Tree Surgeon Aberdeen

Those who employ a non-qualified person, or attempt to do tree work for themselves, may risk damaging property, trees or even life. But even hiring a skilled tree surgeon who is acquainted with all the hazards does not necessarily mean that tree work is safe. There are an average of 3 deaths and 140 severe injuries annually within the industry, making it among the most dangerous jobs in the UK and definitely not for novices to try.

There is also a danger to life from poorly maintained or damaged trees in Aberdeen, as around five people a year are killed in the United Kingdom by falling trees or branches. If you hire someone to do tree work and subsequently an injury, or damage to property occurs, you may well be liable for any compensation to a third-party due to the consequences of your actions. These are merely a few of the reasons why it is imperative to hire an experienced tree surgeon to work on your trees. (Figures sourced from HSE UK).

A certified Aberdeen tree surgeon will likely be a registered member of at least one of the two main trade bodies. You can view the membership and professional status of any tree surgeon on the websites of either the International Society of Arboriculture or the Arboricultural Association. Membership of either of these two bodies gives the tree surgeon ARB Approved Contractor status which can be checked on this page.

If an issue springs up during or after any tree work has been finished you are able to get in touch with these professional associations for assistance in arbitration and for help and advice at any stage.

If anyone offers you a quotation for any tree work and you are unable to find them on this directory, you should respectfully decline their offer of work and continue your search for an approved contractor. You should try and get at least three different quotations from various companies in and around Aberdeen once you are reassured of their qualifications and professional memberships. Because of the risks of the work involved, you should ask the questions below, stating you need a response:

• Can you give me a written quotation? Only ever accept a quote in writing. NEVER take a verbal quote only.
• Can you provide a NPTC certificate for the use of a chainsaw, and documentary evidence of your professional memberships and qualifications? The NPTC/LANTRA certificate is required by law for any worker/tree surgeon using a chainsaw. City & Guilds Certificates and National Diplomas in Arboriculture are qualifications that could be held by a decent Aberdeen tree surgeon.
• What is your level of insurance cover? You should not consider a tree surgeon in Aberdeen with less than £5 Million public liability insurance as stipulated by the AA and ISA.
• Would it be possible for me to contact a person you have recently done work for, so that I can assess your workmanship? It is always a good idea to carry out an independent check on recently completed work.

Clear and concise details of all the work that's being undertaken must be included on the written quote. It should include information on any trees which could be protected in law, and the necessary steps to get permission to work on them, and also state who's responsible for the removal of tree branches, stumps and debris. Double check that they have also included VAT on the quote. It is very important to understand that you have a responsibility to hire only trained people to work on your trees and property. This is laid out by the "Common law duty of care responsibilities and sometimes liabilities under the Occupier's Liability Acts of 1957 and 1984."

PRIOR TO WORK BEGINNING - Making enquiries into the possibility of any trees having protected status, your selected Aberdeen tree surgeon should make sure that any tree work can get the green light from the relevant local authorities. Even protected trees need to be maintained in order to cut back old or dead wood and ensure public safety, so finding a tree has protected status doesn't signify that work cannot still be carried out.

If your property in Aberdeen is situated inside a conservation area, the Local Planning Authority will require a minimum of 6 weeks written notice of any planned tree work. This is only required for trees with a stem diameter of more than 7.5 centimetres in diameter, at a point 1.5 metres above ground level. It is also not necessary to give written notice if a protected tree's branches need pruning or thinning simply to sustain and encourage growth.

On site they'll complete a full assessment of your trees and determine the required remedial treatment and how the required outcome can be achieved with safety in mind. Where there is any possibility of falling debris, a full risk assessment will have to be carried out on your property, public spaces, and parts of a neighbour's property that might be affected. At this stage, the level of protection required and the number of operatives needed will also be established. 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 - To keep unauthorised persons away from the area of work, safety measures and barriers will be put in place before any climbing, tree felling or cutting of branches is started. If there's any risk of falling debris into a public road, passing traffic may need to be temporarily stopped.

The tree surgeon will need varying levels of protection subject to the kind of work being completed. When doing basic work with a chainsaw, to avoid cutting injuries to the legs, torso and hands, they will as a bare minimum be wearing special protective clothing. Head and eye protection, and hi-vis clothing, must be worn by all workers involved in the operation.

