Ashington Tree Surgeon Northumberland: Adding structure, style and substance to what can otherwise be a 2 dimensional landscape, trees are an attractive feature of properties and gardens in Ashington. However, when poorly maintained or damaged by extreme weather conditions, for example high winds or flooding, trees can be a bit of a problem. The best option if there is work that needs performing on your trees, is to consult a skilled tree surgeon in Ashington.
People in Ashington who try to do tree work themselves, or by using non-qualified individuals may well cause a risk of damage to property, the trees and to life. However, even for experienced tree surgeons who are familiar with all the hazards, tree work is not entirely safe. Within the profession there are a thought provoking average of 3 deaths and 140 major injuries per year, making it among the most hazardous jobs in the UK.
There is also a threat to life from damaged or neglected trees in Ashington, since around 5 people per year are tragically killed in the United Kingdom by falling branches or trees. If there is an injury, or damage to property due to you bringing in somebody to carry out tree work, you may well be liable for any compensation to any third-party. These are just a few of the reasons why using the services of an established Ashington tree surgeon to work on your trees is vitally important. (The source of the above figures was HSE).
A competent tree surgeon in Ashington should be a registered member of at least one of the two industry bodies found in Britain. Both the ISA (International Society of Arboriculture) and the AA (Arboricultural Association) offers a website where you can check up on the membership and professional standing of any tree surgeon in Ashington. Membership of either of these 2 organisations gives the tree surgeon recognised ARB Approved Contractor status which can be checked out on this page.
If a problem develops during or after any work has been concluded you will be able to communicate with these professional associations for mediation and for help and advice at any stage.
If any tree surgeon who you cannot find on this directory offers to provide you with an estimate, you should respectfully decline their offer of work and carry on with your search for an accredited contractor. As soon as their professional accreditations and associations have been carefully checked, you should try to get a minimum of three different price quotes from various companies in Ashington. You should ask the questions below whilst obtaining these quotes, making it crystal clear that you need to know the answers because of the risks involved in tree surgery work:
- Can I contact a recent person you have worked for so that I can assess the quality of your work? It's always a good idea to carry out an independent check on recently completed work.
- Do you offer quotations in writing? Always get a written quote, and NEVER accept a quote which is only given verbally.
- Can you provide a NPTC/LANTRA certificate for the use of a chainsaw, and documentary proof of your professional memberships and qualifications? Any tree surgeon/operative using a chainsaw, must by law have gained a NPTC/LANTRA certificate. A professional Ashington tree surgeon may hold City and Guilds Certificates and National Diplomas in Arboriculture.
- How much insurance cover do you provide? You should not consider a tree surgeon in Ashington with less than five million pounds public liability insurance as outlined by the AA and ISA.
Easy to follow details of all the tree work that is being undertaken should be included on the written quote. It should indicate whose responsibility it is to remove waste, tree branches and stumps, and should also include details about any trees which could be protected in law, and the steps necessary to get permission to carry out work on them. Unless you're a commercial business, you should also ensure VAT is included on the quote. Recognising that you've got a responsibility to hire only capable tradespeople to work on your trees and property, is important.
PRIOR TO WORK BEGINNING - Checking into the possibility of any trees having protected status, your preferred Ashington tree surgeon should ensure that any tree work can get the green light from the relevant local authority department. Finding a tree has got protected status doesn't signify that work can't be carried out, since even protected trees require maintenance so as to cut back dead or dying wood and ensure public safety.
If your property in Ashington is located in a designated conservation area then a minimum of 6 weeks written notice is required to the Local Planning Authority (LPA) before any tree work can be undertaken. However, tree trunks of under 75mm in diameter when measured at 1.5m above ground level are exempt from this requirement. It's also not necessary to give written notice if the branches of a protected tree need thinning or pruning simply to encourage and sustain growth.
On site they'll carry out a complete assessment of your tree's health and decide on the remedial treatment required and how best and safely to achieve the required outcome. This will include a full risk assessment of any areas that could be impacted by falling branches and debris, such as on your property, in public spaces, and on neighbouring properties. This stage will also establish the level of protection required and the amount of operatives needed. This is both personal protective equipment (PPE) along with other safety precautions to keep property and the general public safe from damage or harm.
ON THE DAY OF WORK - To keep unauthorised persons and passers-by away from the work area, cones, barriers and safety measures should be put in place before any tree felling, climbing or cutting of branches is started. Traffic might need to be temporarily halted if there's any risk of debris falling onto a public road.
The tree surgeon will need varying degrees of protection subject to the type of work being completed. When doing chainsaw work, they will as a bare minimum be wearing protective clothing to prevent serious cutting injuries to the hands, legs and torso. At all times, every worker involved in the operation should wear high-vis clothing, and eye and head protection.
Extra workers will usually be needed to help in the removal of high branches and pieces of tree trunk, especially if any working at height is involved, and where climbing equipment and ladders are being used. A skip or lorry for removing the waste will be stationed as close as possible to the work area, so it is recommended that you inform your neighbours of the need for unhindered access.
