Tree Surgeons Southport

Folks in Southport who try to do tree work themselves, or by using an unqualified operative could risk causing damage to the trees, to property and to life. However, even for professional tree surgeons who are acquainted with all the risks, tree work is not entirely safe. On average there are 140 major injuries and 3 deaths each year within the profession, making it among the most hazardous jobs in the UK and certainly not for amateurs to try.

With falling trees and branches causing around 5 deaths each year in Britain, a danger to life can even be caused by a damaged or neglected tree. If property is damaged, or an injury occurs due to you bringing in somebody to conduct tree work, you could be liable for any compensation to any third-party. This is why it is important to employ an accredited tree surgeon to carry out the work on your trees in Southport. (The source of the above figures was HSE).

There are 2 main industry bodies, one or both of which a skilled tree surgeon in Southport should be a signed up member of. Both the Arboricultural Association (AA) and the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) offers a website where you can view the professional status and membership of any tree surgeon in Southport. To determine whether any particular tree surgeon has ARB Approved Contractor status and has membership of either of these 2 organisations, you can check out this page.

If a problem springs up during or after any tree work has been completed you will be able to get hold of these industry organisations for arbitration assistance and for help and guidance at any point.

If anyone offers to provide you with a price quote for any tree work and they aren't on this directory list, you should courteously decline their offer of work and find an approved contractor. As soon as you are reassured of their accreditations and professional memberships you should try to get at least three different estimates from various companies in and around Southport. There are various important questions that you need to ask while you're gathering the quotations, and due to the risks of the work involved, you should make it abundantly clear that you need to know the answers. You should for example ask:

• How much insurance cover is provided? Your tree surgeon should be able to produce an insurance certificate covering no less than £5 Million public liability, as outlined by the AA and ISA.
• Do you give quotations in writing? Only ever accept a quote in writing. NEVER settle for a verbal quote alone.
• Can I inspect the standard of your work by contacting a person you've recently worked for? It's a good idea to carry out an independent check of any recent work.
• Do you have a NPTC/LANTRA certificate for the use of a chainsaw, and documentary verification of your qualifications and professional memberships? Any tree surgeon who uses a chainsaw, must by law have a NPTC/LANTRA certificate. A certified Southport tree surgeon could hold Certificates and National Diplomas in Arboriculture.

The written quotation must include easy to follow specifics of the tree work being undertaken. It should state who is responsible for the removal of debris, tree branches and stumps, and should also include details about any trees which may be protected, and the steps necessary to obtain permission to carry out work on them. Unless you are a commercial entity, you should also make sure that VAT is included on the quotation. Realising that you have a responsibility for hiring only qualified tradespeople to work on your trees and property, is crucial.

PRIOR TO WORK COMMENCING - Checking whether any of your trees are covered by a a TPO (tree protection order), your preferred Southport tree surgeon should ensure that any work gets the go-ahead from the relevant local authority department. Finding a tree has protected status does not imply that work cannot be carried out, because even protected trees need maintenance in order to cut back old or dead wood and ensure the safety of the public.

If your property in Southport is within a conservation area, the Local Planning Authority (LPA) will require a minimum of six weeks written notice of any proposed tree work. This is only required for trees with a stem diameter of more than 7.5cm in diameter, at a point 1.5m above the ground. Written notice is also not a requirement if pruning or thinning of a protected tree's branches is necessary to sustain and encourage growth.

After fully assessing the health of the trees on your property, your Southport tree surgeon will determine the necessary treatments and how the required outcome can safely be achieved. Where there is any chance of falling debris, a risk assessment will need to be carried out on your property, public areas, and parts of neighbouring properties that could be impacted. This stage will also establish the level of protection needed and the amount of workers required. To keep property and the general public safe from damage or harm, this will include both PPE (personal protective equipment) and other safety measures.

ON THE DAY OF WORK - Before any tree felling, cutting of branches or climbing begins, barriers and safety measures will be put in place to keep passers-by and unauthorised persons away from the area where work is going on. It might at some stage be necessary to stop the traffic temporarily, if there is any threat of debris falling onto the highway.

The tree surgeon will need varying degrees of protection subject to the kind of work being executed. At the very least when doing chainsaw work they're going to be wearing protective clothing to prevent serious cutting injuries to the legs, hands and torso. Every worker involved in the operation, should at all times be wearing eye and head protection, and high visibility clothing.