Additional workers will usually be needed to help with the removal of high branches and large sections of tree trunk, particularly if any working at height is involved, and where climbing equipment and ladders are being used. A truck or skip for removing the waste will be parked as close to the work area as possible, therefore it's recommended that you inform your nearby neighbours of the need for unhindered access.

UPON COMPLETION OF WORK - All of the waste will be hauled away and the area cleared of any debris, when all the work has been completed. A certificate of work done will then be prepared by your tree surgeon, particularly where the trees are covered by TPOs, which will be signed off and a copy presented to you. Footpaths and highways can then be re-opened, with any safety measures in public spaces being taken away.

Issues or problems should be put right immediately by approaching the tree surgeon directly. If there is any further dispute, and your tree surgeon is an approved member of a professional body, you can get guidance and advice from the International Society of Arboriculture or the Arboricultural Association so as to arrive at a satisfactory solution.

Local Aberdeen tree surgeons will most likely have the telephone code 01224 and the postcode AB10. They will work in Aberdeen itself, along with nearby areas like Northfield, Milltimber, Torry, Kincorth, Persley, Altens, Hayton, Kittybrewster, Mannofield, Woodside, Nigg, Kairnhill, Old Aberdeen, Danestone, Dyce, Mastrick, Westhill, Kingswells, Ruthrieston, and these postcodes: AB10 1PG, AB10 1BH, AB10 1PU, AB10 1WE, AB10 1NN, AB10 1BE, AB10 1RX, AB10 1TQ, AB10 1QD, AB10 1UF.

If you need this type of service it's definitely a good idea to bring in a qualified tree surgeon. Aberdeen residents can benefit from the expertise and know-how that a trained professional can offer.

Ash Dieback (Hymenoscyphus Fraxineus)

A damaging fungal disease that's likely to decimate approximately 80 percent of the current British ash trees, in the next few years, ash dieback (Hymenoscyphus fraxineus) was first documented in the UK in 2012, when a nursery imported a couple of thousand trees from Holland. Set to have huge ramifications for our countryside, ash dieback is destined to be just as catastrophic as the previous epidemic of Dutch Elm Disease (DED).

A disease that affects trees of the Fraxinus genus, it has a particularly disastrous effect on Fraxinus excelsior, the common ash that is native to the British Isles. Believed to have originated in Asia where the native species of ash (the Manchurian ash and the Chinese ash) were more resistant, the fungus which causes the disease is called Hymenoscyphus fraxineus (H. fraxineus), and it obstructs a tree's water transport systems, causing it to die.

Quickly spread by spores which are able to travel on the wind for many miles, ash dieback can now be found in most areas of Great Britain with mortality rates of up to 85 percent.

Ash dieback strikes trees of all ages and has the following symptoms:

• Leaves with dark patches that develop during mid to late summer.
• New growth appearing from previously dormant buds (epicormic growth).
• Wilting leaves that turn black and fall early.
• The formation of diamond shaped, brown lesions where limbs connect to trunk.
• Dying leaves and shoots are visible in summer.

Ash trees have the ability to fight off the disease to some extent, but sooner or later succumb to sustained attacks. There's not yet any cure for ash dieback, and because it is an airborne disease, no clear way to stop it spreading.

Whilst instances of ash dieback can be reported to the Forestry Commission's "Tree Alert Service", it is so commonplace right through Great Britain that they're really only interested in cases that are discovered in locations not previously affected. If you believe that you have a tree infected with ash dieback on your property in Aberdeen, you can still contact a local tree surgeon, who'll offer guidance on how best to proceed - ultimately the trees or tree will have to be chopped down and removed.

The Use of Chainsaws

With regards to the tools that are used by Aberdeen tree surgeons, the chainsaw is the most commonly seen. Petrol driven chainsaws are the most popular with tree care professionals, due to their ease of use and greater mobility, although mains versions are available, and battery operated chainsaws are growing more popular in certain situations. For effortlessly slicing through large limbs and tree trunks, petrol chainsaws are the only serious option option, being powerful, robust and able to deal with even the most demanding of tree work.

A chainsaw is essentially composed of a revolving motor-driven chain which is armed with a set of teeth that effortlessly cut through the bark of the tree and the wood beneath. For the various different procedures that are required, there are different designs of chainsaw, pole saws for hard to reach branches and long distance pruning, rear-handled for working on the ground (two handed) and top-handled for working at height (and which can be used with one hand).