UPON COMPLETION OF WORK - Once the tree work has been finished all of the waste and branches can be taken away and the whole area cleared of all debris. Your tree surgeon will then prepare and sign off a certificate of work, a copy of which will be given to you. This is particularly important where protected trees are involved. Highways and paths can then be re-opened to the public, with any safety measures in public areas being taken away.
If you have any complaints about or issues with the work, you should get them put right immediately by firstly speaking to your tree surgeon. If your tree surgeon is a registered member of a trade association, you can obtain advice and guidance from the Arboricultural Association or the International Society of Arboriculture in order to arrive at an acceptable solution, if any further arbitration is required.
Local Ashington tree surgeons are likely to have the telephone code 01670 and the postcode NE63. They will work in Ashington itself, along with nearby areas like Blyth, Newbiggin by the Sea, Widdrington, Ellington, Cresswell, Morpeth, Woodhorn, Lynemouth, West Sleekburn, Pegswood, Cambois, Longhirst, Guide Post, North Seaton, Choppington, Scotland Gate, and these postcodes: NE63 0NF, NE22 7YW, NE61, NE62 5NQ, NE63 0LY, NE63 0PY, NE63 0HW, NE63 0DQ, NE63 0QL, NE61 6SH.
If you require this sort of service it's unquestionably better to hire a trusted tree surgeon. Ashington home and property owners can benefit from the knowhow and expertise that a fully trained professional can offer.
Health and Safety Considerations
One of the most important considerations with doing tree surgery in Ashington is the safety aspect, because this can be a dangerous and risky enterprise if done incorrectly. If the so called tradesmen carrying out the project are inexperienced or unqualified, there are plenty of factors that may lead to disaster such as inadequate head protection, neglecting to cordon-off the area to protect the public and vehicles, little protection from falling, in the shape of platforms, harnesses and ropes, failing to use cut resistant clothing (specifically safety boots and trousers), falling timber and branches and not putting on eyesight or hearing protection. On account of this form of incompetence, most likely at risk are nearby structures, facilities on the street, the home owners, the tree surgeon himself (up the tree), the tree itself, fences and garden outbuildings, team members working at ground level, passers by, vehicles.
Hedge Trimming Ashington
Although Ashington tree surgeons are largely associated with the care and maintenance of trees and shrubs they're often called in to trim and cut back hedges. In particular this is useful if you have conifer hedges (Leylandii for instance) which can quickly grow too tall for a homeowner or regular gardener to deal with.
When a hedge is poorly maintained or neglected, it can get out of control and overgrown fairly quickly. If you permit a hedge to take over large sections of your garden, it can be hard to resolve later on, therefore frequent clipping is advisable for both the aesthetic appeal and health of your hedge.
If you are intending to sell your property, neat hedges will help make your entire garden more tidy, and might even add value to your home in Ashington. (Tags: Hedge Clipping Ashington, Hedge Trimming Ashington, Hedge Care Ashington, Hedge Cutting Ashington).
Storm Damage Prevention Ashington
Although we're all familiar with the power of Mother Nature, larger trees seem strong, sturdy and capable of withstanding just about anything. Some types of tree can in fact survive for hundreds of years and will happily do so in most conditions.
Extreme climatic conditions can however cause substantial damage to trees, and together with the constant danger of falling branches or tree limbs, trees can even fall over completely in certain circumstances. The principal enemy of, and danger to trees, is high winds, and with increasing numbers of extreme weather events and severe storms this kind of damage is becoming more and more common in Ashington. Heavy snow during winter can also be an issue, as can waterlogged soil resulting from flooding or extended periods of rain.
To prune and remove any dead or excessively long branches that may cause an issue in times of severe weather, it's recommended that you get a certified Ashington tree surgeon to examine your trees on a regular basis.
Lightning rods, copper conductors, or other protection systems are also recommended for taller trees, to prevent them being struck by lightning and to safeguard nearby property and buildings which may be affected by side-flashes ("arcs") that can cause further destruction, in addition to damage done to the tree itself. Trees can be damaged, seriously weakened, or even killed by a lightning strike, they can be split in two, burned to the ground, or left susceptible to decay, pests or disease - not the happiest of situations! You might not think that lightning strikes are that common, however in the UK alone there are something like three hundred thousand strikes recorded each year.
If you're worried about the possibility of your trees in Ashington being damaged by storms, you should ask what your local tree care specialist can do to safeguard them, and reduce the risk of accidents occurring. (Tags: Storm Damage Ashington, Storm Damage Prevention Ashington, Storm Damaged Trees Ashington).
Pollarding Trees Ashington
Pollarding is primarily undertaken for safety reasons and is a procedure for substantially lessening the size of trees which have got too large for their existing environment. This strategy is in some cases used for visual reasons to transform a tree into a particularly pleasing form or shape. It is commonly seen on trees that serve as borders or hedgerows, and trees that grow alongside highways in Ashington. The rather naked and stark appearance that results from pollarding isn't very popular with those who adore trees, seeing that it is so different from its attractive natural state. However, in spite of the relatively unattractive appearance of recently pollarded trees like maples, beeches, sycamores, limes, planes, oaks and horse chestnuts, there is a beneficial feature to the technique, in that such trees can be kept when they would otherwise need to be felled.
