Tree Surgeons Otford

Playing a crucial role in the maintenance and general care of trees, tree surgeons offer their expert services to both commercial and domestic customers around Otford. An experienced tree surgeon in Otford will provide safe tree planting, the pruning of intrusive, weak or dead branches, felling, inspections and hazard assessments, along with general tree maintenance, to mention just a few examples.

However, it isn't merely trees that float a tree surgeon's boat! Further responsibilities of a tree surgeon in Otford normally include hedge care, maintenance and pruning and stump removal. Because they will be best able to examine your tree, prepare a report on possible hazards, and give advice on what to do next, a tree surgeon is the person to contact if you've any doubts about a tree's structural integrity.

Tree surgery is a highly dangerous undertaking and most certainly something that must only be handled by a professional. Even though the temptation might be to take a do-it-yourself approach and bypass the costs, it probably would not be the smartest decision you had ever made. Tree surgeons must be experienced, physically fit and qualified to undertake the work that they do.

Working at height is invariably hazardous, and the use of dangerous chainsaws and power tools while high up in the air and dangling from a tree is obviously no exception. Novices beware - this is certainly not an activity for you! To accomplish a tree surgery project, a gang of tree surgeons who are all experts in their field, will normally be involved, and this should consist of both climbers and a ground team. An unqualified individual would find it nigh on impossible to execute the work with anything like this level of risk assessment, competence and experience.

As soon as you've decided that you need the help of a professional tree surgeon in Otford, you will have to take measures to find a really good one. But, how should you accomplish this? Well, you will want to check out a couple of things, such as qualifications, experience and cost. Below we have summarized some handy tips for obtaining the ideal Otford tree surgeon to care for your trees.

Step one will be to find out if they've got the necessary certifications, this will give you confidence that they're correctly accredited and competent. The National Proficiency Tests Council is the main governing body that issues accreditations to tree surgeons. Any Otford tree surgeon should have the following qualifications at the bare minimum:

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

Because having these qualifications demonstrates that they have completed the correct training, it's well worth tracking down a tree surgeon in Otford that has them, although this is not currently a legal obligation. Holding these certifications should give you the peace of mind that the job will be completed safely and successfully. Since there is always a risk of falling from height, and the possibility of life threatening injuries, it's crucial that tree surgeons, arborists and forestry workers carry a comprehensive First Aid kit, and go through some basic training in First Aid.

Getting a few price quotes will be the next step, as well as checking the breakdown of costs. It is best to obtain 3 or 4 quotes from different tree surgeons in Otford. One thing to watch out for is if the quotation includes the the removal of the large amounts of waste often generated by tree surgery and maintenance, occasionally it won't! It's certainly preferable to get the tree surgeons to remove and dispose of this themselves if possible, since removing such waste can be an enormous cost and inconvenience to you.

Also, be prepared to ask prospective tree surgeons lots of important questions when you meet with them. As an example, you need to establish who will be accessing your property and who is going to be doing the actual work. Can you meet up with them in advance? Will it involve just one individual working alone, or will it be a whole crew of arborists? Will there be any impact of my home or my next door neighbours? What is the timescale for the work? What technique will be used for removing or dealing with your tree?

Don't be frightened to ask lots of questions, as the more you ask, the less likelihood that there'll be any unexpected surprises as work progresses.

Last but not least, listen closely to the way in which tree surgeon speaks. Listening to the ways that they describe the work they are planning to do will give you clues about their standards of expertise and professionalism. If the expression 'topping and lopping' is mentioned, it is recommended that you look for a different tree surgeon, as this is a fairly old-fashioned phrase, which indicates a lack of knowledge in modern tree surgery. Terminology such as 'crown reduction', 'dead wooding', 'pruning', 'crown lifting' and 'crown thinning', will be what you hear from a professional, fully trained and experienced tree surgeon in Otford. While this might not invariably be a sign of ability, it is often a useful clue as to the level of expertise held by your tree surgeon.

In the final analysis, when it comes to tree maintenance or tree surgery, it is always worth considering a variety of different tree surgeons in Otford. This should help you to find the right tradesperson for the job, and one who will make sure all your requirements are fully catered to in a pre-agreed timeframe, with safe practices as a top priority.

