Tree Surgeons Gateshead

Who you going to call? A tree surgeon! - For a wide variety of customers in Gateshead - both domestic and commercial, tree surgeons provide an important service in the maintenance and general care of trees. Tree related services like: the pruning of dead, invasive or weak branches, safe tree planting, felling, inspections and hazard assessments, together with general tree care, are but a few examples of what an experienced Gateshead tree surgeon can provide.

However, a tree surgeon's work does not finish with trees alone. A tree surgeon in Gateshead will take on further duties, such as hedge care, trimming and maintenance and stump removal. As they will be able to assess your tree, prepare a report on potential hazards, and give you advice on the best way to proceed, a tree surgeon is the individual to hire if you have any worries about a tree's structural integrity.

Any intelligent person in Gateshead would understand that tree surgery is an exceedingly risky business, and that it should not be handled by somebody that is not professionally trained. It wouldn't be a sensible decision to avoid and take a do-it-yourself approach, although this might at first seem to be a tempting option. In order to carry out this type of task, tree surgeons need to be experienced, qualified and physically fit.

Tree surgery will very often involve the use of dangerous chainsaws and power tools while elevated in the air and hanging from a harness in a tree. This is certainly not an activity for a DIYer! Tree surgery is also commonly performed by a gang of experienced tree surgeons, including a ground team and climbers, who are all experts in their field. It is impossible for any untrained individual to compete with this level of risk assessment, competence and experience to undertake the work.

When you have made up your mind that you require the help of a professional tree surgeon in Gateshead, you will have to take measures to find a really good one. But, how is this to be accomplished? Well, a few things will need to be checked, such as how much it will cost and what qualifications they have. Below, we will outline some useful tips for obtaining the best tree surgeon to maintain, carry out and care for your tree needs.

Making sure they have the required certifications is the first step in assuring you that they are competent and properly trained. The main governing body issuing certifications to tree surgeons is the National Proficiency Tests Council. Any reputable tree surgeon in Gateshead should hold the following accreditations as a bare minimum requirement:

• NPTC 203 (CS31) - Fell & process small trees.
• NPTC 206/306 (CS38) - Tree climbing & aerial tree rescue.
• NPTC 308 (CS39) - Aerial cutting of trees using free-fall techniques.
• NPTC 201/202 (CS30) - Maintenance of the chainsaw, on site preparation, & basic cross-cutting.

Having such certifications both shows that they've a good level of training, and gives you the peace of mind that the task will be done safely and successfully, despite the fact that there is no legal obligation for tree surgeons to hold such qualifications. It is also vital that some First Aid qualifications are held by forestry workers, arborists and tree surgeons, and they should carry an appropriate First Aid kit according to HSE workplace recommendations.

Next, check the exact breakdown of costs and ask three or four tree surgeons in Gateshead to obtain different quotations for the work. Disposal costs for the considerable amount of waste that is often produced by tree maintenance and surgery, will sometimes not be included in the quote. The removal of waste can be costly and inconvenient for the customer therefore it's definitely better to get the tree surgeons to remove this themselves if you can.

When you speak to potential tree surgeons in Gateshead, you should also be ready to ask plenty of important questions. For example, you will want to know exactly who is going to be doing the actual work. Would you be able to meet up with them before work begins? Will it involve a team of workers or one person on their own? What is the timeframe for the work? What techniques of tree removal or surgery will be used? Are my home or neighbours going to be impacted?

The more questions you ask, the less likely it is that you will have any unpleasant surprises later on.

Also, listen closely to how your tree surgeon speaks and what they say. This can be useful for determining their level of professionalism and expertise before any actual work begins. If somebody is referring to 'lopping and topping', this is often associated with the more old-fashioned workers, who may well not be familiar with modern techniques and technologies. The right terminology will be used by a fully trained, professional and experienced tree surgeon in Gateshead, who will reel off phrases like 'crown reduction', 'thinning', 'crown lifting', 'pollarding' and 'pruning'. Although this might not necessarily be a sign of ability, it can be a helpful clue with regards to the level of expertise attained by your tree surgeon.

To sum up, it's always worth taking the time to consult a number of tree surgeons in Gateshead regarding any possible tree care or tree surgery requirements you might have. Consequently, you will get a job that is expertly undertaken, meets all your requirements and conforms to all the recommended health and safety measures.

