Tree Surgeons Epping

Folks in Epping who attempt to do tree work by themselves, or by using unqualified personnel may risk causing damage to property, the trees or to life. But even hiring a seasoned tree surgeon who is aware of all the risks does not mean that tree work is safe. Tree surgery is certainly not a task for amateurs, and on average there are 3 deaths and 140 major injuries per year within the industry, making it among the most dangerous jobs in the UK.

A poorly maintained or damaged tree can also cause a risk to life, with around 5 people annually being tragically killed by falling branches and trees in Britain. You may be liable to third-party compensation claims as a consequence of your actions, if you bring in somebody to perform tree work and subsequently property is damaged, or an injury occurs. These are merely a few of the reasons why using the services of a professional Epping tree surgeon to do the work on your trees is very important. (Figures sourced from HSE).

FINDING A TREE SURGEON IN EPPING - There are two principal professional industry bodies, one or both of which a qualified Epping tree surgeon should be an approved member of. Both the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and the Arboricultural Association (AA) offers a website where you can check out the professional standing and membership of any tree surgeon in Epping. This webpage allows you to check whether any specific local tree surgeon has recognised Approved ARB Contractor status, and has membership of either of these two organisations.

If an issue crops up during the course of the work, or after it has been concluded you will be able to contact these industry organisations for mediation assistance and for help and advice.

If anybody who you're unable to find on this directory offers to provide you with a quote, you should tactfully decline their offer of work and find an approved contractor. It's a good idea to get at least 3 estimates from different companies in the Epping area, once you have thoroughly checked their accreditations and professional associations. There are a number of crucial questions that you should ask whilst you are obtaining these quotes, and due to the risks involved in the work, you should make it abundantly clear that you really need the answers. You should for instance ask:

• Can you offer me a written quotation? You should NEVER accept just a verbal quote. Only ever accept a quote in writing.
• What level of insurance cover do you have? As recommended by the AA and ISA, your tree surgeon ought to be able to produce a certificate covering at least five million pounds public liability insurance.
• Can I assess the quality of your work by contacting a person you've worked for recently? It is advisable to perform an independent examination of any recent work.
• Can you show a NPTC/LANTRA certificate for chainsaw use, and documentary evidence of your qualifications and professional memberships? The NPTC/LANTRA is a required certificate in law for any tree surgeon using a chainsaw. Certificates and National Diplomas in Arboriculture are qualifications that may be held by an experienced Epping tree surgeon.

Clear and accurate details about all the work that's to be undertaken should be included on the written quote. Who's responsible for removing waste, tree branches and stumps should be stated, as should specifics of any trees which might be protected, and the required steps to get permission to work on them. You should also make certain VAT has been included on the quote unless you are a commercial enterprise. It's extremely important that only competent tradespeople are hired to work on your trees and property, and this is entirely your responsibility.

PRIOR TO WORK - The tree surgeon that you have selected in Epping, will be able to look into whether any of the trees on your property are subject to a protection order, and will check with the local authority if the green light for any work is possible. Finding a tree has protected status doesn't signify that work cannot be carried out, because even protected trees need to be maintained in order to cut back dead or dying wood and ensure the safety of the public.

If your property in Epping is within a conservation area then a minimum of six weeks written notice must be given to the Local Planning Authority prior to any work being carried out. This is only required for trees with a stem diameter of more than 75 millimetres in diameter, at a point 1.5 metres above ground level. Also, if a protected tree's branches need to be thinned or pruned in order to sustain and promote growth, written notice will not be necessary.

After fully assessing the health of your trees, your chosen Epping tree surgeon will decide on the appropriate treatments and how the required outcome can best be accomplished. Where there's any chance of falling debris and branches, a risk assessment will need to be performed on public areas, your property, and parts of neighbouring properties that might be affected. The level of protection needed and the number of workers required, will also be determined at this stage. To keep the public and other property safe from harm or damage, this will include both PPE and other safety precautions.

ON THE DAY OF WORK - Before any cutting of branches, tree felling or climbing begins, safety measures and barriers will be put in place to keep unauthorised persons away from the work area. Passing traffic might have to be halted temporarily if there is any threat of debris falling into a public road.

The tree surgeon will need varying degrees of protection based on the kind of tree work being carried out. When doing chainsaw work, they will at the very least be wearing specialist protective clothing to prevent cutting injuries to the legs, torso and hands. Without exception, every operative involved in the work should wear head and eye protection, and hi-vis clothing.

If any working at height is involved, climbing equipment and ladders will have to be used, and additional workers will be on hand to help with the removal of high branches and large sections of tree trunk. A pickup truck or skip for removing the waste will be parked as close to the work area as possible, so it's advisable to inform your neighbours of the need for access.

