Tree Surgeons Cobham

Employing an unqualified operative for tree work or attempting to do the work by yourself, could harm your trees, cause damage to property, or even lead to injury or death. However, even for professional tree surgeons who are aware of all the risks, tree work is not entirely safe. Tree surgery is definitely not a job for amateurs, and on average there are 3 deaths and 140 severe injuries a year within the profession, making it one of the most hazardous jobs in Britain.

With around 5 people annually being tragically killed by falling branches and trees in the United Kingdom, even a damaged or poorly maintained tree can also present a risk to life. If there is an injury, or damage to property due to you hiring somebody to carry out tree work, you may well be liable to third-party compensation claims due to the consequences of your actions. These are the reasons why it's essential to retain the services of an accredited tree surgeon to do the work on your trees. (The source of the above figures was HSE UK).

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

If there is an issue during the work, or after it has been carried out you are able to get in touch with these industry associations for mediation and for advice and help.

If any tree surgeon who you're unable to find on this directory list offers to provide you with a quotation, you should tactfully decline their offer of work and carry on your search for an accredited contractor. You should try to get a minimum of 3 estimates from different companies in the Cobham area as soon as you are reassured of their qualifications and professional associations. Whilst getting the quotations you should ask the questions below, stating you need to know the answers because of the risks involved with tree work:

• Have you got a NPTC certificate for the use of a chainsaw, and documentary verification of your professional memberships and qualifications? The NPTC/LANTRA certificate is required by law for any tree surgeon using a chainsaw. Qualifications may include City & Guilds Certificates and Diplomas in Arboriculture.
• Would it be possible for me to contact somebody you have recently worked for, so that I can check your tree work? It's recommended that you carry out an independent check of any recent work.
• What level of insurance coverage do you have? As stipulated by the AA and ISA, your tree surgeon should be able to show you an insurance certificate covering a minimum of £5 Million public liability.
• Do you offer written quotations? Verbal quotes alone aren't sufficient. Always try to get a quote in writing.

On the written quotation that you receive, you'll need there to be easy to understand information on all the tree work that's being undertaken. Who's responsible for removing waste, tree branches and stumps should be stated, as should information on any trees which may be protected in law, and the steps needed to obtain permission to work on them. Unless you are a commercial entity, you should also make certain VAT has been included on the quote. You have a responsibility to employ only competent tradespeople to work on your trees and property, and it is important to understand that fact. This is outlined by the "Common law duty of care responsibilities and sometimes liabilities under the Occupier's Liability Acts of 1957 and 1984."

PRIOR TO WORK COMMENCING - The tree surgeon you have selected in Cobham, will be able to investigate whether any of the trees on your property are covered by a tree protection order (TPO), and will check with the local authority if the go-ahead for any tree surgery is forthcoming. Even protected trees need to be maintained so as to cut back old or damaged wood and ensure the safety of the public, so finding a tree has protected status doesn't signify that work can't still be carried out.

If your property in Cobham happens to be in a designated conservation area, the Local Planning Authority (LPA) will need no less than six weeks written notice of any tree work you are intending to do. This only applies to trees with a stem diameter of over 7.5 centimetres in diameter, at a point 1.5 metres above the ground. It is also not necessary to give written notice if a protected tree's branches need pruning or thinning simply to sustain and encourage growth.

After doing a complete assessment of your trees health, your chosen Cobham tree surgeon will determine the necessary remedial treatment and how best to achieve the required outcome in a safe manner. This will involve a risk assessment of any areas that could be affected by falling branches and debris, such as on your property, in public spaces, and on the properties of neighbours. At this stage, the quantity of workers required and the level of protection needed will also be determined. This could include various safety precautions along with PPE to guarantee the safety of the general public and adjacent property.

ON THE DAY OF WORK - To keep unauthorised persons and passers-by away from the area of work, barriers and safety measures will be put in place before any climbing, tree felling or cutting of branches commences. Traffic might need to be halted temporarily if there is a danger of falling debris onto a public highway.