Dutch Elm Disease

Although Dutch Elm Disease (Ophiostoma novo-ulmi) is not quite the problem that it once was, during the past fifty years or more it has wiped out many millions of elm trees right through Britain. Inadvertently introduced into the United Kingdom from Canada in the late nineteen sixties, Dutch Elm Disease (DED) is spread by the elm bark beetle and caused by the Ophiostoma novo-ulmi fungus.

Through the transportation of elm products such as bark mulch, elm crates, saplings, and logs with the bark on, it swiftly spread through the UK after its initial arrival. It was not just Britain that was affected by this dreadful disease, as stocks of elms were also devastated in continental Europe and North America.

Usually first manifesting in early summer, the recognisable signs of Dutch Elm Disease disease are:

• Affected shoots dying back from the tips.
• Clusters of leaves that turn yellow, wilt and fall.
• Dark spots or rings in the cross-section of twigs.
• Twigs turning into a "shepherd's crook".

The felling of dead, dying and infected trees, has essentially decimated the beetle's habitat, and in recent years the spread of this disease has been slowed. There's an ongoing project for the propagation of young saplings that are resistant to DED.

You can ask for a diagnosis from the THDAS (Tree Health Diagnostic and Advisory Service), or you can speak to your neighbourhood tree surgeon for help and advice, if you've got elm trees in your garden in Gateshead, and suspect that they may be afflicted with Dutch Elm Disease.

Trees affected - Ulmus and Zelkova.

Vectors - beetles of the Scolytus and Hylorgopinus genera.

Cause - fungi Ophiostoma Ulmi & Ophiostoma Novo-Ulmi.

Safety Considerations

The health and safety aspect is one of the most important considerations when having tree surgery done, as if carried out incorrectly it can certainly be a risky undertaking. There are numerous things that can go awry if the so called tradesmen doing the project are inexperienced or unqualified. Some of the most commonplace worries are failure to put on cut resistant clothing (especially trousers and safety boots), neglecting to cordon-off the area to safeguard vehicles and passers-by, not wearing hearing or eye protection, inadequate head protection, falling timber and branches and little protection from falling, in the form of harnesses, ropes and platforms. At an increased risk due to this sort of incompetence are vehicles, personnel at ground level, fencing and garden sheds, nearby properties, the property owners, pedestrians, facilities on the street, the tree surgeon (person climbing the tree), the actual tree.

Ash Dieback

A damaging fungal disease which is likely to decimate about 80 percent of the current British ash tree stocks, in the next few years, ash dieback was first recorded in the British Isles in 2012, when a nursery imported a significant number of trees from the Netherlands. Set to have huge ramifications for our countryside, ash dieback is likely to be just as catastrophic as the earlier epidemic of Dutch Elm Disease (DED).

A damaging disease of trees of the Fraxinus genus, ash dieback has a particularly disastrous effect on the Fraxinus excelsior (common ash), British Fraxinus excelsior (common ash). The fungus which causes ash dieback is called Hymenoscyphus fraxineus (H. fraxineus), and it originated in Asia.

Rapidly spread by microscopic spores produced by the fruiting bodies of the fungus, and can be blown for miles on the wind, ash dieback is prevalent in most regions of Great Britain with mortality rates of up to eighty five percent.

Ash dieback kills trees of all ages and has symptoms such as:

• New epicormic growth appearing from buds that were previously seen to be dormant.
• Wilting leaves that turn black and drop early.
• Leaves developing dark patches during the summertime.
• Dying leaves and shoots which are visible during the summertime.
• Dark brown lesions form where branches connect to trunk.

Ash trees can fend off the infection to some degree, but eventually succumb to continued attacks. Presently there's no obvious technique for stopping the spread of achalara ash dieback, and there's no effective treatment.

If you believe you have identified a tree suffering from ash dieback on your property in Gateshead, or in the local community, you could report it to the "Tree Alert Service" provided by the Forestry Commission, although the disease is so prevalent all over Great Britain that they're only really interested to know about cases discovered in locations not affected previously. You should still however get in touch with a local tree surgeon, who'll offer advice on how to proceed.

Chainsaws

The most dangerous and arguably the most commonplace tool that is used by tree surgeons in Gateshead, is the chainsaw. Despite the fact that mains electric and battery versions of chainsaw are available, the most popular type with tree care professionals are driven by petrol, thanks to their ease of use and greater mobility. Where thick branches and large trunks need cutting, such heavy tree work requires the use of the most robust petrol driven chainsaws.