AFTER COMPLETION OF WORK - All of the waste and branches will be hauled away and the area cleared of any debris, once all tree work has been finished. Your tree surgeon will then prepare and sign off a certificate of work, a copy of which will be presented to you. This is particularly important where protected trees are involved. If any safety measures were put in public spaces they can now be removed, with footpaths and roads being re-opened to the public.

If you have any problems or issues with the completed work, you should first address them with your tree surgeon in order that they can be put right straight away. If there is any further dispute or arbitration required, and your tree surgeon is a signed up member of a professional trade body, you can receive advice and help from the ISA or AA in order to arrive at an acceptable conclusion.

Daily Duties of a Tree Surgeon

• Chip and cut branches and logs.
• Fell and remove trees and perform stump grinding.
• Be competent using power tools and equipment.
• Evaluate the health of trees and create treatment plans.
• Tree planting and transplanting.
• Service equipment like chainsaws and wood chippers.
• Identify dangers presented by trees.
• Produce tree survey reports for commercial and domestic customers.
• Climb trees to prune or remove branches as required.
• Produce telephone or on-site quotations for customers.
• Deal with customers and complete administrative tasks.
• Tidy work area upon completion and remove waste from customer's site.

Eco-Plugging Stumps Epping

If you wish to remove a large tree stump or stumps from your property in Epping, the traditional procedure used by most local tree surgeons is known as stump grinding, which involves the use of large specialist machines. However, these days "eco-plugging" is is becoming more popular as a less expensive alternative to this technique. Eco-plugging is not just less expensive, but it is also useful for use in hard-to-reach locations that are largely inaccessible to stump grinding machines.

For killing off tree stumps without affecting the surrounding trees and vegetation, eco-plugging is a highly effective treatment. Eco-plugs eliminate the tree stump by killing off the entire root system, and can be employed in all weather conditions, and throughout the year. Effective for use on a wide range of trees, eco-plugs are 95% to 100% effective and contain a type of crystalline glyphosate herbicide. (Tags: Eco-Plugging Epping, Eco-Plug Stump Treatment Epping, Eco-Plugging Tree Stumps Epping, Eco-Plugs Epping).

Storm Damage Prevention Epping

Although we are all conscious of the power of Mother Nature, large trees seem sturdy, strong and able to withstand virtually any eventuality. The lifespan of most trees far eclipses that of animals or humans, and in actual fact certain types such as yews, oaks and sweet chestnuts can live for hundreds (even thousands) of years.

Severe climatic conditions can however cause significant damage to trees, and along with the ever present danger of falling branches and limbs, trees can even fall over completely in certain situations. The main weather related issue for trees is wind, and as the number of violent storms and weather events in Epping increases because of climate change, this kind of damage has become more common. Floods or prolonged periods of rainfall can cause soil to become waterlogged, which can cause further issues for trees, as can heavy snow during wintertime.

So as to be ready for any issues that may arise during times of severe weather, it's a good idea to have a certified Epping tree surgeon trim and remove any dead or overhanging branches, and check for any additional issues.

Lightning rods, copper conductors, or other lightning protection systems are also recommended for bigger trees, to prevent them being struck by lightning and to safeguard nearby buildings and property which may be vulnerable to side-flashes ("jumps") that can cause further damage, in addition to harm done to the tree itself. A tree can be killed or seriously weakened by a lightning strike, and even when the effect isn't immediately conspicuous, the tree will likely be more susceptible to attacks by pests and diseases. You may not feel that lightning strikes are that common, however in the UK there are around 300,000 strikes each year.

If you are concerned about the possibility of your trees in Epping being damaged by storms, you should ask your local tree care specialist what they can do to safeguard them, and lower the risk of mishaps occurring.

Accidents Through Tree Surgery

As we have already said, tree care professionals in Epping carry out work that can be very dangerous. Most tree work involves a high risk of injury to both operatives and passers-by, therefore all possible safety measures should be taken when working on trees.

As stated by the HSE (Health & Safety Executive), the vast majority of serious and fatal injuries are linked to the use of chainsaws, falls from trees, and being struck by a falling tree or branch. In fact, the risk of sustaining a serious injury is higher in tree care work than it is for those in the construction sector.

According to insurance company sources, being struck by objects (ropes, trees, cranes, grapple hooks, branches etc), lifting injuries and slipping from ladders, are the most common accidents for which claims are filed.