Although carrying a rapidly twirling blade while balancing precariously up a tree is certainly not the safest job in the world, it is pretty rare to find a professional Aberdeen tree surgeon who doesn't use a chainsaw in his/her daily work. Being trained in the safe use of chainsaws is a key requirement for any tree surgeon, and is vital before they can even be considered for membership of the ISA or the Arboricultural Association.

There are quite a few different makes and models of chainsaw, but the most popular ones used by tree surgery specialists in Aberdeen are Stihl, Makita, Husqvarna and Hyundai.

Emergency Tree Care Aberdeen

There may be some occasions when you have to contact a tree surgeon in an emergency, if you have trees growing in your Aberdeen garden. Some Aberdeen tree surgeons offer a 24 hour service, and when there are high winds and storms, they typically face an increase in emergency calls. While the risk of a whole tree falling down are slim, there is more potential for branches breaking off and crashing to the ground, during blustery weather. When branches and tree limbs start to fall damaged fences, broken garden furniture, cracked greenhouses and splintered sheds are a common result, so prevention is better than having to cope with the aftermath.

Emergency tree care services will also often be essential to the local council in Aberdeen, as substantial tree branches can snap off and crash onto public pathways, highways and railway lines, requiring rapid attention.

There may be a need for "re-balancing" a tree, even after emergency tree work has been completed, because because of the loss of some large limbs, there could be a weight distribution problem, which could be hazardous but also aesthetically displeasing. A local Aberdeen tree surgeon who offers 24 hour emergency services must be called to deal with all of these problems, and you should not try to tackle them on your own.

Hedge Trimming Aberdeen

While focusing largely on specialist tree care work, tree surgeons in Aberdeen are often involved in the maintenance and routine trimming of hedges. Homeowners will often find conifer hedges like Leylandii hard to cope with, because they grow tall very quickly - so a professional tree surgeon may be needed.

A hedge can pretty quickly become overgrown and out of control when it's uncared for and poorly maintained. If you allow a hedge to run riot in large parts of your garden, it can be tough to fix down the line, therefore routine cutting is recommended for both the aesthetic appeal and health of your hedge.

If you have plans to sell your property, neat hedges will help make your whole garden more tidy, and might even increase the value of your home in Aberdeen. (Tags: Hedge Cutting Aberdeen, Hedge Clipping Aberdeen, Hedge Trimming Aberdeen, Hedge Maintenance Aberdeen).

Tree Stump Removal Aberdeen

When you have a tree felled and removed from your property in Aberdeen, unless agreed with the tree surgeon, you will likely be left with a stump to contend with. In some cases it may be acceptable for you to leave the tree stump where it is until such time as it breaks down and rots away on it's own. However, tree stumps in your garden can attract harmful pests, be a trip hazard, and can even send out "suckers" in an effort to regrow themselves.

There are various methods for getting rid of a tree stump totally, but stump grinding and stump removal are the 2 key choices. Purely for the purposes of this section we'll be focusing on stump removal rather than stump grinding.

In regards to removing a tree stump, the three main methods are digging out by hand, chemical treatments and burning. If you have plans to deal with a stump on your own, you can use any of these approaches. If you're using a tree surgeon in Aberdeen, they will usually plump for the aforementioned stump grinding solution.

Tree Stump Removal by Burning: Since it can be dangerous and might contravene local laws, burning a tree stump is not really recommended, so if you choose this technique, be very careful. It involves drilling some one inch holes into the stump and continually filling and topping up the holes with vegetable oil for a number of days. You can then stack charcoal around the tree stump and set light to it. But, this must be continually supervised and not left unwatched. When the fire has burnt out, you must ensure that it is fully extinguished and cooled off, after which you will be able to manually dig out the roots and burnt stump remains.

A different option is shoveling out all the soil from beneath the stump and lighting a fire in the void underneath. You should never set light to a tree stump if it's close to other trees, fences or a building.

Chemical Stump Treatments: A powerful chemical solution such as Vitax SBK Stump Killer, Resolva Xtra Tough Tree Stump Killer or Roundup Tree Stump Remover, will be required if you decide to go with the chemical treatment option. You must always read and follow the instructions closely for quantities, applications and timings for these chemicals, and bear in mind that they are toxic and oftentimes flammable. This should be seen as a long, rather than short term stump removal solution, since it could take quite a few weeks to rot away, subject to its dimensions. It will still have to be removed with an axe and a spade once it has completely rotted away.