Logs/Firewood Otford

Tree surgeons can be a good source for firewood and logs in Otford, if you're looking for this particular commodity. This is no great surprise, as tree surgeons spend most of their life cutting down trees and branches.

Some tree surgeons in the Otford area will be happy to let you have logs and branches cost-free, because they've always got plenty of them to get rid of, whilst others will charge you for chopped and seasoned logs which have been dried out and are ready to burn.

Chucking "wet" logs on your wood burner or open fire is not a great idea, and will produce a lot of smoke and block up your flue. Only use logs which have been dried out for a minimum of 12 months and have a moisture level of 20% or lower. Most often tree surgeons in Otford will have supplies of assorted hardwood logs, and the advantage of these is that they give a sustained burn, providing three or four hours of comforting heat. The downside of hardwood is that it can be quite challenging to get going, therefore if you are able to acquire some softwood logs, these are great for initially getting your fire burning. (Tags: Firewood and Logs Otford, Firewood Logs Otford, Firewood Otford, Softwood Logs Otford).

Vegetation Control

It's not merely the removal and maintenance of trees that your local Otford tree surgeon will be prepared to help you with, but also any kind of proliferating plant growth that's clogging up your land or garden. Experienced tree surgeons will normally be prepared to get rid off bushes, overgrown vegetation, shrubs and weeds that may be growing close to buildings, garages, sheds, paths or drives, and causing an issue. If you're to manage your garden effectively then this excessive growth should be taken away at least once a year, and if you've got the time and inclination then this is unquestionably something that you can tackle on your own if you're fit and able, or you might get your local tree surgeon to pay a visit once a year to keep it looking good. Vegetation management is important if you are to maintain easy and safe access to every section of your property and if this isn't done the plants and vegetation will very quickly take over and take a lot of the enjoyment out of your garden. Aside from anything else your garden will also look a lot better when properly maintained. (Tags: Vegetation Management Kent, De-Vegetation Services Kent, Vegetation Control Kent)

Woodland Clearance Otford

Engaging in woodland clearance in the Otford area can have local and national regulations and restrictions in place, subject to where your land is, and what fauna and flora is found in the space to be cleared. A qualified tree surgeon in Otford will provide you with a comprehensive service that will observe all covenants and laws on the land, and will also complete the project an eco-friendly and ethical way.

A detailed site survey will be performed by a professional tree surgeon who'll also collaborate with woodland authorities and organisations to ensure that your woodland clearance is done safely and legally. It may be that the land in question has got protected plant species or animals on it, which will need to be relocated to another protected site, or other mitigation procedures may need to be employed.

The expensive and specialist felling, mulching and chipping equipment that's employed in woodland clearance means that it's far more cost effective and efficient to bring in a certified tree surgeon to undertake the project. (Tags: Woodland Preservation Otford, Woodland Management Otford, Woodland Clearances Otford, Woodland Clearance Otford).

The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA)

A non-profit international organisation that is based in Georgia, USA, the International Society of Arboriculture is often referred to just as the ISA. A membership association serving the tree care industry all over the world, the ISA cultivates the professional practice of arboriculture.

The ISA has its focus on best tree care practices, encouraging those involved in the tree care sector develop their skills, knowledge and arboricultural expertise, by promoting educational services, events and publications.

After signing a partnership agreement with them the Arboricultural Association (AA) became an associate organisation of the International Society of Arboriculture in mid-2016. This strengthened the relationship between the AA and ISA and provided further opportunities for ISA members in the UK and Ireland. UK members of the AA are now able to reap the benefits of being part of a global network of tree care professionals. The ISA now has professional affiliates and associate organisations in South Africa, Asia, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, and now has a worldwide membership of over 22000.

Hedge Trimming Otford

While the majority of work performed by tree surgeons in Otford involves the maintenance and care of trees, the trimming and cutting back of hedges is another job that they are able to carry out. Homeowners will often find Leylandii and other conifer hedges tricky to deal with, since they can grow tall very quickly - therefore a professional tree surgeon might be required for the work.