If any working at height is involved, associated climbing equipment and ladders will have to be used, and extra workers will be there to help in the safe removal of high branches and heavy pieces of tree trunk. A truck or skip for removing the waste will be parked as close to the work area as possible, so it's advisable to inform your nearby neighbours of the need for access.

UPON COMPLETION OF WORK - On completion of all the work, the area can be cleared of all debris, and all of the branches and waste can be hauled away. Particularly where the trees are covered by TPOs, a certificate of work done will then be created by your tree surgeon, which can be signed off and a copy presented to you. If there were any public areas that required safety measures, this can be taken away and pathways and roads will be re-opened.

Issues or problems should be fixed immediately by approaching your tree surgeon directly. If your tree surgeon is a registered member of a professional trade body, and any further arbitration is required, you can receive advice and guidance from the ISA or AA in order to come to a satisfactory conclusion.

Woodland Clearance Southport

Engaging in woodland clearance in the Southport area can have national and local restrictions and regulations in force, subject to where your land is, and what bio-diversity is found in the area to be cleared. To make certain all pertinent permits are gathered, land covenants and restrictions are observed, and that all strategies for clearing the area are environmentally sound, a competent Southport tree surgeon should be chosen to manage and undertake the project.

An accredited company will communicate with national and local woodland authorities and organisations to conduct a full habitat survey. Mitigation procedures may have to be used if there is protected animal species or vegetation in the area; this could involve replanting of trees and relocation of wildlife, such as bats or reptiles to a different protected site.

The specialized and expensive gear that's employed in woodland clearance, means it is far more cost efficient to engage a professional tree surgeon to manage your clearance project.

Control of Vegetation

It's not just the removal and maintenance of trees that your local Southport tree surgeon will be happy to assist you with, but also any sort of rampant plant growth which is jungling up your garden. Some tree surgeons will be prepared to remove shrubs, weeds, bushes and overgrown vegetation that might be thriving close to driveways, patios, walkways, buildings or sheds, and generally creating a hassle. If you are to maintain your precious garden correctly then all of this ever increasing growth needs to be eradicated regularly, and if you've got the inclination and time this is a task that you may tackle by yourself if you are reasonably fit, or you can book in a local tree surgeon to come once a year to make certain it is looking good. The control of vegetation is crucial if you're going to maintain easy and safe access to every part of your garden and if this is not done the vegetation can very quickly take over and lessen the enjoyment of your garden. Apart from everything else your garden will also look a lot better when properly maintained. (Tags: Vegetation Control Merseyside, De-Vegetation Services Merseyside, Vegetation Management Southport)

Accidents Through Tree Surgery

As has been previously mentioned in this article, the work carried out by tree care professionals in Southport can be fairly dangerous. When working on trees, there is a considerable risk of injuries to both operatives, co-workers and passers-by, so all reasonable safety measures should be taken.

As reported by the HSE (Health & Safety Executive), a large majority of serious and fatal injuries are related to falls from trees, the use of chainsaws, and being struck by a falling branch or tree. In fact, arborists and co-workers involved in tree care work are more at risk of being seriously injured than those who are working in construction.

The most accident claims, when it comes to insurance, are for slipping from ladders, being struck by objects (ropes, trees, branches, cranes, grapple hooks etc) and lifting injuries.

This should all help you to appreciate why it is so critical to hire an experienced tree surgeon in Southport. Unskilled workers attempting tasks that they have not been trained to do, accounts for a lot of accidents in the tree care sector. Consequently, to avoid this kind of problem, always try to use an established and trustworthy company which has been working in the Southport area for a good few years.

Dutch Elm Disease

Although Dutch Elm Disease (Ophiostoma novo-ulmi) is not quite the issue it once was, during the last 50 years or more it has wiped out tens of millons of elm trees all over the British Isles. Caused by a fungus called Ophiostoma novo-ulmi which is spread by the elm bark beetle (particularly the Scolytus genus), Dutch Elm Disease was imported into the British Isles unintentionally in the late nineteen sixties from Canada.

Its fast spread was ascribed mainly to elm products such as crates, saplings, bark mulch, and logs with the bark on, being transported throughout Great Britain. It wasn't just the UK that was affected by this dreadful disease, as the stocks of elms were also ravaged in mainland Europe, North America and New Zealand.