Hand Stump Digging: Digging by hand is quite self-explanatory and involves digging down, cutting all the roots, and releasing the stump. Some form of cable ratchet winch may be required for the final lifting out procedure. This is tiring and tedious work.

Eco-Plugging Stump Removal Aberdeen

If you've got large tree stumps in your garden that need to be removed, the common method that's used by most Aberdeen tree surgeons is stump grinding. However, "eco-plugging" is becoming increasingly more popular as a simpler and less expensive solution to this issue. Not only is this method cheaper, but it can also be employed where there are stump grinding accessibility problems, in awkward and hard-to-reach locations.

Eco-plugging is a highly effective treatment for killing off tree stumps and has no effect on any nearby trees and vegetation. Eco-plugs eliminate a stump by killing off the whole root system, and can be utilised in any weather conditions, and at any time of the year. Containing a kind of crystalline glyphosate herbicide which is effective on a wide range of tree species, eco-plugs give good results in 95% to 100% of cases. (Tags: Eco-Plugging Tree Stumps Aberdeen, Eco-Plugs Aberdeen, Eco-Plug Treatments Aberdeen, Eco-Plugging Aberdeen).

Health and Safety Considerations

Tree surgery can soon become a very dangerous procedure if carried out badly, hence one of the key concerns is the health and safety issue. If the "tradesmen" carrying out the work are incapable or inexperienced, there are plenty of factors that can lead to damage or injury such as not cordoning off the area to safeguard vehicles and the public, failing to wear cut resistant clothing (especially trousers and boots), not putting on eye or hearing protection, falling timber and branches, inadequate head protection and no fall protection, in the shape of harnesses, ropes and platforms. On account of these incompetencies, most likely susceptible are the street facilities, pedestrians, the tree surgeon (up the tree), the groundsperson, the tree itself, passing and stationary vehicles, the property or home, the property owners family, garden outbuildings and fences.

The ISA (International Society of Arboriculture)

The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) is a non-profit, international organisation based in Atlanta, GA, USA, and it fosters the awareness and benefits of trees. Championing the professional practice of arboriculture, the ISA is a membership association that serves the tree care industry across the globe.

Enabling those in the tree care industry to develop their knowledge, arboricultural expertise and skills, the ISA is firmly focused on technology, research and education, which it makes available through educational services, publications and events.

During mid-2016 the UK's Arboricultural Association became an associate organisation of the International Society of Arboriculture after signing a partnership agreement with them. Offering further opportunities for ISA members in the United Kingdom and Ireland, this also strengthened the relationship between the 2. AA members in the UK now benefit from being part of a network of tree care professionals from all over the world. With associate organisations and professional affiliates in EXTRAtree removal in Aberdeen, damage restoration, tree planning, hedge laying, shielding trees from grazing animals Aberdeen, formative pruning Aberdeen, dead wooding, site clearance, crown reduction, eco-plugging, stump treatment, tree watering, hedge reduction, tree management, felling of storm damaged trees, root pruning, arboriculture Aberdeen, tree maintenance, forestry management, waste removal, crown cleaning, tree bracing, shrub maintenance, soil terravention, tree waste removal, tree fertilising, vegetation management in Aberdeen, coppicing, tree dismantling Aberdeen, hedge trimmingTEN, and the UK, the International Society of Arboriculture now has over 22000 members worldwide.

The Daily Duties of a Tree Surgeon

• Produce on-site or telephone quotations with the clients.
• Identify dangers posed by trees.
• Work with customers and complete admin duties.
• Evaluate the health of trees and create plan of action.
• Climb trees to remove or prune branches as required.
• Tidy up work area upon completion and remove waste from client's site.
• Cut and chip logs and branches.
• Fell and remove trees and grind stumps.
• Be adept with power tools and other powered machinery.
• Tree planting and transplanting.
• Service equipment like wood chippers and chainsaws.
• Produce tree survey reports for commercial and domestic clients.

Dutch Elm Disease

While Dutch Elm Disease (Ophiostoma novo-ulmi) is not quite the issue that is was previously, over the past fifty years or more it has killed many millions of elm trees all around the British Isles. Spread by the elm bark beetle (particularly the Scolytus genus) and caused by a fungus called Ophiostoma novo-ulmi, Dutch Elm Disease (DED) was unintentionally brought into Britain from Canada in the late Sixties.