Pretty quickly spiraling out of control, a hedge which is poorly maintained and uncared for has the opportunity to become overgrown. If you prefer to have a hedge that doesn't overwhelm your garden in Otford, routine clipping is a must, and this is vital not just for cosmetic reasons, but also to make your hedge much healthier.

If your intentions are to sell your property, tidy hedges will help to make your entire garden look neater, and might even increase the value of your home in Otford. You can also get hedge trimming services in Chelsfield, Well Hill, Heaverham, Knockholt, Dunton Green, Shoreham, Romney Street, Twitton, Noah's Ark, Badgers Mount, Cotman's Ash, Sundridge, Kemsing, and Otford, Kent. (Tags: Hedge Trimming Otford, Hedge Cutting Otford, Hedge Clipping Otford, Hedge Maintenance Otford).

Tree Care Injuries

As we have already stated, tree surgeons and tree care professionals in Otford carry out work that can be pretty dangerous. With there being a considerable risk of injuries to both operatives and passers-by, all possible precautions should be taken when working on trees.

It would seem (as stated by the HSE), that falls from trees, the use of chainsaws, and being struck by a falling branch or tree are responsible for a large majority of fatal and major injuries that are related to tree work. The startling fact is that arborists and co-workers involved in tree care work are more at risk of serious injury than those who are working in building and construction.

The most commonplace tree surgery accidents when it comes to insurance claims, involve being struck by objects (cranes, branches, grapple hooks, ropes, trees etc), falling from ladders and lifting injuries.

All this emphasises the importance of hiring a competent Otford tree surgeon when work needs to be done on your trees. Inexperienced workers attempting tasks that they have not been trained to do, accounts for most accidents in the tree care sector. Using a reputable and experienced company that's been trading in the Otford area for a good few years, is the most effective way to sidestep such issues, and get your tree surgery work completed safely and correctly.

Problems With Tree Roots Otford

When they are growing too close to your home in Otford, some trees have particularly aggressive roots, and can be troublesome. Issues that may occur include damaged foundations, cracked patios and blocked drains. Species like maples, elms, sycamores and willows, are trees that have extremely invasive root systems.

Keeping any new trees that you plant, as far as possible away from paths, your drainage pipes, your house and patio areas, is advisable to avoid future complications. If existing trees are growing too near to your house and are causing some of these problems, you should contact a tree surgeon in Otford, to see what can be done to rectify the situation.

To avoid severely harming the health of your tree or even killing it off altogether, you certainly should not just cut through the invasive tree roots in an effort to deal with this yourself. A seasoned tree surgeon in Otford will know precisely which roots should be left in place, and which roots can be cut, so that any damage to property is minimised, but the tree is still able to get adequate water and food to thrive and survive.

Underground drains are highly attractive to tree and shrub roots, as they provide a continuous source of moisture and nutrients, and they can sometimes suffer cracks and structural damage. A drainage system's joints can easily be compromised by small roots, which once established can grow into huge root balls and ultimately cause joint failure and blockages. Some Otford tree surgeons will provide professional root removal services, which will probably include the use of manual rodding, high pressure jetting or mechanical equipment.

Tree Surveys Otford

Tree surveys could be needed for a number of reasons, but the most common is when property extension or development is concerned. If you're clearing a piece of land in Otford which has trees on it, to make way for an extension to an existing property or a brand new home, you will need to carry out a professional tree survey as set out by the British Standards BS5837. Whether a tree survey is being performed on a public or private property, it should be completed by a qualified Otford arborist or tree surgeon.

A wide range of information will be gleaned about the trees within the area specified. For instance:

• The predicted life expectancy of the trees.
• The species of trees on the site.
• The ages of the trees (i.e. young, semi-mature, mature, over-mature and veteran).
• Guidelines for tree management.
• The existence of any TPOs (Tree Preservation Orders).
• The structural and physiological health of the trees.
• The height of each tree in metres.
• A unique tree reference number for each of the trees.
• The diameter of each tree (taken 1.5m above ground level).
• The branch spread towards the West, North, East and South.
• The number of trees.