The symptoms of Dutch Elm disease generally first materialize in early summer, and manifest themselves as:

• Clusters of leaves turning yellow and wilting.
• Dark streaks under the bark of twigs.
• Twigs that turn into a "shepherd's crook" shape.
• Shoots that die back from the tip.

Since there are now hardly any large elms in the UK countryside, the elm bark beetle's habitat has been pretty much removed, the result of which has been a slowing down of DED. There is currently a continuing project for the propagation of young trees that are resistant to Dutch Elm Disease.

If you have suspicions that you may have infected elm trees in your garden in Southport, you could request a diagnosis from the THDAS (Tree Health Diagnostic and Advisory Service), or get hold of your local tree surgeon for advice.

Skills and Knowledge Required by Tree Surgeons in Southport

• Have a good understanding of public safety and security.
• Be professional and capable of completing tasks within a set time frame.
• Physical skills like movement and coordination.
• Patience and the ability to remain focused in stressful circumstances.
• The cabability to work efficiently with other folks.
• To be thorough and pay close attention to detail.
• Excellent customer skills.
• Have the ability to work well with your hands.
• Have the ability to maintain, repair and use tools and equipment.
• Have essential computer skills and know how to perform basic tasks with handheld devices.
• Be conscious of the complexities and dangers involved with the various aspects of work.

Cable Bracing Southport

A procedure that is employed to provide support for a tree when it's showing signs of damage or decay or is a risk to nearby property or persons, cable bracing can be very beneficial in particular circumstances. This strategy is generally used on highly valued or older trees in Southport, where the felling or removal of large unstable portions needs to be avoided for aesthetic reasons.

A cable bracing system can be useful for supporting any weak tree limbs, V-shaped forks and defective joints that are causing problems. By the installation of cables and rods most tree surgeons in Southport will be able to redistribute structural tension and extend the life of old and valuable trees using different forms of bracing work.

Cable bracing doesn't cause damage to the tree (as could happen when drilling and bolting the branches), and provides a flexible and shock-absorbing means of support that is essentially non-invasive. Before any cable bracing work can begin, a thorough risk risk assessment should be undertaken to guarantee the safety of the tree and encircling areas.

Tree Surveys Southport

There are various reasons why you might require a tree survey, and the most common is for property extension or land development. If you happen to be clearing a piece of land to make space for a new house or an extension to an existing property in Southport, for instance, you might need to perform a tree survey to BS5837 British Standards if trees exist upon that land. All surveys on trees should be conducted by an accredited tree surveyor or tree surgeon, irrespective of whether they are being undertaken on public or private property in Southport.

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

• The diameter of each tree (taken 1.5m above the ground).
• The height of each tree.
• The physiological and structural health of the trees.
• The age of the trees (i.e. young, semi-mature, mature, over-mature and veteran).
• The existence of any TPOs.
• The species of trees on the site.
• The number of trees (those of more than 75mm diameter 1.5m from ground level).
• A unique reference number for each of the trees.
• The life expectancy of the trees.
• Tree management advice.
• The spread of the branches towards the West, South, East and North.

A tree survey will probably not be needed if you aren't increasing the property's footprint nor are you changing the access points or service lines of an existing home in Southport.

Wood Chipping Southport

The majority of Southport tree surgeons will use wood chipping machinery to chop up the smaller limbs and branches that are generated by their work. These awesome wood chipping systems can gobble up as much as forty tonnes of material every hour, depending on which equipment is being used, however the smaller, more frequently used devices will process around five tonnes each hour.

Chipped down tree branches are of course a lot easier to transport, taking up much less space in the tree surgeon's truck or trailer, and can also be used for mulch, garden pathways, weed prevention, mushroom cultivation, biomass solid fuel, wood pulp, landscaping and ecosystem restoration, to name but a few.

The majority of tree surgeons in Southport will be glad to let you have the wood chippings which have been produced during the tree work, if you have a use for them, if not they will generally take them away to use on other landscaping projects. Whether you need tree surgery or not, you'll appreciate that tree surgeons are a good source for wood chips that you can use throughout your garden in Southport. Some tree surgeons will charge you a fee for wood chips, particularly if you need them to be delivered, others will allow you to have them for nothing.

Popular makes of wood chipping equipment include Forst, Forest Master, Timberwolf and Hyundai.

