Goffs Oak Tree Surgeons (EN7) Hertfordshire: Trees are an important feature of many gardens and properties in Goffs Oak, and they can transform a largely two dimensional landscape by adding substance, structure and style. But issues can result when trees have been neglected or are impacted by extreme weather conditions such as high winds or flooding. Prior to any work beginning, the safest option is to get advice from a qualified tree surgeon in Goffs Oak, when your trees need attention.
There's a major risk of damage to property, the trees and to life, for folks in Goffs Oak who try to do tree work themselves, or by hiring non-qualified individuals. However, even for experienced tree surgeons who are acquainted with all the hazards, tree work is not entirely safe. Tree surgery is definitely not a task for amateurs, and on average there are a hundred and forty serious injuries and three deaths a year within the profession, making it one of the most hazardous jobs in the UK.
A damaged or poorly maintained tree can also cause a danger to life, with around 5 people annually being fatally wounded by falling trees or branches in the UK. If an injury occurs, or property is damaged due to you bringing in someone to perform tree work, you might be liable for any compensation to any third-party. The above are just a few of the reasons why it is vitally important to retain the services of a competent tree surgeon to work on your trees. (Figures sourced from HSE).
SELECTING A TREE SURGEON IN GOFFS OAK - There are two principal trade bodies, at least one of which a seasoned tree surgeon in Goffs Oak should be an approved member of. The professional status and membership of any tree surgeon in Goffs Oak can be checked on the websites of both the International Society of Arboriculture and the Arboricultural Association. To determine whether any specific local tree surgeon has Approved ARB Contractor status and has membership of either of these organisations, you can check out this website.
You'll be able to communicate with these trade associations for assistance in arbitration and for help and advice, if a problem springs up at any point during the work, or after it has been finished.
If someone offers you a quotation for any tree work and you are unable to find them on this directory list, you should tactfully decline their offer and find an approved contractor. Once you've reassured yourself of their qualifications and professional associations you should try to get at least 3 different estimates from various companies in and around Goffs Oak. There are several important questions that you must ask whilst you are obtaining the quotations, and because of the risks of the work involved, you must make it abundantly clear that you need the answers. You should for example ask:
- Can you show documentary evidence of your professional membership, qualifications and a NPTC/LANTRA certificate for chainsaw use? Any tree surgeon/operative using a chainsaw, must by law hold a NPTC/LANTRA certificate. Qualifications might include National Diplomas and Certificates in Arboriculture.
- Do you supply written quotations? Only ever accept a written quote. NEVER settle for a verbal quote alone.
- Would I be able to to contact a person you have recently done work for, so that I can inspect your tree work? It's a good idea to perform an independent examination of any recent work.
- Exactly what level of insurance cover do you have? As recommended by the ISA and AA, your tree surgeon ought to be able to show you a certificate covering no less than £5 Million public liability insurance.
On the written quote that you receive, you'll need there to be clear and concise details about all the work that is being undertaken. Who's responsible for the removal and disposal of waste, tree branches and stumps should be stated, as should details about any trees which might be protected, and the required steps to obtain permission to carry out work on them. Verify that they have also included VAT on the quotation. It is very important to realise that you've got a responsibility for employing only skilled tradespeople to work on your trees and property. This is stated by the "Common law duty of care responsibilities and sometimes liabilities under the Occupier's Liability Acts of 1957 and 1984."
PRIOR TO WORK - Finding out whether any of your trees are protected, your selected Goffs Oak tree surgeon should make sure that any work gets the green light from the appropriate local authority. Even protected trees require maintenance so as to cut back old or damaged wood and ensure public safety, so discovering that a tree has protected status does not imply that work cannot still be carried out.
If your property in Goffs Oak is inside a designated conservation area, the Local Planning Authority (LPA) will need at least six weeks written notice of any tree work you're intending to do. This written notice isn't required if the tree trunk is less than 75mm in diameter when measured at 1.5m above the ground. Notice is also not a requirement if thinning or pruning of a protected tree's branches is necessary in order to sustain and encourage growth.
