Tree Surgeons Fordham

Playing an important role in the general care and maintenance of trees, tree surgeons provide their expert services for both domestic and commercial clients in the Fordham area. A trained tree surgeon in Fordham will provide tree felling and removal, the safe planting of trees, inspections and hazard assessments, the pruning of weak, dead or intruding branches, together with general tree care, to name just a few examples.

However, it's not just trees that a tree surgeon will work on. A tree surgeon in Fordham will undertake other duties, such as stump removal, hedge maintenance, care and pruning. Since they'll be able to examine your tree, prepare a report on possible hazards, and give you advice on the best way to proceed, a tree surgeon is the individual to get in touch with if you've any doubts about a tree's structural integrity.

This is most certainly a process that must only be tackled by an expert, because tree surgery is an immensely dangerous occupation. Whilst you may be tempted to forgo the costs and take a DIY approach, it's definitely not the smartest decision to make. To carry out the work they do, tree surgeons have to be qualified, experienced and physically fit.

Working at height is always risky, and the use of dangerous power tools whilst elevated in the air and suspended in a tree is of course no exception. So, you can see why it isn't a task for amateurs! To carry out a tree surgery project, a gang of tree surgeons who are all specialists at what they do, will normally be involved, and this is likely to include both climbers and a ground crew. It would be pretty much impossible for any untrained individual to compete with this level of risk assessment, experience and competence to carry out the work.

Identifying a good tree surgeon in Fordham will be the first step once you've established that you actually need one. But, how can this be done? Well, exploring things like cost, qualifications and experience will put you on the right track. Below, we will outline some useful tips for identifying the ideal tree surgeon to maintain, care for and carry out your tree needs.

For starters, you will want to make certain that they've got the required qualifications to dispel any doubts that they are properly trained and competent. The main governing body for tree surgeons and the one that issues qualifications is the the NPTC (National Proficiency Tests Council). Any Fordham tree surgeon should have the following qualifications as a minimum requirement:

• NPTC 203 (CS31) - Fell & process small trees up to 380mm (15") diameter.
• NPTC 308 (CS39) - Operate a chainsaw from rope and harness.
• NPTC 206/306 (CS38) - Climb a tree and perform aerial rescue.
• NPTC 201/202 (CS30) - Basic cross-cutting & chainsaw maintenance.

Having these certifications both signifies that they have a decent level of training, and gives you reassurance that the job will be carried out successfully and safely, although tree surgeons are not legally required to hold these qualifications. Because of the risks of catastrophic bleeding and falling from height, tree surgeons, forestry workers and arborists should always carry a comprehensive First Aid kit and have some basic First Aid qualifications.

Getting a selection of price quotes will be the next step, along with checking the breakdown of costs. It's a good idea to get 3 or 4 quotes from different Fordham tree surgeons. One particular thing to look out for is whether the estimate includes the the disposal of the vast amount of waste often created by tree surgery, sometimes it does not! The waste removal process can be very inconvenient and costly for the client, so if it is possible to have the tree surgeons remove and dispose of this waste themselves, it would definitely be the best solution.

Also, when chatting to prospective tree surgeons in Fordham, ensure that you're ready to ask loads of important questions in relation to your tree care needs. For example, you will want to know exactly who is going to be working on-site. Will you be able to meet up with them before they start? Is it going to involve one person working alone, or will it be a whole gang of arborists? What techniques of tree surgery or removal is going to be used on the tree? Will my home or neighbours be impacted by the work? What's the timescale for the work?

The more questions you ask, the less likely it is that you'll get any unpleasant surprises down the road.

You must also listen to the things your tree surgeon says. Listening to the ways that they describe the work they're planning to do will give you an inkling of their levels of expertise and professionalism. Even if you know very little about tree surgery yourself, you can normally tell when somebody knows their stuff, and the kind of terminology that should set the alarm bells ringing is 'topping and lopping', which is a fairly outdated expression, more often associated with cowboys and rogue traders. The correct terminology will be used by an experienced, professional and fully trained tree surgeon in Fordham, who'll discuss processes like 'crown thinning', 'crown reduction', 'pruning', 'crown lifting' and 'pollarding'. Whilst this might not invariably be an indicator of ability, it is often a helpful clue with regards to the level of experience attained by your tree surgeon.

