Tree Surgeons Chichester

Employing an unqualified operative for tree work or trying to do it on your own, could cause damage to property, harm your trees, or even be life threatening. However, tree work is certainly not a safe undertaking, even for qualified tree surgeons, who are familiar with all the dangers. Within the industry there are a worrying average of three deaths and 140 major injuries each year, making it one of the most dangerous jobs in the UK.

With falling branches or trees causing around five deaths a year in the United Kingdom, a threat to life can even be posed by a damaged or poorly maintained tree. If an injury occurs, or property is damaged due to you employing somebody to perform tree work, you might be liable to third-party compensation claims due to the consequences of your actions. This is why retaining the services of a competent Chichester tree surgeon to carry out the work on your trees is very important. (The source of the above figures was HSE).

PICKING A TREE SURGEON IN CHICHESTER - A trained Chichester tree surgeon ought to be an approved member of one or both of the 2 trade bodies found in the UK. The professional status and membership of any tree surgeon in Chichester can be checked out on the websites of both the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and the Arboricultural Association (AA). Membership of either of these organisations gives the tree surgeon recognised ARB Approved Contractor status which can be checked out on this page.

If there's a problem during the course of the tree work, or after it has been concluded you're able to get in touch with these trade organisations for mediation and for help and guidance.

If anyone offers to provide you with a quotation for any tree work and you can't find them on this directory, you should politely decline their offer of work and carry on with your search for an approved tree surgeon. Once their professional qualifications and associations have been carefully checked, you should try to get a minimum of 3 different price quotes from various companies in the Chichester area. Because of the risks involved in the work, you should ask the questions below, making it abundantly clear that you need them to provide you with the answers:

• Precisely what level of insurance coverage do you have? Your tree surgeon ought to be able to produce an insurance certificate covering a minimum of five million pounds public liability, as stipulated by the ISA and AA.
• Have you got documentary evidence of your professional membership, qualifications and a NPTC/LANTRA certificate for chainsaw use and maintenance? The NPTC/LANTRA certificate is required by law for any operative/tree surgeon who uses a chainsaw. Certificates and National Diplomas in Arboriculture are qualifications that may be held by a certified tree surgeon in Chichester.
• Can I assess the quality of your workmanship by contacting a person you've recently worked for? It is generally advisable to do an independent examination of recently completed work.
• Do you supply quotations in writing? Verbal quotes alone are not acceptable. Always try to get a written quote.

Easy to understand details of all the tree work that is to be undertaken must be included on the written quotation. Who is responsible for the removal of tree branches, stumps and debris should be stated, as should information on any trees which might be protected, and the necessary steps to obtain permission to carry out work on them. Double check that VAT has also been included on the quote. You have a responsibility to employ only skilled tradespeople to work on your trees and property, and it is important to understand that fact. This is laid out by the "Common law duty of care responsibilities under the Occupier's Liability Acts of 1957 and 1984."

PRIOR TO WORK - The tree surgeon that you've chosen in Chichester, will look into whether any of your trees are covered by a tree protection order (TPO), and will check with the local authority if the green light for any tree surgery is forthcoming. To ensure the safety of the public, even protected trees need to be maintained so as to cut back old or dead wood, therefore finding that a tree is protected does not mean that you're unable to carry out necessary work.

If your property in Chichester happens to be in a conservation area, the Local Planning Authority (LPA) will require no less than six weeks written notice of any tree work you're planning to do. This notice is not required if the trunk of the tree is under 7.5 centimetres in diameter when measured at 1.5 metres above ground level. Notice is also not required if thinning or pruning of a protected tree's branches is essential in order to promote and sustain growth.

On site they will carry out a complete assessment of your trees and decide on the required remedial treatment and how best and safely to achieve the required outcome. This will involve a full risk assessment of areas that may be affected by falling branches and debris, such as on your property, in public spaces, and on neighbouring properties. At this stage, the level of protection required and the number of workers needed will also be determined. To keep property and the general public safe from damage or harm, this will include both PPE and other safety precautions.

ON THE DAY OF WORK - Safety measures and barriers should be put in place before any climbing, tree felling or cutting of branches commences, to keep unauthorised persons away from the work area. If there is any danger of falling debris onto a public highway, passing traffic may have to be stopped temporarily.

Dependent on the type of work that's required a tree surgeon will need different degrees of protection. When carrying out basic tree work with a chainsaw, to avoid cutting injuries to the legs, torso and hands, they will at the very least be wearing special protective clothing. All workers involved in the operation must wear high visibility clothing, and eye and head protection, at all times.

Extra staff will normally be needed to help with the removal of high branches and heavy sections of tree trunk, particularly if working at height is involved, and where safety climbing equipment and ladders are being deployed. A skip or other method of transporting the waste materials away will be parked as close as possible to the work area, so it's recommended that you inform your next door neighbours of the need for access.