Your Goffs Oak tree surgeon will determine the required remedial treatment and how the required outcome can be achieved with safety in mind after carrying out a complete assessment of your trees health. Where there's any possibility of falling branches, a risk assessment will need to be carried out on your property, public areas, and parts of neighbouring properties that could be affected. This stage will also ascertain the amount of workers required and the level of protection needed. To keep property and the general public safe from harm or damage, this will include both personal protective equipment (PPE) and other safety precautions.
ON THE DAY OF WORK - To keep passers-by and unauthorised persons away from the work area, barriers and safety measures will be put in place before any tree felling, climbing or cutting of branches is started. If there is any danger of falling debris into a public road, traffic might need to be temporarily stopped.
Different degrees of protection will be necessary for the tree surgeon according to what work needs to be carried out. When doing basic tree work with a chainsaw, to prevent serious cutting injuries to the legs, hands and torso, they will at the very least be wearing special protective clothing. Without exception, every operative involved in the work should wear high-vis clothing, and eye and head protection.
Extra staff will normally be necessary to help with the safe removal of high branches and large pieces of tree trunk, particularly if any working at height is involved, and where ladders and associated climbing equipment is being deployed. For the removal of waste materials, access to the work site will be necessary. Therefore, it is a good idea to inform your neighbours, since a skip or lorry will need to be stationed as close to the work area as possible whilst work progresses.
AFTER COMPLETION OF WORK - As soon as the tree work has been completed all the waste and branches will be transported away and the area cleared of any debris. Your tree surgeon will then sign off and give you a certificate of work, particularly when the trees are protected. If any safety measures were put in public spaces they can now be removed, with paths and roads being re-opened to the public.
If you've got any problems or issues with the completed work, you should first address them with the tree surgeon so that they can be put right immediately. If any further arbitration is needed, and your tree surgeon is a signed up member of a professional trade body, you can get guidance and advice from the AA or the ISA so as to come to an acceptable conclusion.
Chainsaws
With regards to the equipment that is utilised by Goffs Oak tree surgeons, the most commonly seen is the chainsaw. The preferred type of chainsaw with tree care professionals is the petrol powered version, being easily handled and more mobile, although nowadays it is possible to purchase mains operated chainsaws and rechargeable battery models. Petrol driven chainsaws are really the only option for substantial tree work, being very robust, powerful and able to effortlessly slice through limbs and branches of any size.
A chainsaw consists of a motor and a rotating chain with a series of razor-sharp teeth which cut through the bark and wood of a tree. For the various different tasks 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 operated with one hand if necessary) and rear-handled for work at ground level (two handed).
Although carrying a rapidly twirling blade while precariously balancing up a tree isn't the safest job on the planet, it's rare to see a tree surgeon in Goffs Oak who does not use a chainsaw in their everyday activities. Being trained in the maintenance and safe use of chainsaws is a key requirement for any professional tree surgeon, and is essential before they can even be considered for approval by the ISA or the Arboricultural Association.
Although there are countless different chainsaw makes and models available to professionals, the most popular ones used Goffs Oak are Makita, Stihl, Husqvarna and Hyundai.
TPOs (Tree Preservation Orders) Goffs Oak
You should make sure that there is not a TPO (Tree Preservation Order) on any of your trees in Goffs Oak, before you carry out any major work on them. You must talk to your local authority to find out if any of the trees within the perimeter of your property are covered by Tree Preservation Orders. A Tree Preservation Order forbids the wilful damage, removal, topping, lopping, cutting down, uprooting or wilful destruction of any tree that is covered. Your tree surgeon will be able to advise you on this and help with any checks.
For any of you who reside within a conservation area in Goffs Oak, at least 6 weeks notice in writing must be given to the local council if you intend to undertake any work on a tree with a diameter of 75mm or more.
