Tree Surgeons Cradley Heath

Those who hire an unqualified person, or attempt to do tree work themselves, may cause a risk of damage to property, the trees or to life. However, even for qualified tree surgeons who are aware of all the risks, tree work is not entirely safe. Tree surgery is definitely not a task for amateurs, and on average there are three deaths and a hundred and forty major injuries each year within the profession, making it one of the most dangerous jobs in the UK.

With around 5 people per year being killed by falling branches and trees in the UK, even a damaged or neglected tree can also be a danger to life. If you employ somebody to do tree work and there is an injury, or damage to property, you could be liable to third-party compensation claims. These are merely some of the reasons why employing a certified Cradley Heath tree surgeon to work on your trees is essential. (The source of the above figures was HSE).

A qualified Cradley Heath tree surgeon will likely be a registered member of one or both of the two major professional arboricultural bodies. You can view the membership and professional status of any Cradley Heath tree surgeon on the websites of either the Arboricultural Association (AA) or the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). To determine whether any specific tree surgeon has Approved ARB Contractor status and has membership of either of these two associations, you can do a search on this website.

If an issue develops during the work, or after it has been carried out you'll be able to get hold of these trade organisations for mediation and for help and guidance.

If a tree surgeon who you cannot find on this directory offers to provide you with a quotation, you are advised to carry on with your search for an approved and qualified contractor, and tactfully decline their offer. As soon as you have reassured yourself of their accreditations and professional memberships you should try to get a minimum of 3 different quotations from various companies in and around Cradley Heath. There are a number of important questions that you should ask whilst you are obtaining the quotes, and because of the risks involved in the work, you must tell them that you need to know the answers. You should for example ask:

• Do you supply written quotations? Verbal quotes alone aren't satisfactory. Always try to get a written quote.
• How much insurance cover do you provide? Your tree surgeon ought to be able to show you an insurance certificate covering a minimum of five million pounds public liability, as recommended by the AA and ISA.
• Can I contact a recent person you have worked for so that I can inspect the quality of your work? It's recommended that you carry out an independent check of any recent work.
• Can you provide a NPTC certificate for chainsaw use and maintenance, and documentary verification of your professional memberships and qualifications? It's required by law that any worker/tree surgeon who uses a chainsaw must hold a NPTC/LANTRA certificate. A trained tree surgeon in Cradley Heath might hold City and Guilds Diplomas and Certificates in Arboriculture.

The written quotation that you're provided with must include clear and accurate information on the proposed work. It should include information on any trees which may be protected, and the required steps to obtain permission to carry out work on them, and also state whose responsibility it is to remove tree branches, stumps and waste. Verify that they have also included VAT on the quote. You've got a responsibility for employing only skilled people to work on your trees and property, and it is crucial to understand that. This is stated by the "Common law duty of care responsibilities under the Occupier's Liability Acts of 1957 and 1984."

PRIOR TO WORK COMMENCING - The tree surgeon that you've selected in Cradley Heath, will look into whether any of the trees on your property are subject to a tree protection order (TPO), and will check with the local authority if the green light for any tree work is forthcoming. Even protected trees require maintenance so as to cut back dead or dying wood and ensure the safety of the public, so discovering that a tree has protected status doesn't mean that work can't still be carried out.

A minimum of 6 weeks written notice must be given to the Local Planning Authority (LPA) before any tree work can be undertaken, if your property in Cradley Heath is in a conservation area. This notice is not required if the tree trunk is less than 75mm in diameter when measured at 1.5 metres above the ground. If the branches of a protected tree need to be pruned or thinned to sustain and encourage growth, it is also not necessary to give written notice.

After fully assessing the health of the trees on your property, your Cradley Heath tree surgeon will decide on the necessary treatments and how the required outcome can safely be accomplished. Where there's any chance of falling branches, a risk assessment will need to be done on your property, public areas, and parts of a neighbour's property that could be affected. At this point, the level of protection needed and the amount of workforce required will also be determined. This is both PPE (personal protective equipment) as well as other safety precautions to keep the public and other property safe from damage or harm.

ON THE DAY OF WORK - To keep unauthorised persons away from the area of work, safety measures and barriers will be put in place before any tree felling, cutting of branches or climbing begins. Traffic may have to be temporarily halted if there's any threat of falling debris into a public highway.

Varying levels of protection will be necessary for the tree surgeon according to what work needs to be performed. At the very least when doing chainsaw work they will be wearing specialist protective clothing to prevent cutting injuries to the hands, legs and torso. Without exception, every operative involved in the work should wear head and eye protection, and high-vis clothing.

If working at height is involved, ladders and associated climbing equipment will have to be deployed, and additional workforce will be there to assist in the safe removal of high branches and large pieces of tree trunk. For hauling waste materials away from the work area, a skip or truck will be parked as close as possible to the area. This requirement for easy access is a good reason to inform your next door neighbours of the work.