AFTER COMPLETION OF WORK - As soon as the tree work has been finished all the branches and waste will be transported away and the whole site cleared of all debris. Your tree surgeon should then sign off and present you with a certificate of work done, especially when the trees are protected. If any public spaces needed safety measures, this protection will be removed and roads and footpaths will be re-opened.

If you have any issues or problems with the completed work, you should first address them with the tree surgeon in order that they can be put right straight away. If your tree surgeon is a registered member of a professional trade body, and there's any further dispute, you can obtain advice and help from the International Society of Arboriculture or the Arboricultural Association in order to arrive at a satisfactory solution.

Dutch Elm Disease

A fungal disease which has killed off millions of elm trees throughout the United Kingdom during the last 50 years or more, Dutch Elm Disease (Ophiostoma novo-ulmi) isn't quite the concern that it was at one time. Unintentionally imported into the UK from North America (Canada) in the Sixties, Dutch Elm Disease (DED) is spread by the elm bark beetle and caused by the fungus Ophiostoma novo-ulmi.

Its swift spread was mainly down to to elm products such as crates, saplings, mulching bark, and logs with the bark still attached, being transported around the British Isles. Thought to have originated from Asia (probably Japan), Dutch Elm Disease didn't just affect trees in the UK, but also ravaged the stocks of elms in continental Europe, North America and New Zealand.

The signs of DED generally first show up in early summer, and manifest themselves as:

• Shoots that die back from the tip.
• Clusters of leaves turning yellow and wilting.
• A "shepherd's crook" reaction on affected twigs.
• Twigs with spots or rings in cross-section.

The felling of dead, infected and dying trees, has effectively decimated the favourite habitat of the beetle, and in recent years the spread of this disease has been dramatically slowed. The propagation of young elms that are so far resistant to Dutch Elm Disease is a continuing project.

You could put in a request for a diagnosis from the Tree Health Diagnostic and Advisory Service, or you can get in touch with your neighbourhood tree surgeon for guidance and advice, if you have elm trees on your property in Chichester, and have suspicions they may be affected by DED.

Protecting Trees and Shrubs in the Wintertime

While the winter climate is seldom severe enough to justify protecting your shrubs and trees, it is definitely worth considering as a precaution. In fact, even shrubs, trees and plants that we generally consider to be hardy, will benefit from a bit of added protection during the colder winter season.

When you've got trees in your garden in Chichester, it is high winds and storms that cause the biggest concerns, and they might still be at risk even though most of them will have already shed their leaves when winter arrives, thus being less wind resistant. If the weather conditions in Chichester have been windy, and a tree in your garden seems to be damaged or in danger of falling, it's wise to call in a tree surgeon to assess whether any remedial action is required. Trees and tree branches can also suffer problems because of heavy snow, so stay alert for damage in this sort of weather. A deep layer of mulch around the base of shrubs and trees (in particular recently planted ones), can help to keep the roots frost-free and prevent them from becoming dehydrated.

A Tree Surgeons's Day to Day Duties

• Service equipment like chippers and chainsaws.
• Plant trees and vegetation.
• Cut and chip logs and branches.
• Prepare tree survey reports for domestic and commercial customers.
• Tidy area upon completion and remove waste products from customer's site.
• Work with clients and complete administration tasks.
• Assess tree health and treatments.
• Climb trees to prune or remove branches.
• Fell and remove trees and grind stumps.
• Produce on-site or telephone price quotes with the clients.
• Be competent using power tools and other powered equipment.
• Identify dangers presented by trees.

Safety Considerations

The health and safety issue is one of the principal worries when you are doing tree surgery, because if conducted improperly it can definitely be a risky and dangerous procedure. There are various factors that may lead to damage or injury if the "tradespeople" carrying out the project are unqualified or inexperienced. The most prevalent issues are falling timber and branches, neglecting to cordon-off the work area to safeguard vehicles and passers-by, failing to put on cut resistant (chainsaw resistant) apparel (particularly safety boots and trousers), little or no fall protection, in the form of ropes, harnesses and platforms, inadequate head protection and not using hearing or eye protection. What might be vulnerable due to this type of incompetence are stationary and passing vehicles, the tree itself, garden outbuildings and fences, the people living in the property, pedestrians, the tree surgeon (up the tree), the building structure within the property, workers on the ground, facilities on the street.

Removing Tree Stumps Chichester

When you have a tree cut down and removed from your property in Chichester, unless arranged with the tree surgery company, you'll be left with a stump to contend with. You might consider leaving it to rot away entirely naturally, and be happy to leave it as it is. However, stumps left in your garden can produce new suckers in an effort to regrow themselves, and big stumps can take many years to break down, during which time they can be an eyesore, a dangerous trip hazard and the perfect home for harmful pests, fungi and bacteria.