This should all help you understand why it is so crucial to employ a certified tree surgeon in Epping. Quite often, accidents that happen in the tree care sector are down to untrained novices attempting tree work that they're not equipped for, or skilled at. Using a trustworthy and experienced company which has been trading in the Epping area for a number of years, is the most effective way to avoid such problems, and get your tree care work done safely and correctly.

Dutch Elm Disease

Devastating tree stocks and killing tens of millons of precious elm trees right through the UK during the last 50 years or so, Dutch Elm Disease (Ophiostoma novo-ulmi) is not so common now, as it was previously. Accidentally introduced into Great Britain from Canada in the 1960's, DED (Dutch Elm Disease) is spread by the elm bark beetle and caused by the Ophiostoma novo-ulmi fungus.

After its arrival, it spread swiftly through the transportation of elm products such as bark mulch, crates, saplings, and logs with the bark on. Thought to have originated from Asia (possibly Japan), DED didn't just affect trees in the British Isles, but also destroyed elm stocks in mainland Europe and North America.

The symptoms of Dutch Elm disease typically show up first in early summer, and manifest themselves as:

• Dark streaks under the bark of twigs.
• New shoots that die back from the tips.
• Twigs that turn into a "shepherd's crook" shape.
• Clusters of leaves turning yellow and wilting.

As a consequence of disease and the subsequent chopping down of dead, infected and dying trees, there are not many large elms remaining in the British countryside, and thus the spread has slowed and the beetle's favourite habitat largely decimated. The propagation of young trees that are resistant to DED is an ongoing project.

You can speak to your local tree surgeon for advice and guidance, if you have suspicions you may have affected elm trees on your property in Epping, or you can put in a request for a diagnosis from the Tree Health Diagnostic & Advisory Service, for which there is a charge.

Trees affected - Ulmus and Zelkova.

Agent of spread - small beetles of the Scolytus genera.

Cause - fungi Ophiostoma Novo-Ulmi and Ophiostoma Ulmi.

Fundamental Skills for a Tree Surgeon in Epping

• Physical skills like co-ordination and movement.
• Excellent customer skills.
• The cabability to work alongside other people.
• Patience and the ability to remain focused in stressful circumstances.
• Have the ability to repair, maintain and use machinery and tools.
• To be able to perform common tasks on a computer or hand-held device.
• Have a methodical and organised working approach.
• Be able to work well with your hands.
• Have a good understanding of public safety.
• Be alert to the dangers and complexities involved with the various aspects of the work.
• Be professional and able to complete work within the set time frame.

Coming Soon:

Stump grinding machines - article 678.

Tree Surgery Tasks Epping

Epping tree surgeons can normally help you with tree felling in Epping, repair of storm damaged trees, dead wood removal, tree bracing Epping, site clearance, hazard assessments, tree transplanting, shrub maintenance, arboriculture, crown thinning in Epping, woodland clearance, pest management, tree management, tree removal, fruit tree pruning, vegetation management, tree waste removal, safety inspections Epping, tree care Epping, hedge laying, residential tree surgery, stump grinding, woodchipping, damaged tree removal, eco-plugging, damage restoration Epping, tree planning, woodland management, commercial tree surgery Epping, landscape clearance, hedge trimming, cabling, tree work in Epping, tree fertilising in Epping, root decompaction and other tree surgeon services in Epping, Essex. Listed are just a handful of the activities that are undertaken by tree surgeons. Epping companies will let you know their full range of services.

More Epping Trades: Obviously, whenever you are having tree surgery done in Epping, Essex, you'll probably be in need of other garden related services, and as well as a tree surgeon in Epping, Essex, you could additionally need driveways in Epping, soil drainage services in Epping, patio layers in Epping, weeding in Epping, garden planning and design in Epping, garden shed installation in Epping, waste removal in Epping, hedge clipping in Epping, garden clearances in Epping, artificial grass installation in Epping, local SKIP HIRE in Epping, hard landscaping in Epping, grass cutting in Epping, gate installers in Epping, pond installers in Epping, decking installers in Epping, and other different Epping tradespeople.

Tree Surgeons Near Epping: Also find: Coopersale Street tree surgeons, Abridge tree surgeons, Coopersale tree surgeons, Collier's Hatch tree surgeons, Thornwood tree surgeons, Nazeing tree surgeons, Moreton tree surgeons, Hobbs Cross tree surgeons, Tawney Common tree surgeons, Bobbingworth tree surgeons, Fiddlers Hamlet tree surgeons, Epping Green tree surgery and more. All these locations are covered by tree surgeons. Epping home and business owners and others can get price quotes by clicking here.

(Sourced from tree surgeons Epping text version four.)

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