A chainsaw consists of an engine and a revolving chain with a series of teeth that cut through the wood and bark of a tree. For the different procedures that are called for, there are various designs of chainsaw, rear-handled for work at ground level (two handed), pole saws for long distance pruning and hard to reach branches and top-handled for working at height (and which can be used single handedly if required).

Although carrying a rapidly rotating blade whilst precariously balancing high up in a tree is definitely not the safest job on the planet, it's pretty rare to find a tree surgeon in Gateshead who does not use a chainsaw in his/her everyday activities. Being fully trained in the safe use of chainsaws is a key prerequisite for any tree surgeon, and is crucial before they can be approved by the Arboricultural Association or the ISA.

There are countless different makes of chainsaw, but the most commonly used by professional tree surgeons in the United Kingdom are Makita, Hyundai, Husqvarna and Stihl.

Hedge Cutting Gateshead

While focusing mainly on specialist tree care work, tree surgeons in Gateshead are quite often also involved in the trimming and upkeep of hedges. This is particularly helpful if you've got conifer hedges such as Leylandii which can quickly grow too high for a homeowner or regular gardener to deal with.

A hedge that's neglected and poorly maintained can soon become overgrown and quickly get out of control. If you do not want to hedge to overwhelm large parts of your garden in Gateshead, regular trimming makes sense, and this is vital not merely for cosmetic reasons, but also to make your hedge much stronger.

You can help make your entire garden and home look neat by tidily clipping your hedges. And if you have plans to sell your property in the forseeable future, neat hedges might even add some extra value. You should also be able to obtain hedge cutting services in Pelaw, Dunston Hill, Bensham, Deckham, High Felling, Eighton Banks, Saltwell, High Fell, Windy Nook, Springwell, Felling, Wrekenton, Sheriff Hill, Mount Pleasant, Heworth, and Gateshead, Tyne and Wear.

Protecting Shrubs and Trees in the Wintertime

Even though the winter climate is rarely severe enough to warrant protecting your shrubs and trees, it's definitely worth considering as a precaution. Even the plants, trees and shrubs that we normally think of as hardy, can find the winter season hard to endure, especially in the colder months, and they'll invariably benefit from some extra protection and TLC.

Storms and high winds can cause the biggest problems when trees are involved, and despite the fact that come winter most of your trees will have shed their leaves, they might still be susceptible in extreme conditions. If you have a tree in your garden that looks like it may be damaged, or shows signs of falling to the ground, you'll want to have it examined by a local tree surgeon, who'll offer guidance and advice. Heavy snow can also lead to broken branches, so be on the lookout when this kind of weather is expected. Some trees and shrubs, in particular freshly planted ones, may need a little protection from ice and frost, and a substantial covering of mulch can help keep the soil frost-free around their bases.

Logs and Firewood Gateshead

Tree surgeons can be a good source for logs and firewood in Gateshead, if you are wanting to buy this particular commodity. As felling trees and chopping off branches is a major part of their daily schedule, this is an obvious offshoot for the enterprising tree surgeon.

Some Gateshead tree surgeons will sell you seasoned and chopped logs which are dried out and ready for burning, whilst others may be prepared to give you branches and logs cost-free, since they usually have lots of them to get shot of.

Logs with a moisture content of under twenty percent are perfect for burning on your log burning stove or open fire, and these will have been left to dry out for a year or more. The advantage of getting logs from tree surgeons, is that these are most likely to be hardwood logs, which will throw out heat for three or four hours, giving a long, sustained burn. Softwood logs are superb for starting a fire, so if you can get your hands on a few of these as well, that is going to be useful.

Removal of Tree Stumps Gateshead

After having a big tree felled and removed in Gateshead, you'll likely be left with one more problem - the stump. Now, in some situations you might be perfectly happy to leave the tree stump in place and let it rot and break down naturally. However, stumps in your garden can be trip hazards, can attract unwanted pests, and can even send out new suckers in an attempt to regrow.

There are various techniques for getting rid of a stump altogether, but stump grinding or stump removal are the two main options. For the purposes of this piece we will be looking at removal rather than grinding.

