, or you might book in your local tree surgeon to call every six months or so to make sure it is under control. Vegetation management is important if you are to have safe and easy access to every part of your property and if this isn't done the plants and vegetation will pretty quickly get out of control and take a lot of the enjoyment out of your garden. Aside from everything else your garden will also look a picture when properly maintained.

Protecting Trees and Shrubs in Winter

Protecting your shrubs and trees in winter is perhaps a measure that you've not thought too much about, maybe presuming that the winter weather conditions in the UK aren't harsh enough to justify this. Even the hardiest of plants, shrubs and trees can find it challenging during wintertime, and just a bit of added protection in times of severe cold will definitely be a benefit.

Naturally where trees are involved it is high winds that can be the biggest problem and despite the fact that the majority of trees will have shed their leaves, they might still suffer damage in windy conditions. If you have a tree on your property that appears to be damaged, or is in danger of crashing to the ground, you'll need to have it examined by a tree surgeon, who'll offer guidance and advice. Trees can also suffer problems due to heavy snow, so keep your eyes open for damage in this type of weather. In the depth of winter, your trees and shrubs may need a little protection from frost and ice. Laying a blanket of mulch round the stem bases will allow them to continue absorbing moisture and stop the surrounding soil from freezing.

A Tree Surgeons's Day to Day Duties

• Assess tree health and treatment.
• Prepare tree survey reports for commercial and domestic clients.
• Cut and chip logs and branches.
• Fell and remove trees and perform stump grinding.
• Service equipment like chippers and chainsaws.
• Climb trees to prune or remove branches as required.
• Tree planting and transplanting.
• Produce telephone or on-site price quotes for clients.
• Tidy up site on completion and remove waste from client's site.
• Identify dangers presented by trees.
• Deal with customers and complete administrative duties.
• Be proficient with power tools and powered equipment.

The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA)

An international, non-profit organisation with its headquarters in Atlanta, GA, USA, the International Society of Arboriculture is often referred to as the ISA. Serving the tree care industry across the globe, the ISA is a membership association that upholds the professional practice of arboriculture, and provides credentials for tree care professionals.

With its focus clearly on research, technology and education, the ISA endorses best tree care practice through educational events, publications and services, allowing those in the tree care industry to improve their knowledge, skills and arboricultural expertise.

During mid-2016 the United Kingdom's AA (Arboricultural Association) proudly became an associate organisation of the ISA after signing a partnership agreement with them. This significantly strengthened the relationship between the ISA and AA and provided further opportunities for ISA members in the UK and Ireland. UK tree care professionals with ISA or AA membership are now able to reap the wide and varied benefits of being part of a global network. Boasting over 22,000 members globally the ISA now has professional affiliates and associate organisations in Australia, Asia, New Zealand, Europe, South Africa, and the United Kingdom.

Coming Soon:

Stump grinding machines - article 246.

Tree Surgery Tasks Aldenham

Aldenham tree surgeons can usually help you with retrenchment pruning, commercial tree care, crown thinning in Aldenham, woodland clearances in Aldenham, hedge trimming, drop crotching, tree pruning, woodchipping, pollarding, hedge lowering, crown cleaning, cable bracing in Aldenham, root removal, root grinding Aldenham, vegetation management in Aldenham, dead wood removal, safety inspections, waste removal, decompaction Aldenham, root flare exposure, eco plug treatments, residential tree care, damage restoration, formative pruning, crown raising in Aldenham, monitoring of tree health, tree care services, tree cutting, tree watering in Aldenham, tree maintenance, tree topping, staking, forestry management in Aldenham, crown removal, tree planting Aldenham and other tree surgeon services in Aldenham, Hertfordshire. Listed are just an example of the duties that are conducted by local tree surgeons. Aldenham companies will be happy to inform you of their whole range of services.

Tree Surgeons Near Aldenham: Also find: Meriden tree surgeons, Colney Street tree surgeons, Letchmore Heath tree surgeons, Garston tree surgeons, Patchetts Green tree surgeons, Frogmore tree surgeons, Smug Oak tree surgeons, Bricket Wood tree surgeons, Round Bush tree surgeons, Shenleybury tree surgery and more. Most of these locations are covered by local tree surgeons. Aldenham householders can obtain tree surgery quotations by clicking here.

(Sourced from tree surgeons Aldenham text version three.)

Tree Care Aldenham - Tree Management Aldenham - Root Removal Aldenham - Tree Surgery Aldenham - Stump Removal Aldenham - Vegetation Control Aldenham Hertfordshire - Arboriculture Aldenham - Woodland Management Aldenham - Tree Surgeons Near Me