In conclusion, when you have tree care or tree surgery needs in Fordham, it is always worth the effort of consulting a number of tree surgeons. If you find the best one, you can count on having a professionally undertaken job, taking all possible hazards into account and making sure that all your needs are fully catered to in a timely manner.

Removal of Tree Stumps Fordham

If you're in a position where you need to have a sizeable tree chopped down and removed from your property in Fordham, you're likely to be stuck with a tree stump, which also needs to be sorted out. You might be thinking of using the tree stump as a garden seat or some other useful feature, and may be perfectly happy to leave it in position until it rots away with time. However, tree stumps can be a trip hazard, an eysore and can attract unwelcome pests.

There are a number of ways by which a large tree stump can be removed, if you determine that this is the preferred thing to do, though the two key alternatives are stump grinding or stump removal. In the next couple of paragraphs we'll be looking at the stump removal alternative as opposed to stump grinding.

There are basically three methods of removing a tree stump - chemical treatment, burning or digging out by hand. If you want to take a shot at removing the stump for on your own, you could try any one of these tactics where suitable. If you are using a tree surgeon in Fordham, they'll normally recommend the aforementioned stump grinding option.

Chemical Stump Removal: Chemical treatment calls for the use of a powerful chemical solution for instance Resolva Xtra Tough Tree Stump Killer, Roundup Tree Stump Remover or Vitax SBK Stump Killer. It's important that you follow the instructions closely when working with any of these chemicals, as they can be dangerous and toxic. This is a long, rather than short term solution to stump removal, since it can take quite a few weeks or even months to completely decay, subject to the size of the stump. It will still have to be chopped up and dug out with an axe and spade once it has completely rotted.

Tree Stump Burning: Burning a tree stump is not usually recommended, and could contravene legislation in your area, so take care if choosing this method. A few 25mm holes will need to be drilled in the stump, and for several days regularly topped up with vegetable oil. Charcoal or logs should then be stacked around the stump and lit. However, this should be supervised constantly and never left to its own devices. When the fire has stopped burning, you must ensure that it's extinguished and cool, after which you will be able to manually dig out the roots and charred stump remains.

A different method is digging out all the soil from beneath the stump and lighting a fire in the cavity underneath. You should never try burning out a tree stump if it is near to other trees, fences or buildings.

Hand Stump Digging: Digging by hand is relatively straightforward and involves digging down, sawing through all the roots, and freeing the stump. You may need to use some form of winch for the final lifting out of the stump. This sort of work isn't for the unfit or faint-hearted, as it's tedious and exhausting.

Tree Care Injuries

The work that is tackled by tree surgeons in Fordham can be quite dangerous. Most tree work involves a considerable risk of injuries to both operatives and those on the ground, therefore all possible precautions must be taken when carrying out work on trees.

A large majority of fatal and serious injuries are linked to falls from trees, the use of chainsaws, and being hit by a falling tree or branch, as stated by the HSE (Health & Safety Executive). The startling fact is that the risk of sustaining a serious injury is higher in tree surgery work than it is for those involved in building and construction.

Based upon insurance company sources, falling from ladders, being struck by objects (grapple hooks, trees, ropes, branches, cranes etc) and lifting injuries, are the most common accidents for which claims are made.

This is why hiring a seasoned Fordham tree surgeon is so vital when you have tree work that needs to be carried out. In the tree care industry, the majority of accidents can be attributed to unskilled workers trying to tackle tasks that they're not fully trained in, or capable of. Consequently, to avoid this sort of problem, try to always use a trustworthy and experienced company which has been working in the Fordham area for a number of years.

Tree Surveys Fordham

Tree surveys could be required for a variety of reasons, but most commonly when development or property extension is concerned. As outlined by British Standards BS5837, if you're clearing a piece of land to make space for a new house or an extension to an existing property in Fordham, and trees are growing on that land, you will need to implement a professional tree survey. Fordham tree surveys on both private and public property, must be undertaken by an accredited tree surveyor or tree surgeon.

If a tree survey is done properly, it will produce a broad range of information about all of the trees within the specified area. For example:

• The diameter of each tree (measured 1.5m above ground level).
• The physiological and structural health of the trees.
• The height of each tree in metres.
• The ages of the trees.
• The branch spread towards the East, West, North and South.
• The predicted lifespan of the trees.
• The existence of any TPOs (Tree Preservation Orders).
• The allocation of a unique tree reference number for every tree.
• The species of trees on the site (either common or scientific).
• Preliminary tree management advice.
• The number of trees.

