Tree Surgeons Braintree

There's a major risk of damaging trees, property or even life, for people in Braintree who attempt to do tree work on their own, or by employing unqualified individuals. However, tree work isn't a safe vocation, even for experienced tree surgeons, who are acquainted with all the risks. Tree surgery is certainly not a task for amateurs, and on average there are 140 serious injuries and 3 deaths per year within the profession, making it among the most hazardous jobs in the UK.

There is also a risk to life from damaged or poorly maintained trees in Braintree, since around five people a year are fatally wounded in the United Kingdom by falling trees and branches. If property is damaged, or an injury occurs due to you bringing in somebody to do tree work, you might be liable to third-party compensation claims. The above are just some of the reasons why retaining the services of an accredited Braintree tree surgeon to work on your trees is vitally important. (The above figures were sourced from HSE).

A decent tree surgeon in Braintree will likely be an approved member of one or both of the 2 main professional bodies. The websites of both the International Society of Arboriculture and the Arboricultural Association allow you to check out the professional standing and membership of any tree surgeon in Braintree. To discover whether any particular tree surgeon has ARB Approved Contractor status and has membership of either of these two organisations, you can check out this page.

If there is an issue during or after any work has been completed you will be able to make contact with these professional organisations for mediation assistance and for help and guidance at any point.

If anyone offers you a quotation for any tree work and they are not on this directory list, you should courteously decline their offer of work and continue your search for an approved contractor. You should try and get at least three different quotations from various companies in and around Braintree as soon as you're reassured of their professional associations and qualifications. While obtaining these quotes you must ask the following questions, making it clear that you need to know the answers because of the risks involved with tree surgery work:

• Can you provide me with a quotation in writing? You should NEVER settle for just a verbal quote. Only ever accept a quote in writing.
• What level of insurance cover have you got? Your tree surgeon ought to be able to produce an insurance certificate covering at the least five million pounds public liability, as stipulated by the ISA and AA.
• Have you got documents to indicate that you have the recommended qualifications, membership of the ISA or AA, and also a certificate for chainsaw use from the NPTC/LANTRA? Any tree surgeon/operative who uses a chainsaw, must by law hold a NPTC/LANTRA certificate. Qualifications can include National Diplomas and Certificates in Arboriculture.
• Can I check the quality of your workmanship by contacting a person you have worked for recently? It's generally advisable to do an independent examination of recently accomplished work.

The written quote that you are provided with should include clear and concise specifics of the planned work. It should include specifics of any trees which might be protected in law, and the steps required to get permission to work on them, and also state whose responsibility it is to remove tree branches, stumps and debris. You should also make certain VAT is included on the quote. Realising that you've got a responsibility to hire only trained people to work on your trees and property, is extremely important.

PRIOR TO WORK BEGINNING - Finding out whether any of your trees are covered by a TPO, your preferred Braintree tree surgeon should make sure that any tree work gets the green light from the relevant local authorities. To ensure public safety, even protected trees need maintenance so as to cut back old or damaged wood, so finding that a tree is protected does not mean that you are unable to carry out essential work.

A minimum of six weeks written notice is required to the Local Planning Authority (LPA) prior to any work being carried out, if your property in Braintree is inside a designated conservation area. This notice isn't required if the trunk of the tree is under 7.5cm in diameter when measured at 1.5m from the ground. Notice is also not required if pruning or thinning of a protected tree's branches is necessary to encourage and sustain growth.

After fully assessing the health of your trees, your chosen Braintree tree surgeon will decide on the appropriate treatments and how the required outcome can best be accomplished. Your property, public areas and any sections of a neighbour's property that could be affected by falling debris and branches will all be given a risk assessment. This stage will also ascertain the amount of operatives required and the level of protection needed. This could include various safety precautions together with PPE to ensure the safety of the general public and nearby property.

ON THE DAY OF WORK - Barriers and safety measures will be put in place before any cutting of branches, tree felling or climbing is started, to keep passers-by and unauthorised persons away from the area where work is going on. If there's any threat of falling debris into a public highway, traffic might need to be stopped temporarily.