There are various methods for removing a tree stump completely, but stump grinding and stump removal are the 2 key alternatives. Below we will be investigating the stump removal option.

There are in essence 3 main procedures that can be used to get rid of a tree stump - you can burn it, you can chemically treat it or you can dig it out by hand. If you want to have a bash at removing the tree stump for by yourself, you could try any one of these strategies when appropriate. If you are using a tree surgeon in Chichester, they will generally recommend the previously mentioned stump grinding solution.

Tree Stump Burning: Stump burning isn't generally a recommended course of action, and may conflict with local laws, so take care if using this approach. It comprises drilling a few holes in the tree stump and continually filling the holes with vegetable oil and left to sit for aa few days. You can then pile up charcoal around the tree stump and set it alight. However, this must be constantly monitored and not left to its own devices. Make certain that the fire is fully extinguished once it is completely burned out. You'll be able to dig out the burnt stump remains and roots after it has completely cool.

An alternative method is shoveling out all the soil from beneath the stump and lighting a fire in the void created underneath. If the tree stump is near to fences, a building or other trees, you shouldn't ever use any of the stump burning methods.

Digging Out a Stump by Hand: Digging up a tree stump by hand is a relatively self-explanatory procedure, and involves shoveling out out all the earth around the base of the stump, revealing and cutting all the principal roots, and finally freeing up the stump so that it can be lifted out. You might need to use a cable ratchet winch for lifting out the tree stump. This tends to be exhausting and laborious work, and should not be tackled by anybody who is not physically fit and up to the task.

Chemical Stump Killers: Chemical treatment involves the use of a powerful chemical compound such as Resolva Xtra Tough Tree Stump Killer, Vitax SBK Stump Killer or Roundup Tree Stump Remover. Wear gloves and avoid skin contact when utilising any of these chemical solutions, and also avoid inhaling. You must abide by the maker's instructions, for timings, applications and quantities. According to the size of the stump, and whether it is alive or dead when it is treated, it can take several weeks or maybe even months for a tree stump to rot away completely, so consider this to be as a long term rather than a short term resolution. Once rotted, it can be chopped up with an axe and removed with a shovel.

Tree Removal Chichester

Though there are numerous explanations why you might wish to take out a tree from your property or garden in Chichester, the removal of a tree should actually be a last measure. A lot of trees could even be protected, therefore you can't get rid of them even though you would like to, except when they are causing a safety threat. Acceptable triggers for tree removal might be when your tree is diseased/infected, the tree has been damaged by storms, your tree has grown too big for its environment, the tree is in the way of new development, your tree is a safety threat, you've got a dying/dead tree or the roots of a tree are obstructing foundations/retaining walls. (Tags: Removing Trees Chichester, Tree Removal Chichester, Tree Felling Chichester)

Emergency Tree Surgery Chichester

If you've got trees in your Chichester garden, there might be occasions when you need to call an emergency tree surgeon. Chichester tree surgeons expect to receive a huge surge in emergency call-outs when there are storms and high winds, which is why many of them offer a 24/7 service to cater for this eventuality. The chances of injury or damage is increased during windy weather, with branches snapping off and falling to the ground, and sometimes even whole trees toppling over. Prevention is definitely preferable to having to deal with the consequences, and commonplace issues that can be caused by plummeting tree limbs and branches include broken garden furniture, squashed sheds, smashed greenhouses and damaged fences.

There is also a requirement for emergency tree surgery services by the local authorities in Chichester, when railway lines, public walkways and highways get blocked or obstructed by fallen branches and trees.

There could be a need for "re-balancing" a tree, even after emergency tree work has been successfully done, because due to the loss of some branches, there might be a weight distribution problem, which could be hazardous but also aesthetically displeasing. For all of these issues, you should phone a local tree surgeon in Chichester who provides emergency tree surgery services, and they'll handle all of this for you.

Eco-Plugging Stumps Chichester

If you have a large tree stump in your garden which needs to be removed, the customary technique employed by most Chichester tree surgeons is stump grinding. There is however a less expensive alternative to this procedure these days, which is termed "eco-plugging", and this is growing ever more popular. Eco-plugging isn't just cheaper, but it's also handy for use in hard-to-reach locations which are inaccessible to stump grinding equipment.

A highly effective treatment for eliminating tree stumps, eco-plugging has no effect on any nearby trees and vegetation. Eco-plugs destroy the whole root system of the tree stump and can be used at any time of the year and in any weather. Eco-plugs contain a form of crystalline glyphosate herbicide which is suitable for a wide selection of tree species, and is 95% to 100% effective.