After arriving, it quickly spread through the transportation of elm products like saplings, crates, bark mulch, and logs with the bark still attached. It wasn't just Great Britain that was affected by this awful disease, as the stocks of elms were also destroyed in mainland Europe and North America.

DED usually first appears in early summer, and the main symptoms are:

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

The spread of Dutch Elm Disease has been significantly slowed down by the felling of dead, infected and dying trees, which has effectively removed the beetle's favourite habitat. The propagation of young trees which are so far resistant to DED is a continuing project.

You could ask for a diagnosis from the THDAS (Tree Health Diagnostic & Advisory Service), or you can get in touch with your local tree surgeon for advice and guidance, if you've got elm trees on your property in Aberdeen, and have suspicions they might be afflicted with Dutch Elm Disease.

Trees affected - Ulmus and Zelkova.

Vectors - small beetles of the Scolytus genera.

Cause - fungi Ophiostoma Ulmi & Ophiostoma Novo-Ulmi.

Tree Surgery Tasks Aberdeen

Aberdeen tree surgeons can usually help you with tree removal in Aberdeen, damage restoration, tree planning, hedge laying, shielding trees from grazing animals Aberdeen, formative pruning Aberdeen, dead wooding, site clearance, crown reduction, eco-plugging, stump treatment, tree watering, hedge reduction, tree management, felling of storm damaged trees, root pruning, arboriculture Aberdeen, tree maintenance, forestry management, waste removal, crown cleaning, tree bracing, shrub maintenance, soil terravention, tree waste removal, tree fertilising, vegetation management in Aberdeen, coppicing, tree dismantling Aberdeen, hedge trimming and other tree surgeon services in Aberdeen, Scotland. These are just a small portion of the activities that are handled by a local tree surgeon. Aberdeen specialists will be happy to tell you about their full range of services.

Tree Surgeons Nearby

Also find: Hayton tree surgeon, Kairnhill tree surgeon, Mastrick tree surgeon, Mannofield tree surgeon, Kittybrewster tree surgeon, Nigg tree surgeon, Danestone tree surgeon, Kingswells tree surgeon, Old Aberdeen tree surgeon, Altens tree surgeon, Torry tree surgeon, Kincorth tree surgeon, Woodside tree surgeon, Northfield tree surgeon, Ruthrieston tree surgeon, Milltimber tree surgeon, Persley tree surgeon, Dyce tree surgeon and more. Most of these areas are catered for by local tree surgeons. Business and home owners in the area can acquire quotes for tree surgery by clicking here.

Tree Care Services Aberdeen

Find a Tree Surgeon in Aberdeen Here

• Aberdeen Woodland Management
• Aberdeen Crown Removal
• Aberdeen Tree Planning
• Aberdeen Tree Felling
• Aberdeen Hedge Trimming
• Aberdeen Crown Lifting
• Aberdeen Shrub Maintenance
• Aberdeen Stump Removal
• Aberdeen Tree Replanting
• Aberdeen Root Decompaction
• Aberdeen Wood Chipping
• Aberdeen Tree Removal
• Aberdeen Tree Watering
• Aberdeen Site Clearance

More Aberdeen Trades: Undoubtedly, when you're having tree surgery done in Aberdeen, Scotland, you will probably need other garden related services, and apart from a tree surgeon in Aberdeen, Scotland, you could additionally need patio cleaning in Aberdeen, gate fitters in Aberdeen, block paving in Aberdeen, landscaping in Aberdeen, soil irrigation in Aberdeen, artificial grass installation in Aberdeen, planting services in Aberdeen, garden clearances in Aberdeen, hedge shaping in Aberdeen, lawn mowing in Aberdeen, garden waste removal in Aberdeen, garden designers in Aberdeen, garden pond installation in Aberdeen, garden shed installers in Aberdeen, decking installers in Aberdeen, local SKIP HIRE in Aberdeen, and other different Aberdeen tradespeople.

For local information regarding Aberdeen, Scotland check here

Tree Surgeon Jobs Aberdeen: Find Aberdeen tree surgeon jobs here: Tree Surgeon Jobs Aberdeen

Tree Surgery AB10 area, phone code 01224.

Tree Surgeon Aberdeen - Tree Care Aberdeen - Crown Thinning Aberdeen - Tree Felling Aberdeen - Arboriculture Aberdeen - AB10 - Tree Pruning Aberdeen - Vegetation Management Aberdeen Scotland - Stump Grinding Aberdeen