Different types of tree work will demand that the tree surgeon has different degrees of protection. At the very least when working with a chainsaw they're going to be wearing protective clothing to avoid injuring the torso, hands and legs. All workers involved in the operation should be wearing high visibility clothing, and head and eye protection, at all times.

Ladders and associated climbing equipment will be required if working at height is involved, and to help with the removal of high branches and large pieces of tree trunk, extra personnel will be needed. A skip or other method of transporting the waste materials away will be stationed as close to the work area as possible, therefore it's recommended that you inform your neighbours of the need for easy access.

UPON COMPLETION OF WORK - When the work has been accomplished all of the waste materials will be hauled away and the whole site cleared of all debris. Particularly where the trees are covered by TPOs, a certificate of work should then be created by your tree surgeon, which can be signed off and a copy given to you. If any safety measures were put in public areas they can now be taken down, with footpaths and roads being re-opened to the public.

If you have any problems or issues with the completed work, you should first take them up with your tree surgeon so that they can be rectified immediately. If any further arbitration is needed, and your tree surgeon is a member of a professional body, you can receive advice and guidance from the AA or the ISA in order to reach an acceptable solution.

Dead-Wooding Braintree

Dead-wooding is an essential element of tree care and upkeep, and all experienced Braintree tree surgeons will undertake this practice where needed. Calling for the careful removal or dead and dying branches which could present a danger to passers-by, vehicles or property, dead-wooding can help make a tree both healthier and safer. The most common reasons for tree branches dying are a damaged root system, heavy shading, disease or pest attacks, and this is in fact a purely natural process.

While the usual rationale for the removal of dead branches is one of safety, it is also sometimes done for the benefit of the tree, and for aesthetic reasons. A tree which has too many damaged, dying and dead branches is vulnerable to infestation by insects and disease, so you can radically improve a tree's health by removing these offending branches. You can also make a tree look more attractive through this process, as trees with a lot of dead wood can also look very ugly.

Only substantial dead branches will be taken out in many instances, because a minimal risk is posed by the smaller ones. Although, where trees are overhanging a dwelling, a highway, a public space, a park or a garden in Braintree, it might be necessary to remove any dead timber that's in excess of 50mm in diameter. (Tags: Deadwooding Braintree, Deadwooding Trees Braintree, Dead-Wooding Braintree, Dead-Wooding Surgery Braintree).

Protecting Trees in Winter

While you may not believe that the weather in Braintree is harsh enough to justify protecting your trees and shrubs, it might be wise to take a second look at this. Even the most hardy of shrubs, trees and plants can find it hard during the winter season, and a little bit of additional protection during times of intense cold will definitely benefit them.

Strong winds and storms can be the biggest problem where trees are concerned, and although most of your trees will have shed all their leaves come winter, they could still be susceptible in severe conditions. If you are worried about a tree's condition, or it looks like it might topple over, you should speak to a tree surgeon to inspect it and complete a risk assessment. Damaged trees can also result from heavy snowfall, so when this kind of weather is on the cards, keep an eye out for issues. Protection from frost and ice may be required for some trees and shrubs (especially ones that have been newly planted), and a substantial layer of mulch round their bases can help to keep their roots from freezing, and allow them to absorb moisture.

The Day to Day Tasks of a Tree Surgeon

• Chip and cut logs and branches.
• Prepare tree survey reports for commercial and domestic clients.
• Fell and remove trees and perform stump grinding.
• Create telephone or on-site quotes for clients.
• Maintain and service equipment like chippers and chainsaws.
• Deal with customers and complete administration tasks.
• Evaluate tree health and treatment.
• Be competent using power tools and other powered machinery.
• Establish hazards presented by trees.
• Plant trees and vegetation.
• Climb trees to prune or remove branches.
• Tidy work area upon completion and fulfil removal of waste product from customer's site.

Tree Stump Removal Braintree

When a tree needs chopping down and removing on your property in Braintree, you will also need to consider the stump. You might be contemplating using the tree stump as a garden seat or some other useful feature, and may be happy to leave it in situ until it rots away with time. However, stumps in your garden can produce suckers in an attempt to regrow themselves, and sizeable stumps can take many years to rot down, during which time they can become an eyesore, a trip hazard and the perfect hiding place for unwanted bacteria, fungi and pests.