If you're carrying out work on an existing property in Fordham, and are not changing the service lines or access points, or increasing the footprint of the building, you will probably not need to carry out a tree survey.

Tree Surgery - Safety Considerations

One of the key considerations with doing tree surgery in Fordham is the safety aspect, given that it can certainly be a risky and dangerous process if tackled incorrectly. There are numerous factors that can go awry if the so called tradespeople doing the project are unqualified or inexperienced. Amongst the most commonplace concerns are hardly any fall protection, in the form of platforms, harnesses and ropes, inadequate head protection, neglecting to cordon-off the area to safeguard vehicles and pedestrians, failing to put on cut-proof (chainsaw resistant) apparel (in particular boots and trousers), not putting on eyesight or hearing protection and falling branches and timber. What could be in jeopardy because of these incompetencies are the actual tree itself, passing and stationary vehicles, the tree surgeon (up the tree), workers on the ground, the street facilities, passers by, nearby buildings, the property owners family, garden sheds and fences.

Hedge Trimming Fordham

Whilst the vast majority of work performed by tree surgeons in Fordham involves the care and maintenance of trees and shrubs, the cutting back of hedges is another task that they can perform. This is especially useful if you have conifer hedges (Leylandii for example) which can quickly get too tall for most gardeners to handle.

When hedges are poorly maintained and neglected, they can fairly quickly get out of control and overgrown. If you prefer to have a hedge that doesn't overwhelm your garden in Fordham, routine trimming is recommended, and this is imperative not merely for aesthetic reasons, but also because it makes the hedge stronger and healthier.

Tidy hedges help make your garden and property neater and more desirable, which could be a big advantage if you are considering selling your home in the immediate future.

Chainsaws

The most dangerous and perhaps the most commonplace piece of equipment which is used by tree surgeons in Fordham, is the chainsaw. Due to their ease of use and greater portability, petrol driven chainsaws are the most preferred by tree care professionals, although mains and battery models can be purchased. For substantial tree work, the only realistic choice is to use petrol driven chainsaws, because they are able to slice through limbs and branches of any size, and are exceptionally powerful.

A chainsaw essentially consists of a rotating engine-driven chain which is armed with a set of sharp teeth that slice through the bark of the tree and the inner wood. For the varied operations that are required, there are different designs of chainsaw, pole saws for long distance pruning and hard to reach branches, top-handled for working at height (and which can be used single handedly if necessary) and rear-handled for work at ground level (must always be used with two hands).

Whilst it isn't the safest thing to be climbing up a tree with, it is fairly rare to find a tree surgeon in Fordham who does not use a chainsaw just about every day. In order to become a member of the Arboricultural Association (AA), being trained in the safe use of chainsaws is one of the main requirements for tree surgeons.

There are numerous different makes and models of chainsaw, but the most commonly used by tree surgery specialists in Fordham are Stihl, Husqvarna, Makita and Hyundai.

Leylandii Hedge Removal

Leylandii hedges are a top pick for property owners in Fordham who value both fast growth and privacy. Nonetheless, they have the tendency to grow out of control and become hard to keep in check. There are a few vital things to bear in mind when contemplating the removal of a Leylandii hedge. The initial step is to make sure that the hedge is not covered by any legal designations or restrictions, 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. Secondly, Leylandii hedges can have extensive root systems, so it's important to hire a qualified tree surgeon to safely remove the hedge and its roots. Once the hedge is removed, it's essential to dispose of the waste in a manner that is environmentally safe and responsible. To sum up, removing a Leylandii hedge can be a hazardous and lengthy process, requiring the implementation of adequate safety precautions and possibly consulting with an expert.

Protecting Trees in the Wintertime

Even though the winter weather conditions are rarely harsh enough to warrant protecting your trees and shrubs, it is always worth looking at as a precautionary measure. Even the plants, trees and shrubs that we normally consider to be hardy, can find the winter season hard to get through, especially in the colder months, and they will always benefit from a bit of extra protection and TLC.