Leylandii Hedge Removal Goffs Oak
Leylandii hedges are a top pick for property owners in Goffs Oak who value both fast growth and privacy. Nonetheless, they have the tendency to grow out of control and become hard to keep in check. If you intend to remove a Leylandii hedge, it's important to keep in mind a few key considerations. The primary consideration is to ascertain that the hedge isn't shielded by any legal provisions, including a Tree Preservation Order. If the hedge is protected, you will have to acquire authorisation from the local council before removing it. Furthermore, Leylandii hedges can have complex root networks, underscoring the importance of employing a skilled tree surgeon to safely remove the hedge and its roots. Ultimately, it's necessary to dispose of the hedge waste responsibly in an eco-friendly way after its removal. To put it simply, removing a Leylandii hedge can be a dangerous and prolonged task, underscoring the need to take the necessary safety measures and potentially seeking assistance from a professional.
Dutch Elm Disease
A fungal disease which has killed off millions of elm trees right through Great Britain over the past five decades or more, Dutch Elm Disease (Ophiostoma novo-ulmi) is not quite as big a problem as it was previously. Unintentionally introduced into Great Britain from Canada in the late 1960's, DED (Dutch Elm Disease) is spread by the elm bark beetle (especially the Scolytus genus) and caused by the Ophiostoma novo-ulmi fungus.
After its arrival, it was rapidly spread through the transportation of elm products like mulching bark, crates, saplings, and firewood logs with the bark on. Believed to have originated in Asia (possibly Japan), Dutch Elm Disease didn't just affect trees in Britain, but also destroyed elm stocks in continental Europe, North America and New Zealand.
The first symptoms of Dutch Elm Disease are:
- Clusters of yellow leaves that wilt and then fall.
- A "shepherd's crook" effect on affected twigs.
- Dark rings or spots in the cross-section of twigs.
- Affected shoots dying back from the tips.
It normally begins to appear in early summer.
As there are now hardly any sizeable elms in the UK countryside, the beetle's habitat has been pretty much eradicated, which has resulted in a slowing of Dutch Elm Disease. New saplings have also been successfully propagated from trees that have so far proved resistant.
You could put in a request for a diagnosis from the Tree Health Diagnostic & Advisory Service (THDAS), or you can get hold of your neighbourhood tree surgeon for advice and guidance, if you've got elm trees in your garden in Goffs Oak, and suspect they might be infected with Dutch Elm Disease.
Trees of the genus Ulmcae and Zelkova are affected.
Agent of spread - small beetles of the Scolytus and Hylorgopinus genera.
Cause - fungi Ophiostoma Ulmi & Ophiostoma Novo-Ulmi.
Coming Soon:
Stump grinding machines - article 678.
Tree Surgery Tasks Goffs Oak
Goffs Oak tree surgeons can usually help you with tree management, safety inspections, decompaction, tree transplanting, hedge lowering Goffs Oak, emergency tree surgery, hedge reduction, drop crotching, health assessments, fruit tree pruning Goffs Oak, removal of storm damaged trees Goffs Oak, forestry management Goffs Oak, tree staking, coppicing Goffs Oak, tree shaping, stump treatment, shielding trees from grazing, tree care services, vegetation management, woodland management, site clearance, damaged tree cutting and removal, tree watering, waste removal, root pruning, tree pest control, crown removal, crown raising, commercial tree care, crown lifting, tree lightening protection in Goffs Oak, hedge trimming, tree bracing in Goffs Oak, tree planting, tree cabling and other tree surgeon services in Goffs Oak, Hertfordshire. These are just a selection of the duties that are carried out by local tree surgeons. Goffs Oak professionals will be happy to tell you about their entire range of services.
Tree Surgeons Near Goffs Oak: Also find: Forty Hill tree surgeons, Epping Green tree surgeons, Bury Green tree surgeons, Wormley West End tree surgeons, Bulls Cross tree surgeons, Northaw tree surgeons, Flamstead End tree surgeons, Brickendon tree surgeons, Newgare Street tree surgeons, Hammond Street tree surgeons, Clay Hill tree surgeons, Bell Bar tree surgery and more. Most of these areas are covered by local tree surgeons. Goffs Oak business and home owners and others can get tree surgery estimates by going here.
(Sourced from tree surgeons Goffs Oak text version four.)
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