UPON COMPLETION OF WORK - The site can be cleared of all debris, and all the branches and waste can be taken away, after all of the work has been finished. Particularly where the trees are under a protection order, a certificate of work will then be created by your tree surgeon, which will be signed off and a copy given to you. If there were any public spaces that required safety measures, this protection will be removed and roads and pathways will be re-opened.

If you have any complaints about the completed work, you should get them fixed immediately by firstly speaking to the tree surgeon. If your tree surgeon is a member of a trade body, and any further arbitration is needed, you can obtain advice and help from the Arboricultural Association or the International Society of Arboriculture in order to come to an acceptable solution.

Skills Necessary for a Tree Surgeon in Cradley Heath

• Have the ability to use, repair and maintain tools and equipment.
• Have the ability to work well with your hands.
• Have essential computer skills and know how to perform tasks on handheld devices.
• Have a methodical working approach.
• Be alert to the dangers and complexities involved with the various areas of the work.
• Have a good understanding of public safety measures.
• Have patience and the ability to remain focused in times of stress.
• The capacity to work happily with others.
• Physical skills such as co-ordination and movement.
• Excellent customer skills.
• Be professional and capable of completing tasks within a given period.

Tree Surveys Cradley Heath

There are a number of instances where a tree survey may be necessary, land development and property extension being the most common. If you happen to be clearing a piece of land to make room for a new home or an extension to an existing property in Cradley Heath, for instance, you may need to conduct a professional tree survey to BS5837 British Standards if there are trees on that land. Tree surveys on both private and public property should be undertaken by a certified tree surgeon or tree surveyor in Cradley Heath.

A broad range of information will be produced about all of the trees within the specified area. For instance:

• The species of trees on the site.
• The height of each tree.
• The physiological and structural health of the trees.
• Guidelines for tree management.
• The diameter of each tree (measured 1.5m above the ground).
• The allocation of a unique tree reference number for every tree.
• The age of the trees (i.e. young, semi-mature, mature, over-mature and veteran).
• The number of trees.
• The existence of any TPOs.
• The branch spread to the East, North, West and South.
• The predicted life expectancy of the trees.

If you happen to be doing work on an existing property or home in Cradley Heath but you aren't changing the property's footprint and are not changing the access points or service lines, a tree survey will most likely not be required.

Tree Root Problems Cradley Heath

Some larger trees have got particularly invasive roots, and might cause issues when they are growing too close to your dwelling in Cradley Heath. Problems that may develop include blocked drains, cracked patios and damaged foundations. Very invasive roots are found in species like elms, sycamores, willows and maples.

Challenges can be averted down the line, if you make sure you plant any new trees as far as possible away from your house, pathways, your sewerage system and patio areas. If pre-existing trees are growing too near to your dwelling and are causing some of these problems, you must contact a tree surgeon in Cradley Heath, to see what can be done.

This isn't really the type of task that you should attempt to do by yourself, and just hacking off the offending roots could kill the tree or severely affect it's health in the future. Understanding which roots can be cut back, and which roots should be left in place is the domain of the expert, and a professional Cradley Heath tree care specialist will ensure the tree is still able to get ample food and water to survive.

Because sewage lines provide a steady source of nutrients and water, tree and shrub roots frequently cause structural issues in subterranean drainage systems. A drainage system's joints can very soon be invaded by minute roots, which when established can grow into large root balls and ultimately cause blockages and joint failure. Many Cradley Heath tree surgeons will provide specialised root removal services, which will either include using manual rod clearance, mechanical equipment or high pressure water jetting. You should also be able to obtain root removal services in Baptist End, Coombeswood, Old Hill, Quarry Bank, Cradley, Wollescote, Lye, Darby End, Netherton, Primrose Hill, Belle Vale, Haden Cross, and in Cradley Heath itself. (Tags: Tree Root Problems Cradley Heath, Invasive Tree Roots Cradley Heath, Problematic Tree Roots Cradley Heath, Drain Root Removal Cradley Heath).

Storm Damaged Trees Cradley Heath

When you look at a sturdy, strong tree standing tall and proud in your garden it's hard to imagine it ever falling to the ground. Some tree species can thrive and survive with no issues for hundreds of years, in particular yews, sweet chestnuts and oaks.

However, when faced with a certain set of conditions they can be extremely vulnerable to the elements, and it is not only falling branches or limbs that can be the result, but the whole tree can fall over in extreme circumstances. The primary weather related enemy of trees is wind, and as the frequency of severe weather events and storms in Cradley Heath escalates because of climate change, this form of damage is becoming more and more common. Extended periods of rain or flooding will cause soil to become waterlogged, which is another problem for large trees, as is heavy snowfall in the winter.