Varying degrees of protection will be necessary for the tree surgeon according to what work needs to be carried out. When carrying out basic tree work with a chainsaw, to avoid injuring the legs, torso and hands, they will as a bare minimum be wearing protective clothing. High-vis clothing, and eye and head protection, should be worn by all workers involved in the operation.

If working at height is involved, associated safety climbing equipment and ladders will have to be used, and extra personnel will be there to help with the safe removal of high branches and heavy pieces of tree trunk. For the removal of waste materials, access to the work site will be needed. So, it is advisable to inform your neighbours, as a skip or other transportation vehicle will need to be stationed as close to the work area as possible while work progresses.

AFTER COMPLETION OF WORK - All of the branches and waste will be transported away and the whole site cleared of all debris, as soon as all of the work has been accomplished. Your tree surgeon should then put together and sign off a certificate of work, a copy of which will be handed to you. This is particularly important where trees with TPOs are concerned. If any public spaces required safety measures, this protection can be removed and highways and footpaths will be re-opened.

If you've got any issues or problems with the completed work, you should first address them with the tree surgeon in order that they can be rectified immediately. If your tree surgeon is a member of a professional trade association, and there is any further dispute or arbitration needed, you can obtain advice and help from the International Society of Arboriculture or the Arboricultural Association so as to reach a satisfactory solution.

Logs/Firewood Cobham

Tree surgeons are often an excellent source for firewood or logs in Cobham, if you happen to be wanting to buy this commodity. Since the majority of their life is spent chopping down trees and branches, it is not at all surprising that many would adopt this as a lucrative sideline.

Some tree surgeons in the Cobham area may be willing to give you branches and logs free of charge, since they've always got an excess of them to get rid of, whilst others will require paying for seasoned and chopped logs which have been dried out and are ready to burn.

Logs which have been dried out for at least twelve months are best for burning on your open fire or log burning stove, and they should preferably have a moisture content of under 20%. Tree surgeons in Cobham will typically have stocks of assorted hardwood logs and these are brilliant for a long, sustained burn that will generate heat for 3 or 4 hours. The disadvantage of hardwood is that it can be quite challenging to get lit, so if you are able to get your hands on a few softwood logs, these are great for getting your fire burning.

Crown Thinning Cobham

The removal of a lot of the lesser branches towards the outer crown of a tree to develop a leaf density that is uniform throughout whilst not altering the size or shape of a tree, is referred to as crown thinning. Such a process is often only done on trees with broad leaves and is to enable more sunlight to pass through, to decrease the tree's wind resistance, to reduce the total weight of the crown of the tree, to lessen the stress put on larger limbs caused by snow, gravity, wind, or ice or to prevent the tree from being uprooted in blustery weather conditions. Crown thinning shouldn't change the overall shape and size of the tree, but needs to produce a uniform thickness of foliage surrounding consistently distributed branches. It should be possible to obtain crown thinning in Fairmile, Thames Ditton, Effingham Junction, Send, Burntcommon, Stoke D'Abernon, Downside, Wisley, Fetcham, Leigh Corner, Send Marsh, and in Cobham.

Tree Care Injuries

As we've already said, tree surgeons in Cobham carry out work that can be quite hazardous. With there being a considerable risk of injuries to both operatives and passers-by, all reasonable precautions should be taken when carrying out work on trees.

According to figures gathered by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), falls from trees, the use of chainsaws, and being hit by a falling branch or tree are responsible for a large majority of fatal and major injuries. The reality is that arborists and tree surgeons are more at risk of serious injury than those involved in construction.

The most accident claims, in relation to insurance, are for falling from ladders, lifting injuries and being struck by objects (cranes, branches, trees, grapple hooks, ropes etc).

When work needs doing on your trees, all this demonstrates the importance of hiring a professional Cobham tree surgeon. Quite often, accidents that occur in the tree care industry are due to unqualified novices attempting work that they are not equipped for, or competent at. Using a reputable and established company which has been operating in the Cobham area for a good few years, is the best way to avoid such problems, and get your tree surgery work done correctly and safely.

Hedge Cutting Cobham

Although tree surgeons in Cobham are largely focused on the care and maintenance of trees they're regularly called in to trim hedges. In particular this is important for conifer hedges such as Leylandii which will often grow too tall for a normal gardener to cope with.