If you choose to remove the stump once and for all, there are various ways you can do this, but they fall under 2 primary alternatives stump removal and stump grinding. For the purposes of this section we will be considering stump removal as opposed to stump grinding.

There are basically 3 techniques for removing a tree stump - chemical treatment, digging out by hand and burning. You could make use of any of these procedures if you're planning to remove the stump by yourself. If a tree surgeon is going to be doing the work, stump grinding is most often their technique of choice, although eco-plugging or another chemically based stump removal treatment may be suggested.

Chemical Stump Removal: A strong chemical solution like Roundup Tree Stump Remover, Resolva Xtra Tough Tree Stump Killer or Vitax SBK Stump Killer, will be needed if you elect to go with the chemical treatment option. Always wear gloves and avoid contact with the skin when using any of these chemicals, and also try not to inhale. You must stick rigidly to the manufacturer's directions, for applications, quantities and timings. Your stump will take quite a few weeks to rot down and can then be chopped up and removed with an axe and spade.

Burning Tree Stumps: Because it could be at variance with local legislation and can definitely be quite dangerous, burning a tree stump isn't usually a recommended course of action. If you choose this approach, extreme care must be taken. The technique comprises drilling several holes into the tree stump and continuously filling and topping up the holes with vegetable oil and left to sit for aa few days. You should then pile charcoal up around the tree stump and set it alight. But, this must be monitored continually and not left unwatched. Make certain that the fire is extinguished as soon as it's totally burned out. You will be able to dig out the roots and stump ashes when it has completely cool.

An alternative method is shoveling out all the soil from beneath the tree stump and setting a fire in the cavity underneath. None of these burning procedures should even be contemplated if the stump is in close proximity to a building, other trees or fences.

Hand Stump Digging: Digging by hand is fairly self-explanatory and involves digging down, sawing through all the roots, and releasing the stump. Some type of cable ratchet winch may be required for the final lifting out process. This kind of work is not for the faint-hearted or unfit, as it's exhausting and tedious.

Tree Care Accidents

As we have already said, tree surgeons and tree care professionals in Braintree carry out work that can be highly hazardous. With a high risk of injury to both operatives, co-workers and passers-by, all reasonable safety measures must be implemented when working on trees.

As stated by figures gathered by the HSE (Health & Safety Executive), the use of chainsaws, falls from trees, and being struck by a falling branch or tree are the cause of the vast majority of fatal and serious injuries. Surprisingly, the risk of being seriously injured is greater in tree surgery work than it is for those in the construction sector.

According to insurance provider databases, falling from ladders, lifting injuries and being struck by objects (branches, ropes, trees, cranes, grapple hooks etc), are the most commonplace accidents for which claims are made.

All of this demonstrates the need for hiring a seasoned Braintree tree surgeon to do the work on your trees. In the tree care sector, many accidents can be attributed to inexperienced workers trying to carry out tasks that they're not fully trained in, or equipped for. So, always try to use an experienced and trustworthy Braintree company that has been operating in the area for a good few years, to avoid this problem.

Hedge Cutting Braintree

While the vast majority of projects performed by tree surgeons in Braintree involves the care and maintenance of trees and shrubs, the cutting back of hedges is another process that they can perform. When you've got Leylandii or similar conifer hedges, this is particularly important, since they can grow so high that a regular gardener or homeowner will find them virtually impossible to deal with using standard tools.

When hedges are poorly maintained and neglected, they can become overgrown and out of control very quickly. It's advisable to trim your hedges regularly, and this is not merely to prevent them from take over large parts of your garden, but also to make them more visually appealing and heathier.

Neat hedges help make your garden and property tidier and more appealing, which could be a big advantage if you are thinking about selling your home in Braintree sometime soon.

