Tree Surgeons Kirkcaldy

Hiring a non-qualified person for tree work or attempting to do it by yourself, could harm your trees, cause damage to property, or even be life threatening. However, tree work is not a safe occupation, even for trained tree surgeons, who are aware of all the risks. In fact tree surgery is one of the most dangerous jobs in Britain, with an average of a hundred and forty serious injuries and three deaths a year within the industry, and so it is definitely not safe work for amateurs.

There is also a danger to life from neglected or damaged trees in Kirkcaldy, seeing as around 5 people a year are tragically killed in Britain by falling trees and branches. If property is damaged, or an injury occurs due to you hiring someone to carry out tree work, you might be liable to third-party compensation claims due to the consequences of your actions. These are just a few of the reasons why it is very important to employ a professional tree surgeon to carry out the work on your trees in Kirkcaldy. (Figures sourced from HSE).

There are 2 principal professional arboricultural bodies, one or both of which an experienced Kirkcaldy tree surgeon should be an approved member of. Both the AA (Arboricultural Association) and the ISA (International Society of Arboriculture) offers a website where you can check the professional standing and membership of any tree surgeon. Membership of either of these 2 bodies will give the tree surgeon recognised ARB Approved Contractor status which can be checked on this website.

If a problem develops during or after any tree work has been accomplished you will be able to contact these professional associations for mediation assistance and for help and advice at any stage.

If anybody who you cannot find on this directory list offers you a price quote, you should graciously decline their offer of work and carry on with your search for an approved contractor. It's wise to get at least three quotations from different companies in Kirkcaldy, once you've diligently checked their professional qualifications and associations. While getting the quotations you should ask the below questions, making it clear that you need them to provide you with the answers due to the risks involved with tree surgery work:

• Precisely what level of insurance coverage do you have? You should not even consider a tree surgeon in Kirkcaldy with less than £5 Million public liability insurance as recommended by the AA and ISA.
• Could I contact some former customers so that I can check the standard of your tree work? It is advisable to carry out an independent examination of any recent work.
• Can you show a NPTC certificate for the use of a chainsaw, and documentary verification of your qualifications and professional memberships? It's required by law that any tree surgeon/operative using a chainsaw must hold a NPTC/LANTRA certificate. A trained Kirkcaldy tree surgeon will probably hold Certificates and National Diplomas in Arboriculture.
• Can you give me a written quotation? You should only ever accept a written quote. NEVER accept a verbal quote alone.

The written quotation must include easy to follow details of the tree work to be undertaken. It should include details about any trees which might be protected, and the steps needed to obtain permission to work on them, and also state who's responsible for the removal of tree branches, stumps and waste. You should also make certain VAT is included on the quote unless you are a commercial entity. It is crucial that only skilled tradespeople are hired to work on your trees and property, and this is entirely down to you.

PRIOR TO WORK COMMENCING - Your chosen Kirkcaldy tree surgeon will need to make enquiries into the possibility of any trees being protected in your area and make the appropriate steps to ensure that any work can be given the go-ahead from the local authority. Finding a tree has protected status does not imply that work can't be carried out, because even protected trees need maintenance so as to cut back old or damaged wood and ensure the safety of the public.

If your property in Kirkcaldy is situated in a designated conservation area then at least 6 weeks written notice is required to the Local Planning Authority (LPA) prior to any work being performed. However, tree trunks of under 75mm in diameter when measured at 1.5 metres from the ground are free from this requirement. If the branches of a protected tree need to be pruned or thinned to encourage and sustain growth, it's also not necessary to give notice.

After completing a full assessment of your trees health, your chosen Kirkcaldy tree surgeon will determine the necessary remedial treatment and how the required outcome can be achieved with safety in mind. Where there's any chance of falling branches, a full risk assessment will need to be carried out on your property, public spaces, and parts of a neighbour's property that could be impacted. This stage will also ascertain the amount of operatives required and the level of protection needed. This is both personal protection equipment in addition to other safety precautions to keep the public and other property safe from damage or harm.

ON THE DAY OF WORK - Barriers, cones and safety measures should be put in place before any cutting of branches, tree felling or climbing is started, to keep passers-by and unauthorised persons away from the area of work. It might at some stage be necessary to stop the traffic temporarily, if there's any risk of debris falling onto the highway.