When a hedge is poorly maintained and neglected, it can become overgrown and out of control fairly quickly. Routine clipping is recommended if you don't want a hedge to take over your garden in Cobham, and along with making the hedge stronger and healthier it will also make it more visually appealing.

Neat hedges help to make your whole garden look tidier, and could even add value to your home in Cobham, if you've got plans to sell it.

Leylandii Hedge Removal Cobham

The Leylandii hedge is a commonly chosen option for Cobham householders who desire both quick growth and privacy. Yet, they have the tendency to grow excessively and become challenging to manage. Before removing a Leylandii hedge, it is crucial to think about a few critical factors. The first thing to do is to verify that the hedge is not protected by any legal regulations, 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 qualified tree surgeon to remove both the hedge and its roots safely. After the hedge is removed, it's important to dispose of the waste in a way that is environmentally sound and responsible. In summary, removing a Leylandii hedge can be a perilous and time-intensive undertaking, necessitating the adoption of appropriate precautions and the possible enlistment of expert assistance.

Protecting Trees & Shrubs in the Wintertime

Whilst you may not feel that the weather in Cobham is harsh enough to justify protecting your trees and shrubs, it may be a good idea to take another look at this. Even the shrubs, trees and plants that we usually think of as hardy, can find the winter season hard to endure, especially during the colder months, and they will invariably benefit from some TLC and extra protection.

Storms and strong winds can be the biggest problem when trees are involved, and although most of your trees will have shed all their leaves come winter, they may still be susceptible in severe conditions. If a tree on your property has been affected by wind, or is swaying and at risk of falling, a tree surgeon must be contacted to conduct an inspection. You can also have problems with trees due to heavy snowfall, therefore when this kind of weather is anticipated, be on the lookout for potential damage. A thick layer of mulch round the base of trees and shrubs (particularly recently planted ones), can help to keep the roots frost-free and stop them from becoming dehydrated.

A Tree Surgeons's Everyday Tasks

• Climb trees to prune or remove branches.
• Chip and cut logs and branches.
• Prepare telephone or on-site quotations for customers.
• Fell and remove trees and perform stump grinding.
• Evaluate the health of trees and create treatment plan.
• Work with customers and complete admin duties.
• Tidy up work area on completion and fulfil removal of waste product from customer's site.
• Maintain and service equipment like chainsaws and chippers.
• Identify hazards presented by trees.
• Produce tree survey reports for domestic and commercial customers.
• Plant trees and vegetation.
• Be competent using power tools and machinery.

Coming Soon:

Stump grinding machines - article 678.

Tree Surgery Tasks Cobham

Cobham tree surgeons can usually help with tree surveys, woodchipping, tree cutting, root removal, hedge laying in Cobham, root decompaction, waste removal Cobham, hazard assessments, emergency tree removal, shrub maintenance, eco-plugging Cobham, woodland management, tree reduction, site clearance, tree bracing, airspading, pollarding in Cobham, stump grinding, brush cutting, health inspections Cobham, dead wooding in Cobham, tree pest management, dead-wooding Cobham, tree management, tree replanting, tree reshaping, retrenchment pruning, tree staking in Cobham, formative pruning in Cobham, tree felling, tree maintenance, the protection of trees from grazing, tree dismantling in Cobham, tree waste removal, crown lifting and other tree surgeon services in Cobham, Surrey. Listed are just a small portion of the tasks that are handled by local tree surgeons. Cobham professionals will be happy to tell you about their whole range of services.

Tree Surgeons Near Cobham: Also find: Burntcommon tree surgeons, Fetcham tree surgeons, Wisley tree surgeons, Leigh Corner tree surgeons, Downside tree surgeons, Send Marsh tree surgeons, Stoke D'Abernon tree surgeons, Send tree surgeons, Effingham Junction tree surgeons, Thames Ditton tree surgeons, Fairmile tree surgery and more. Most of these villages and towns are served by experienced tree surgeons. Cobham business and home owners and others can get tree surgery quotes by going here.

(Created with tree surgeons Cobham text version four.)

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