It is advisable to get a qualified Cradley Heath tree surgeon to check out your trees to lessen the chance of problems with your trees in severe weather conditions, they'll prune and remove any dead, dying or overhanging branches that might be an issue.

It's also recommended to fit larger trees with lightning rods, copper conductors, or other lightning protection systems, to stop them being struck by lightning, and to safeguard nearby property and buildings which could be affected by side-flashes ("arcs"). A tree that is struck by lightning can be severely weakened or even killed, a weakened tree can be left vulnerable to disease, decay or pests - not a happy situation! You may not believe that lightning strikes are all that common, yet in the UK alone there are something like three hundred thousand lightning strikes every year.

Ask your local Cradley Heath tree surgery firm what can be done to protect your trees from being damaged by storms and lessen the chances of major consequences should an unstable tree topple over due to extreme weather.

The International Society of Arboriculture

An international, non-profit organisation that is headquartered in the States, the International Society of Arboriculture is often referred to just as the ISA. Nurturing the professional practice of arboriculture, the ISA is a membership association that serves the tree care industry all around the world.

Promoting best tree care practices, and focused on education, technology and research, the ISA provides educational publications, services and events fully develop the knowledge, skills and arboricultural expertise of individuals in the tree care sector.

A partnership agreement signed in 2016 between the International Society of Arboriculture and the United Kingdom's Arboricultural Association, meant that the AA became an associate organisation of the ISA. The relationship between the two bodies was consequently strengthened, and further opportunities opened up for Great Britain and Ireland ISA members. Arboricultural Association members in Great Britain and Ireland now benefit from being part of a network of tree care professionals from all over the world. With associate organisations and professional affiliates in New Zealand, Europe, Asia, Australia, South Africa, and the UK, the International Society of Arboriculture now has over 22,000 members internationally.

Removal of Tree Stumps Cradley Heath

If you are in a position where you have to have a big tree chopped down and removed from your property in Cradley Heath, you're perhaps going to be left with a stump, which will also have to be tackled. Now, in certain situations you may be perfectly happy to leave the stump in place and let it decay and rot away entirely naturally. However, stumps in your garden can produce new suckers in an effort to regrow, and big stumps can take a number of years to break down, during which time they can become an eyesore, a dangerous trip hazard and the perfect hiding place for unwelcome bacteria, fungi and pests.

There are a number of ways by which a large stump can be removed, if you determine that this is the preferred thing to do, but the two main alternatives are stump removal or stump grinding. In the following paragraphs we will be considering the removal alternative rather than stump grinding.

There are in essence 3 methods of getting rid of a tree stump - digging out by hand, chemical treatments and burning. If your intention is to undertake the tree stump removal on your own, any of these tactics could be an option. Professional tree surgeons will most often go with the aforementioned stump grinding solution, but might suggest a chemical removal treatment like eco-plugging.

Digging Out by Hand: Digging out a tree stump by hand calls for a few tools such as a handsaw, a pointed shovel, loppers and a chainsaw. It involves digging down to expose the roots, chopping the roots with a saw or loppers, and finally releasing the stump, or making it easier to get out. Some sort of cable ratchet winch could be needed for the final lifting out process. This is exhausting and tedious work.

Burning a Tree Stump: Burning a stump is not generally a recommended course of action, and may conflict with local laws, so take great care if using this approach. The burning procedure involves drilling out several 25mm holes in the tree stump, filling keeping them topped up with vegetable oil for a few days until saturated. You can then cover the tree stump with charcoal or logs and set it alight. But, this must be checked constantly and never left unwatched. As soon as the burning process has finished, you should make sure that the fire is put out, when it has completely cooled down you can dig out and clear away the burnt remains of stump and roots.

This isn't the only method of burning a tree stump, you could also try digging out all the soil from under the stump and building a fire in the void that has been created beneath. None of these burning techniques should even be considered if the stump is near to buildings, fences or other trees.

Chemical Stump Removers: A strong chemical mixture such as Roundup Tree Stump Remover, Vitax SBK Stump Killer or Resolva Xtra Tough Tree Stump Killer, will be required if you elect to go down the chemical treatment route. It is vital that you follow the directions to the letter when utilising any of these chemical substances, because they can be very toxic and dangerous. Depending on the dimensions of your stump, and if it's alive or dead when it is treated, it can take quite a few weeks or perhaps even months for a tree stump to rot entirely, so regard this as a long term resolution. Once decayed, an axe can be used to chop it up and a spade for removal.

Cable Bracing Cradley Heath

A technique which is employed to support a tree when it is showing signs of decay or damage or is a risk to nearby property or persons, cable bracing can be really beneficial in the right situation. This strategy is often used on older or valuable trees in Cradley Heath, where the felling or removal of large unsafe portions must be avoided for aesthetic or other reasons.