Subject to the type of work that is called for a tree surgeon will need different levels of protection. At a bare minimum when doing work with a chainsaw they'll be wearing special protective clothing to avoid serious cutting injuries to the hands, legs and torso. Head and eye protection, and high-vis clothing, must be worn by all operatives involved in the work.

Extra staff will usually be required to help with the safe removal of high branches and heavy sections of tree trunk, particularly if any working at height is involved, and where ladders and associated climbing equipment is being deployed. For removing waste, access to the work site will be needed. Therefore, it is advisable to inform your neighbours, because a lorry or skip will need to be parked as close to the work area as possible whilst work progresses.

AFTER COMPLETION OF WORK - Once the tree work has been finished all the waste can be hauled away and the site cleared of all debris. Your tree surgeon will then sign off and provide you with a certificate of work done, especially in the case of any protected trees. Highways and footpaths can then be re-opened to the public, with any safety measures in public spaces being removed.

Issues or problems should be fixed straight away by approaching the tree surgeon directly. If your tree surgeon is a registered member of a professional association, and there is any further dispute, you can obtain advice and help from the ISA or AA in order to reach an acceptable conclusion.

Skills Needed to be Tree Surgeons in Kirkcaldy

• The ability to work efficiently with others.
• Have the ability to use, maintain and repair machinery and tools.
• Good knowledge of public safety.
• Be professional and capable of completing tasks within a given period.
• Have good customer service skills.
• Have a methodical and systematic way of working.
• Be patient and have the ability to stay focused in times of stress.
• Have the ability to work with your hands.
• Have essential computer skills and know how to perform basic tasks on handheld devices.
• Physical skills like coordination and movement.
• Be conscious of the dangers and complexities involved in all areas of the work.

Protecting Shrubs and Trees in Winter

Whilst you might not believe that the weather conditions in the British Isles are harsh enough to warrant protecting your shrubs and trees, it may be a good idea to take a second look at this. Even the shrubs, trees and plants that we normally think of as hardy, can find the winter season hard to get through, particularly in the colder winter months, and they'll invariably benefit from some extra protection and TLC.

Obviously where trees are concerned it's high winds that can be the biggest problem and despite the fact that many trees will already have shed their leaves by winter, they could still suffer damage in windy weather. If the weather conditions in Kirkcaldy have been windy, and a tree on your property looks to be damaged or in danger of toppling over, it is a good idea to bring in a tree surgeon to assess whether any action is required. Heavy snowfall can also lead to snapped branches, so keep an eye out when this sort of weather is expected. Protection from frost and ice might be required for some trees and shrubs (particularly ones that have been recently planted), and a deep covering of mulch round their bases can help to stop their roots from freezing, and enable them to continue absorbing moisture.

Invasive Tree Roots Kirkcaldy

You might encounter issues when some larger trees which have exceptionally aggressive roots are growing too close to your Kirkcaldy home. These issues could include things like cracked patios, blocked drains and damaged foundations, to name just three. Species like willows, maples, elms and sycamores, are trees that have very intrusive root systems.

If you have plans to grow any new trees on your property, it is advisable to make sure that they are positioned a good distance from pathways, your drainage system, patios and your house. If some of these issues are already being caused by established trees which are growing too close to your dwelling, you should get hold of a tree surgeon in Kirkcaldy for advice and guidance.

This is not really the sort of job you should try and do yourself, and just cutting out the offending tree roots could kill the tree or significantly affect it's overall health. Understanding which roots can be safely cut, and which roots should be left is the domain of the expert, and a seasoned Kirkcaldy arborist will ensure the tree can still get adequate water and nutrients to survive successfully for many years to come.

Subterranean drains are extremely attractive to shrub and tree roots, as they provide a constant source of nutrients and moisture, and they can regularly suffer structural damage. Small tree roots can soon grow into a drainage system's joints, and once established grow into massive root balls which can cause joint failure and an eventual blockage. Some Kirkcaldy tree surgeons will offer professional root removal solutions, which will either involve using manual rodding, high pressure water jetting or mechanical equipment. (Tags: Invasive Tree Roots Kirkcaldy, Tree Root Problems Kirkcaldy, Drain Root Removal Kirkcaldy, Problem Tree Roots Kirkcaldy).