Although most of your trees may have already shed their leaves come winter in Fordham, it is strong winds and storms that are the biggest worry, and although they offer less wind resistance, they might still be vulnerable to damage. If you've got a tree on your property that appears to be damaged, or shows signs of crashing to the ground, you will need to have it checked out by a tree surgeon, who will offer advice and guidance. Damaged trees can also be caused by heavy snow, so when this kind of weather is expected, be on the lookout for trouble. In the height of winter, your trees and shrubs might need a bit of protection from ice and frost. Laying a blanket of mulch round the stem bases will allow them to absorb moisture and stop the surrounding soil from freezing.

Pollarding Trees Fordham

The process whereby a tree's size is significantly reduced because it's gotten too big for its current environment, is referred to as pollarding. This procedure is also on occasion employed for visual reasons to change a tree into an especially pleasing form. You will sometimes notice trees which have been pollarded growing alongside highways in Fordham, and also quite typically in managed hedgerows For people who appreciate trees this is not a very popular procedure, because the consequence is inclined to be rather stark and naked, with the overall appearance of being practically lifeless. Tree species like maples, beeches, sycamores, limes, horse chestnuts, oaks and planes are regular candidates for the pollarding process, and on the positive side trees which might normally have to be felled can be preserved for generations to come.

Stump Grinding

It's crucial to be certain to work with a tree surgeon having the appropriate machinery and knowhow, when you need to get stump grinding done in Fordham. The very best Fordham tree surgeons will understand that every single bit of the stump needs to be removed down to a depth of at least one foot. Owning the correct machines ensures that they can grind roots and stumps fairly close to walls and structures without causing any damage. The right machinery is also able to deal with any tree stumps in narrow alleys and passageways. It can take a herculean effort to eradicate the stumps of massive trees, where the stump and main roots go down to a significant depth, making the job even more difficult if you don't have the right gear.

Skills Needed by Tree Surgeons in Fordham

• Be able to work well with your hands.
• Have the ability to use, maintain and repair tools and equipment.
• To be able to undertake basic tasks on a hand-held device or computer.
• Patience and the ability to stay focused in stressful circumstances.
• Physical skills like co-ordination and movement.
• Be professional and capable of completing work within the set time frame.
• Have a good understanding of public security and safety.
• The capacity to work happily with others.
• Have a methodical and organised working approach.
• Have good customer service skills.
• Be alert to the dangers and complexities involved with the various aspects of work.

Coming Soon:

Stump grinding machines - article 246.

Tree Surgery Tasks Fordham

Fordham tree surgeons will likely help with tree management, crown thinning, crown lifting, tree cabling Fordham, coppicing Fordham, staking, landscaping, crown removal Fordham, landscape clearing in Fordham, damage restoration, forestry management, tree planning, tree bracing, tree felling, arboriculture, crown cleaning Fordham, stump treatment, residential tree surgery, root removal Fordham, root flare exposure, tree planting in Fordham, safety inspections, woodchipping Fordham, tree topping, decompaction in Fordham, tree maintenance, tree pollarding Fordham, tree work, dead wooding, stump removal, tree pruning in Fordham, shrub maintenance Fordham, dead-wooding, the protection of trees from grazing, tree dismantling and other tree surgeon services in Fordham, Cambridgeshire. Listed are just a selection of the tasks that are carried out by tree surgeons. Fordham specialists will be happy to inform you of their whole range of services.

Tree Surgeons Near Fordham: Also find: West Row tree surgeons, Reach tree surgeons, Landwade tree surgeons, Upware tree surgeons, Isleham tree surgeons, Worlington tree surgeons, Wicken tree surgeons, River Bank tree surgeons, Red Lodge tree surgeons, Kennet tree surgeons, Snailwell tree surgery and more. Most of these towns and villages are catered for by local tree surgeons. Fordham residents can obtain price quotes by clicking here.

More Fordham Trades: Obviously, when you're having tree surgery done in Fordham, Cambridgeshire, you will likely need other garden related services, and as well as a tree surgeon in Fordham, Cambridgeshire, you might also need rubbish removal in Fordham, hard landscaping in Fordham, block paving in Fordham, garden sheds in Fordham, patio cleaning in Fordham, gate installers in Fordham, garden digging services in Fordham, garden clearance in Fordham, garden wall construction in Fordham, hedge clipping in Fordham, grass cutting in Fordham, artificial grass installers in Fordham, garden design and planning in Fordham, SKIP HIRE in Fordham, garden pond installation in Fordham, decking installers in Fordham, and other different Fordham tradespeople.

(Sourced from tree surgeons Fordham text version three.)

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