Storm Damage Prevention Chichester

To most people, trees seem strong, sturdy and capable of standing up to virtually anything Mother Nature can throw their way. Certain tree species can thrive and survive with no issues for several hundred years, in particular yews, oaks and sweet chestnuts.

Extreme climatic conditions can however cause significant damage, and besides the danger of falling tree limbs or branches, entire trees can fall down in certain situations. Trees have one major weather related enemy, and that is high winds. As violent storms and extreme weather events become more common with climate change, this type of damage will happen much more frequently in Chichester. Extended periods of rain or flooding can cause soil to become saturated, which can cause additional issues for trees, as can heavy snow in the winter.

To trim and remove any dead, dying or overhanging branches that could cause a problem in times of severe weather, it's a good idea to get a certified Chichester tree surgeon to examine your trees fairly regularly.

Copper conductors, lightning rods, or other lightning protection systems are also recommended for bigger trees, to stop them being struck by lightning and to safeguard nearby property and buildings which may be vulnerable to side-flashes ("arcs") that result in further destruction, in addition to damage done to the tree itself. A tree which is struck by lightning can be killed or severely weakened, a weakened tree can be left susceptible to pests, decay or disease. Lightning occurs more frequently than you may believe, and there are around three hundred thousand lightning strikes every year in the UK alone.

Your local Chichester tree surgery firm will be able to offer guidance and advice on what can be done to protect your trees from being damaged by storms, and lower the risk of accidents happening because of this.

Logs/Firewood Chichester

If you're looking for logs or firewood in Chichester, tree surgeons are frequently an excellent source for this useful commodity. This is not really surprising, as tree surgeons spend the majority of their life cutting down branches and trees.

Recently felled branches and logs are frequently available "free to collector" from some Chichester tree surgeons, who are simply happy to get rid of them. Other local tree surgeons, who have enough room to store them, will season and dry the logs and sell them by the bag or tonne, and will often even deliver them to your home.

The perfect logs to burn on your log burning stove or open fire will have a moisture level of less than 20%, and will have been left to dry out for at least 12 months. Tree surgeons in Chichester will typically have supplies of assorted hardwood logs and these are great for a sustained burn which will throw out heat for three or four hours. If you can also get a few softwood logs, these are fantastic for getting a fire started, and onto which you can chuck your hardwood logs once the fire is blazing.

Fundamental Skills for a Tree Surgeon in Chichester

• Have an organised and methodical way of working.
• Be professional and able to complete tasks within a specified time frame.
• Customer service skills.
• Be capable of using, repairing and maintaining machines and tools.
• Have essential computer skills and know how to complete tasks with handheld devices.
• Be alert to the dangers and complexities involved in all aspects of the work.
• Physical skills such as co-ordination and movement.
• Be able to work with your hands.
• Have patience and the ability to stay focused in times of stress.
• The cabability to work happily with others.
• Good knowledge of public safety measures.

Coming Soon:

Stump grinding machines - article 678.

Tree Surgery Tasks Chichester

Chichester tree surgeons will likely help you with drop crotching in Chichester, stump removal, hazard assessment Chichester, arboriculture Chichester, tree management, tree watering, stump treatment, vegetation management, airspading, tree lopping, the removal of dead wood in Chichester, root removal in Chichester, tree fertilising, shrub maintenance, root flare exposure in Chichester, tree felling, tree maintenance, commercial tree surgery, conrolling pests, hedge reduction Chichester, damaged tree cutting and removal, forestry management Chichester, tree shaping, root pruning, dead wooding Chichester, root grinding, fruit tree pruning Chichester, tree reduction, hedge lowering, site clearance in Chichester, tree lightening protection, tree planting in Chichester, tree waste removal in Chichester, professional tree care, tree transplanting and other tree surgeon services in Chichester, West Sussex. Listed are just a few of the activities that are conducted by local tree surgeons. Chichester specialists will be happy to tell you about their entire range of services.

Tree Surgeons Near Chichester: Also find: Goodwood tree surgeons, West Broyle tree surgeons, Stockbridge tree surgeons, Portfield tree surgeons, North Mundham tree surgeons, Whyke tree surgeons, Fishbourne tree surgeons, Tangmere tree surgeons, Runcton tree surgeons, Bosham tree surgeons, Oving tree surgeons, Birdham tree surgeons, Donnington tree surgeons, West Stoke tree surgeons, Fontwell tree surgery and more. All of these locations are served by trained tree surgeons. Chichester home and property owners and others can obtain tree surgery price quotes by clicking here.

(Created with tree surgeons Chichester text version four.)

Tree Surgeon Chichester - Tree Felling Chichester - Vegetation Control West Sussex - Arboriculture Chichester - Tree Management Chichester - Root Removal Chichester - Crown Reduction Chichester - Stump Grinding Chichester - Tree Surgery Chichester