Storm Damaged Trees Southport

While we're all conscious of the extreme power of Mother Nature, larger trees seem sturdy, strong and able to withstand just about any eventuality. Actually some types of tree can live and continue to grow for hundreds (even thousands) of years and happily do so without any problems.

Extreme weather can however cause significant damage to trees, and besides the ever present danger of falling tree limbs and branches, entire trees can fall down in certain circumstances. High winds and gales are a major issue for trees, and this form of damage is becoming more common in Southport, as the number of violent storms and weather events increases with climate change. Prolonged periods of rain or flooding can cause soil to become saturated, which is another issue for big trees, as is heavy snowfall during wintertime.

It is recommended that you get a competent Southport tree surgeon to examine your trees to reduce the likelihood of issues with your trees in times of severe weather, they will prune and remove any dead or excessively long branches that may be an issue.

Bigger trees can also have lightning rods, copper conductors, or other protection systems installed, to stop them being struck by lightning and to stop surrounding buildings and property being damaged by jumps or "arcs". Trees can be damaged, severely weakened, or even killed by lightning strikes, they can be burned to the ground, split in two, or left vulnerable to pests, disease or decay - not a happy situation! For any of you who reckon that lightning is not that common, there are something like three hundred thousand strikes in Great Britain every year.

If you're worried about the possibility of storm damage to your trees in Southport, you should ask your local tree care specialist what they can do to protect them, and reduce the risk of mishaps occurring. (Tags: Storm Damaged Trees Southport, Storm Damage Prevention Southport, Storm Damage Southport).

Eco-Plugging Stump Removal Southport

The traditional strategy that is used for removing tree stumps by most Southport tree surgeons is stump grinding. However, "eco-plugging" has become more popular as a simpler and less expensive alternative to this technique. Eco-plugging is not just less expensive, but it's also useful for use in hard-to-reach locations where there are stump grinding accessibility problems.

Eco-plugging is an effective treatment for eliminating tree stumps and has no effect on the surrounding vegetation and trees. Eco-plugs eliminate a tree stump by destroying the whole root system, and can be employed in all weather conditions, and at any time of the year. Containing a form of granular glyphosate herbicide, eco-plugs are 95-100 percent effective, and is suitable for treating a wide range of trees.

Coming Soon:

Stump grinding machines - article 678.

Tree Surgery Tasks Southport

Southport tree surgeons will likely help with tree pollarding, tree care, root grinding, air spading, brush cutting in Southport, woodland management in Southport, coppicing Southport, tree fertilising, tree staking, tree removal, retrenchment pruning, crown raising, tree bracing Southport, cut sealing, decompaction, tree dismantling, tree lightening protection Southport, damage restoration Southport, domestic tree care, dead wooding, stump removal Southport, shielding trees from grazing animals, vegetation management in Southport, shrub maintenance in Southport, arboriculture, crown thinning in Southport, waste removal Southport, hedge cutting, tree work, tree maintenance, fruit tree pruning, crown cleaning in Southport, tree surveys, soil terravention, hazard assessment and other tree surgeon services in Southport, Merseyside. These are just a small portion of the activities that are performed by local tree surgeons. Southport specialists will be happy to tell you about their whole range of services.

More Southport Trades: Naturally, when you happen to be having tree surgery done in Southport, Merseyside, you are likely to be in need of other garden related services, and together with a tree surgeon in Southport, Merseyside, you might also need patio layers in Southport, garden wall construction in Southport, garden design in Southport, block paving in Southport, grass cutting services in Southport, hard landscaping in Southport, topiary in Southport, garden clearances in Southport, garden pond builders in Southport, garden waste removal in Southport, fencers in Southport, garden decking in Southport, garden digging services in Southport, garden shed builders in Southport, artifical grass in Southport, SKIP HIRE in Southport, and other different Southport tradespeople.

Tree Surgeons Near Southport: Also find: Snape Green tree surgeons, Carr Cross tree surgeons, Birkdale tree surgeons, Churchtown tree surgeons, Halsall tree surgeons, Mere Brow tree surgeons, Holmeswood tree surgeons, Smithy Lane Ends tree surgeons, Sollom tree surgeons, Holmes tree surgeons, Scarisbrick tree surgeons, Tarlscough tree surgeons, Rufford tree surgeons, Ainsdale on Sea tree surgery and more. The majority of these locations are covered by tree surgeons. Southport home and property owners can obtain quotes by going here.

(Sourced from tree surgeons Southport text version four.)

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