With regards to removing a tree stump, the 3 main techniques are digging out by hand, chemical treatment and burning. You could use any of these tactics if you are planning to remove a tree stump on your own. If you're intending to get a tree surgeon to do the work, they're usually going to favour the previously mentioned stump grinding procedure, however a chemically based stump removal treatment like eco-plugging might also be suggested.

Tree Stump Burning: As it can be quite dangerous and could be at variance with local legislation, burning stumps isn't really recommended, so if you use this method, take great care. The burning procedure involves drilling out a number of holes into the tree stump, filling and topping them up with vegetable oil over a period of several days until soaked. You should then stack charcoal around the tree stump and set light to it. This should not then be left unattended, and be supervised continually. Once the burning process has finished, you should make certain that the fire is put out, and when it has cooled down completely you can dig out and remove the charred remains of roots and stump.

An alternate option is digging out all the soil from below the tree stump and setting a fire in the cavity created underneath. None of these stump burning techniques should ever be used if the stump is near to fences, other trees or a building.

Digging Out a Stump by Hand: Digging up a stump by hand will require an assortment of tools such as a chainsaw, a handsaw, loppers and a pointed shovel. It involves digging down to reveal the roots, chopping the roots with a saw or loppers, and eventually freeing the stump, to make it easier to lift out. For the final lifting out process you might need to get hold of a cable ratchet winch. This is laborious and tiring work.

Chemical Treatments: If you choose the chemical removal option, you'll need to get hold of Resolva Xtra Tough Tree Stump Killer, Roundup Tree Stump Remover or Vitax SBK Stump Killer. Wear gloves and avoid contact with the skin when utilising any of these chemicals, and also avoid inhaling. You should abide by the manufacturer's instructions, for rates, applications and timings. This is not a short term fix, and it could take several weeks for the tree stump to break down entirely, after which an axe and spade can be used to remove it.

Leylandii Hedge Removal Gateshead

Leylandii hedges are a favoured option among Gateshead householders who seek rapid growth and privacy. However, they can quickly become overgrown and hard to maintain. There are a few important things to consider, when it comes to removing a Leylandii hedge. Before taking any further action, it is crucial to confirm that the hedge is not protected by any legal constraints or obligations, such as a Tree Preservation Order. In such cases, you must seek approval from the local council before removing the hedge. Besides, Leylandii hedges can develop elaborate root systems, which underscores the necessity of hiring an experienced tree surgeon to remove the hedge and its roots safely. Ultimately, it's necessary to dispose of the hedge waste responsibly in an eco-friendly way after its removal. In conclusion, removing a Leylandii hedge can be a risky and time-intensive process, making it crucial to take the necessary safety precautions and potentially hiring a professional if needed.

Coming Soon:

Stump grinding machines - article 246.

Tree Surgery Tasks Gateshead

Gateshead tree surgeons will likely help you with tree waste removal Gateshead, tree cabling, stump treatment, formative pruning, tree felling, decompaction, cut sealing, pollarding, drop crotching Gateshead, emergency tree surgery, site clearance in Gateshead, tree surveys, tree cutting in Gateshead, crown reduction, retrenchment pruning Gateshead, tree pruning, crown raising Gateshead, tree bracing, root removal, tree work, tree transplanting, tree topping, tree maintenance, stump removal, root flare exposure in Gateshead, crown lifting in Gateshead, dead wooding, tree care, vegetation management in Gateshead, tree shaping, hazard assessment in Gateshead, coppicing, crown thinning in Gateshead, tree planning, woodland management Gateshead and other tree surgeon services in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear. These are just some of the tasks that are carried out by tree surgeons. Gateshead professionals will be delighted to keep you abreast of their entire range of services.

Tree Surgeons Near Gateshead: Also find: Springwell tree surgeons, High Felling tree surgeons, Eighton Banks tree surgeons, Sheriff Hill tree surgeons, Windy Nook tree surgeons, Saltwell tree surgeons, Felling tree surgeons, Pelaw tree surgeons, Bensham tree surgeons, High Fell tree surgeons, Mount Pleasant tree surgeons, Wrekenton tree surgeons, Deckham tree surgeons, Dunston Hill tree surgeons, Heworth tree surgery and more. Most of these villages and towns are serviced by experienced tree surgeons. Gateshead home and property owners and others can obtain quotes by going here.

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