A cable bracing set-up could be useful for supporting any defective joints, V-shaped forks and weak limbs that may be an issue. Carrying out different kinds of bracing work, a competent tree care specialist will be able to use rods and cables to help mitigate structural tension, and hopefully extend the life of specimen trees in Cradley Heath.

The purpose of cable bracing is to offer a non-invasive method of support which doesn't cause additional damage to the tree by having to drill and bolt the branches, and one that is is shock-absorbing and flexible. To ensure the safety of the tree and surrounding areas, a thorough risk assessment should be completed before any actual work can begin.

Dead-Wooding Cradley Heath

Dead-wooding is an important part of tree care and upkeep, and all professional Cradley Heath tree surgeons will carry out this procedure where necessary. When there's a risk of dying or dead branches falling on buildings, vehicles or passers-by, dead-wooding will be undertaken to carefully remove the offending limbs. There could be a number of reasons why a tree's branches die, the most typical being light deficiency, disease, pest attacks or damaged roots.

The rationale for dead-wooding is most often one of safety, however, it's also sometimes done to benefit the tree of simply to make it look more appealing. Insect infestation and disease can be attracted by an excessive number of dying, damaged and dead branches, therefore the tree's health can be greatly improved by removing those dead branches. Dead wood also makes a tree look ugly, and by removing much of this you can make it more attractive.

Normally only the largest dead branches will be cut out, because smaller ones pose very little risk. Having said that, any dead wood that is in excess of 50 millimetres in diameter might need to be removed in locations where a tree hangs over a park, a garden, a road, a public area or a dwelling in Cradley Heath. (Tags: Deadwooding Cradley Heath, Deadwooding Trees Cradley Heath, Dead-Wooding Surgery Cradley Heath, Dead-Wooding Cradley Heath).

Air-Spading Cradley Heath

When a tree's health is causing you some concerns, this could be due to a number of problems, but it is quite frequently because of issues with the root system. A local Cradley Heath tree surgeon might need to access a tree's roots to check for root rot, soil compaction, or other problems.

Because there's a high probability of damaging the roots during the process of digging, in the past this was a tricky thing to achieve. The method that some modern day tree surgeons use is known as "air spading", whereby compressed air is used to break up and clear away compressed soil without causing damage to tree roots or utility lines.

The soil surrounding tree roots can become compacted by construction work, passing vehicles or heavy foot traffic, and this can have a negative effect on the health of a tree. When a tree becomes "stressed" it is more vulnerable to attack by disease, pests and insects, and this stress can be caused by a lack of water and nutrients. Also great for solving root flare issues, air-spading can be employed to clear away the excess soil from the base of a tree which has become covered, increasing the possibility of root rot.

Involving the use of an air compressor and an air-spade, this process directs air into the soil at high speed (twelve hundred miles per hour), this breaks it up by entering any voids present in the soil, but has no effect on the tree roots or utilities. As the surrounding soil is forced away from the tree's roots by the powerful air flow, immediate inspection can be accomplished. A solution can then be implemented for any issues, and the soil replaced with a looser layer of wood chips and fertiliser to help encourage the tree to rejuvenate. (Tags: Air-Spade Cradley Heath, Air-Spade Investigations Cradley Heath, Air-Spading Cradley Heath).

Coming Soon:

Stump grinding machines - article 678.

Tree Surgery Tasks Cradley Heath

Cradley Heath tree surgeons can normally help you with root removal, landscape clearing Cradley Heath, woodland management, crown raising, retrenchment pruning, tree pruning, dead wood removal, tree maintenance in Cradley Heath, tree care, dead wooding, air spading Cradley Heath, tree health monitoring, tree transplanting, shrub maintenance, hedge laying, hedge trimming, tree management, woodland clearance in Cradley Heath, repair of storm damaged trees in Cradley Heath, crown lifting, arboriculture, tree cutting Cradley Heath, root pruning, pollarding, tree surveys Cradley Heath, site clearance, root grinding, woodchipping Cradley Heath, tree bracing, damage restoration Cradley Heath, cut sealing, emergency tree surgery, waste removal in Cradley Heath, tree fertilising, crown reduction in Cradley Heath and other tree surgeon services in Cradley Heath, West Midlands. These are just a selection of the tasks that are undertaken by local tree surgeons. Cradley Heath providers will be happy to inform you of their whole range of services.

Tree Surgeons Near Cradley Heath: Also find: Netherton tree surgeons, Haden Cross tree surgeons, Darby End tree surgeons, Wollescote tree surgeons, Old Hill tree surgeons, Baptist End tree surgeons, Cradley tree surgeons, Primrose Hill tree surgeons, Belle Vale tree surgeons, Coombeswood tree surgeons, Quarry Bank tree surgeons, Lye tree surgery and more. The majority of these areas are serviced by trained tree surgeons. Cradley Heath residents can obtain estimates by going here.

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