A tree survey will likely not be required if you are not changing the property's footprint and are not changing the service lines or access points of an existing property in Otford. (Tags: Tree Survey Otford, Tree Surveyors Otford, Otford Tree Surveys, Tree Surveys Otford).

Tree Preservation Orders Otford

You must make sure there is no TPO (Tree Preservation Order) on any of your trees in Otford, before you perform any significant work on them. If you make contact with your local planning authority, they'll inform you whether any trees on your property are subject to a Tree Preservation Order. If there are Tree Preservation Orders on any of your trees, you'll need written consent from the local authority to conduct any of the following: wilful destruction, topping, lopping, uprooting, wilful damage, removal or cutting down. Any reputable tree surgeon in Otford will be happy to help you with this process.

If you currently live inside a conservation area in Otford, you should always consult with your council about any tree surgery work that you plan to conduct, and if the tree involved has a diameter of over 75 millimetres (at a point 1.5 metres from the ground), you need to give your local planning authority at least 6 weeks written notice.

Pollarding Otford

Where a tree has significantly gotten too big for its current setting, it needs to be substantially reduced in size by the use of a procedure referred to as pollarding. The encouragement of cultivated qualities and the transforming of trees into particular shapes can also be accomplished by the pollarding process. You'll quite often see trees that have been pollarded beside roads in Otford, and also pretty frequently in hedgerows For individuals who love trees this isn't a popular process, because the consequence tends to be rather stark and bare, with the overall appearance of being almost dead. The advantageous side of the pollarding process, is that trees which might normally have to be removed can be retained. Pollarding is regularly done on broad-leafed tree species like oaks, planes, beeches, horse chestnuts, limes, sycamores and maples. (Tags: Tree Pruning Otford, Tree Pollarding Otford, Pollarding Otford)

Stump Grinding

If you've got a requirement for specialist services like stump grinding in Otford, ensuring you employ a firm with the appropriate equipment and knowhow is extremely important. Expert tree surgeons should be able to eradicate all of the stump to twelve inches or more below the surface. Working with the proper equipment ensures that they're able to extract roots and stumps to right up against walls and buildings while avoiding damage. This tailor-made grinding apparatus is so flexible that it can even remove stumps that are growing in alleys, passageways and other usually inaccessible locations. If you are removing a large tree the remaining stump may be quite substantial and no matter what you are intending to use the resulting space for, the probability is that the leftover stump will have to be removed to a good depth. (Tags: Stump Removal Otford, Tree Stump Grinding Otford, Stump Grinding Otford)

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Stump grinding machines - article 246.

Tree Surgery Tasks Otford

Otford tree surgeons will likely help you with dead-wooding, tree planning, hedge reduction, woodland management, emergency tree removal, site clearance, tree transplanting Otford, damage restoration, hedge cutting, tree watering, forestry management Otford, cut sealing, crown removal in Otford, expert tree care, hedge planting, woodchipping, fruit tree pruning, tree dismantling, formative pruning, tree lopping, tree work in Otford, shielding trees from grazing, vegetation management, tree removal, crown cleaning Otford, stump removal in Otford, decompaction in Otford, tree replanting Otford, tree lightening protection Otford, pollarding, tree topping, tree cutting, root grinding in Otford, retrenchment pruning in Otford, damaged tree removal and other tree surgeon services in Otford, Kent. Listed are just a few of the duties that are carried out by local tree surgeons. Otford professionals will keep you informed about their full range of services.

Tree Surgeons Near Otford: Also find: Well Hill tree surgeons, Sundridge tree surgeons, Dunton Green tree surgeons, Twitton tree surgeons, Heaverham tree surgeons, Noah's Ark tree surgeons, Chelsfield tree surgeons, Shoreham tree surgeons, Knockholt tree surgeons, Romney Street tree surgeons, Kemsing tree surgeons, Cotman's Ash tree surgeons, Badgers Mount tree surgery and more. The majority of these locations are covered by local tree surgeons. Otford property owners and others can get tree surgery estimates by clicking here.

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