Crown Thinning Braintree

Taking away smaller living branches on the outer areas of the tree's crown, yet not changing the size or shape of the tree, has the name crown thinning. This is intended to develop a uniform density of foliage, which itself achieves specified goals such as: to let more light to pass through, to stop the tree being uprooted in strong winds, to reduce the wind resistance of the tree, to minimize the stress on certain branches caused by gravity, wind, ice, or snow or to lessen the weight of the crown of the tree. The overall form and size of the tree shouldn't be changed by crown thinning, and should only result in a uniform thickness of foliage encircling consistently spaced branches.

Leylandii Hedge Removal

Leylandii hedges are a popular choice for homeowners in Braintree due to their fast growth rate and ability to provide privacy. However, they can quickly become overgrown and difficult to maintain. Before removing a Leylandii hedge, it is crucial to think about a few critical factors. The primary consideration is to ascertain that the hedge isn't shielded by any legal provisions, including a Tree Preservation Order. In such cases, you must seek approval from the local council before removing the hedge. Also, Leylandii hedges may have extensive roots, necessitating the engagement of a qualified tree surgeon to safely remove the hedge and its roots. Finally, it's crucial to dispose of the hedge waste in a responsible and eco-friendly way after its removal. To wrap up, removing a Leylandii hedge can be a challenging and potentially hazardous task, highlighting the importance of taking the appropriate safety measures and potentially seeking the guidance of an expert.

Invasive Tree Root Problems Braintree

When they're growing too near to your house in Braintree, certain trees have exceptionally invasive root systems, and can cause problems. Lifting patios, damaged foundations and blocked drains, are among the most commonplace issues that you might run across. Species like willows, sycamores, elms and maples, are trees that have extremely aggressive root systems.

Challenges can be averted in the future, if you make sure you plant new trees as far away as possible from pathways, your drainage pipes, your house and patios. If established trees are growing too close to your house and are already causing some of these issues, you must get hold of a tree surgeon in Braintree, to see what can be done to rectify the situation.

To avoid significantly harming your tree's health or even killing it off altogether, you should not just hack away at the problematic roots in an attempt to resolve this yourself. For a tree to survive successfully it will still need to be getting ample water and nutrients, and a skilled tree surgeon in Braintree will know exactly which roots should be left in place, and which roots can be safely cut back.

Subterranean drainage systems are extremely attractive to shrub and tree roots, as they provide a steady source of nutrients and moisture, and they can often suffer cracks and structural damage. Blockages and joint failure can arise, when minute tree roots compromise a drainage system's joints, establish themselves and grow into enormous root balls. To eliminate the offending tree roots, specialised root removal solutions will be offered by many Braintree tree surgeons, who will employ manual rodding, mechanical equipment or high pressure jetting.

Coming Soon:

Stump grinding machines - article 678.

Tree Surgery Tasks Braintree

Braintree tree surgeons can normally help with crown raising, fruit tree pruning, tree fertilising, landscaping Braintree, stump removal, vegetation management, tree dismantling, cut sealing, landscape clearance, damaged tree removal Braintree, root removal, hedge reduction, dead wood removal, tree cabling, hedge cutting, root flare exposure in Braintree, tree removal, tree planning, tree watering in Braintree, tree pest management, damage restoration, tree cutting, hazard assessment, tree transplanting, tree lopping, air spading, crown thinning in Braintree, domestic tree surgery Braintree, shrub maintenance, coppicing, tree maintenance, soil terraventing, stump treatment, tree reshaping, stump grinding and other tree surgeon services in Braintree, Essex. Listed are just an example of the tasks that are performed by local tree surgeons. Braintree professionals will be happy to inform you of their full range of services.

Tree Surgeons Near Braintree: Also find: Black Notley tree surgeons, Bocking tree surgeons, Finchingfield tree surgeons, Panfield tree surgeons, Rayne tree surgeons, Gosfield tree surgeons, Silver End tree surgeons, Cressing tree surgeons, Great Leighs tree surgeons, Stisted tree surgery and more. Most of these villages and towns are served by local tree surgeons. Braintree business and home owners can obtain price quotes by clicking here.

(Created with tree surgeons Braintree text version four.)

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