Tree Preservation Orders & Conservation Areas Kirkcaldy

Before you do any major work on your trees in Kirkcaldy, you need to make certain that there is not a TPO (Tree Preservation Order) on any of them. You local planning authority is the place to go to find out if there are any TPOs on your property's trees. A TPO prevents the wilful damage, uprooting, removal, felling, topping, lopping or wilful destruction of any tree that's protected. You could ask your tree surgeon to help with this process, any good one will be happy to offer guidance and advice.

If you currently reside in a conservation area in Kirkcaldy, you should consult with your council regarding any tree surgery work, and if the tree concerned has a diameter of over 75mm (at a point 1.5 metres from ground level), you need to give your local planning authority a minimum of 6 wks written notice.

Chainsaws

The most common piece of equipment that professional tree surgeons in Kirkcaldy use is the chainsaw. It is an effective and versatile tool, but can be very dangerous in unskilled hands. Petrol driven chainsaws are the most popular with tree care professionals, due to their ease of use and portability, although corded electric versions are available, and battery operated chainsaws are getting more popular in some situations. Petrol chainsaws are really the only choice for the heaviest tree work, being extremely powerful and able to effortlessly cut through branches and tree limbs of any proportions.

A chainsaw essentially comprises a rotating motor-driven chain which is lined with a series of sharp teeth that cut through the bark of the tree and the inner wood. For the different operations they perform, there are various types of chainsaw, top-handled for working at height (and which can be operated with one hand), pole saws for hard to reach branches and long distance pruning and rear-handled for working on the ground (two handed).

Whilst it's not the safest thing to be carrying up a tree, it's fairly rare to find a professional Kirkcaldy tree surgeon that doesn't use a chainsaw more or less every day. Being trained in the safe use of chainsaws is a primary prerequisite for any tree surgeon, and is vital before they can be approved by the ISA or the Arboricultural Association (AA).

The most popular makes of chainsaw used in the United Kingdom by tree surgery specialists are Stihl, Hyundai, Makita and Husqvarna, although there are quite a few different makes.

Leylandii Hedge Removal Kirkcaldy

The Leylandii hedge is a commonly chosen option for Kirkcaldy householders who desire both quick growth and privacy. Nevertheless, they have the potential to outgrow their bounds and become laborious to upkeep. When it comes to removing a Leylandii hedge, there are a few important things to consider. 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. In addition, Leylandii hedges can possess deep-rooted systems, underscoring the importance of engaging a certified tree surgeon to remove both the hedge and its roots safely. Finally, once the hedge is removed, you'll need to dispose of the waste responsibly. Overall, removing a Leylandii hedge can be a time-consuming and potentially dangerous task, so it's important to take the necessary precautions and seek professional help if needed.

Coming Soon:

Stump grinding machines - article 678.

Tree Surgery Tasks Kirkcaldy

Kirkcaldy tree surgeons can normally help you with tree lightening protection, woodland management, crown lifting, crown reduction, root flare exposure in Kirkcaldy, dead wooding, brush cutting services, tree surveys, tree pest control in Kirkcaldy, monitoring of tree health, landscaping in Kirkcaldy, domestic tree surgery, dead-wooding Kirkcaldy, damage restoration, stump treatment in Kirkcaldy, tree reduction, professional tree care in Kirkcaldy, tree planning Kirkcaldy, shielding trees from grazing animals, crown removal Kirkcaldy, waste removal, eco-plugging, tree removal Kirkcaldy, formative pruning, drop crotching, site clearance, stump grinding in Kirkcaldy, tree bracing, tree topping Kirkcaldy, tree fertilising, decompaction Kirkcaldy, tree staking in Kirkcaldy, shrub maintenance, tree waste removal, tree maintenance and other tree surgeon services in Kirkcaldy, Scotland. These are just a few of the tasks that are undertaken by local tree surgeons. Kirkcaldy professionals will be happy to tell you about their full range of services.

Tree Surgeons Near Kirkcaldy: Also find: Kinghorn tree surgeons, Kinglassie tree surgeons, Windygates tree surgeons, Thornton tree surgeons, Auchtertool tree surgeons, Coaltown of Balgonie tree surgeons, Cardenden tree surgeons, West Wemyss tree surgeons, Markinch tree surgeons, Lochore tree surgeons, Aberdour tree surgeons, Dysart tree surgery and more. The majority of these towns and villages are served by trained tree surgeons. Kirkcaldy householders can obtain tree surgery quotations by clicking here.

(Sourced from tree surgeons Kirkcaldy text version four.)

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