Air-Spading Ashington
When you've got worries about the health of a tree, this might be down to any one of a number of issues, but is quite often because of problems with the root system. In order to check for soil compaction, root rot, or other potential issues, a qualified tree care specialist in Ashington may need to gain access to the root system of your tree.
Because there's a high probability of causing damage to the roots during the process of digging, previously this was difficult to achieve. The technique that most modern day tree surgeons use is called "air spading", whereby compressed air is used to break up and clear away compacted soil without damaging tree roots or utilities.
When the soil surrounding the stem of a tree gets compacted by construction work, foot traffic or passing vehicles, the health of the tree can be affected. Due to a lack of water and nutrients, a tree can quickly become "stressed", rendering it more vulnerable to attacks by pests, insects and diseases. Air spading is also useful to resolve root flare problems, when the flare at the base of the trunk becomes covered with too much soil, causing tissue breakdown, and heightening the possibility of root rot.
By forcing air into spaces in the soil at speeds of up to 1,200 mph by means of an air-spade and an air compressor, the air-spading process rapidly breaks down the soil without impacting the tree roots. All of the soil is blown away from the roots by the highly powerful air flow, meaning inspection and investigation can take place immediately. A much looser layer of wood chips and fertiliser can then be put in to encourage the tree to revive, and a resolution found for any issues.
Logs and Firewood Ashington
Of course, you might be looking for a tree surgeon for a totally different reason, because they are often an excellent source for logs and firewood in Ashington. As felling trees and lopping off branches is a major part of their daily routine, this is an obvious offshoot for an enterprising tree surgeon.
Some Ashington tree surgeons will sell you seasoned and chopped logs which are dried out and ready for burning, while others might be willing to give you logs and branches free of charge, since they normally have loads of them to get shot of.
Logs that have been left to dry out for at least 12 months are ideal for burning on your log burning stove or open fire, and they should preferably have a moisture content of less than 20%. Tree surgeons in Ashington will mostly have supplies of hardwood logs and these are really good for a sustained burn which will throw out heat for several hours. The disadvantage of hardwood logs is that they can be quite challenging to get going, so if you are able to get hold of a few softwood logs, these are fantastic for getting your fire started.
Dead-Wooding Ashington
All competent tree surgeons in Ashington will carry out the process of dead-wooding (or deadwooding), which is an essential part of tree care. Involving the removal or dead and rotting branches which could pose a danger to homes, passers-by or vehicles, dead-wooding can help make a tree both healthier and safer. There could be a number of different reasons behind why a tree's branches die, the most widespread being pest attacks, disease, root damage or excessive shading.
Although safety is clearly the most frequent reason for dead-wooding a tree, it's often necessary to make the tree more visually appealing, or so that the tree itself will benefit from the process. Too many dead, dying and damaged branches can encourage insect infestations and the spread of disease, therefore removing these compromised branches can radically improve a tree's health. A tree with a lot of dead wood also looks unattractive and ruins its appearance, so this can be cut out to get your tree looking beautiful once again.
Only larger dead branches will be cut off in most situations, as very little risk is posed by the smaller ones. Even so, any dead branches that are in excess of 50 millimetres in diameter might have to be removed in places where a tree overhangs a property, a public area, a park, a garden or a highway in Ashington. (Tags: Dead-Wooding Ashington, Dead-Wooding Trees Ashington, Dead-Wooding Services Ashington, Deadwooding Ashington).
Cable Bracing Ashington
A procedure which is employed to give support to a tree when it has signs of decay or damage or is a risk to nearby property or persons, cable bracing can be very helpful in the right situation. Where older or valuable trees in Ashington are concerned, cable bracing is generally used where it's unsatisfactory to chop down a tree or remove large sections that are unsafe or unstable.
In order to support defective joints, weak limbs and V-shaped forks in a tree, a specially designed cable bracing system can be considered. Most tree surgeons in Ashington will be equipped to conduct different types of bracing work through the installation of cables and rods to help alleviate structural stress and prolong the life of veteran trees.
A non-invasive method, that does not damage the tree by drilling and bolting the troublesome branches, cable bracing provides both shock-absorbing and flexible support. A comprehensive risk risk assessment must be conducted by a tree surgeon or arborist before any cable bracing work can begin. This is essential to ensure the safety of the tree and adjoining areas as the project progresses. (Tags: Tree Cable Bracing Ashington, Cable Bracing Trees Ashington, Cable Bracing Methods Ashington, Cable Bracing Ashington).
Tree Surgery Tasks Ashington
Ashington tree surgeons will likely help you with cable bracing Ashington, hedge trimming, tree lopping, brush cutting services in Ashington, fruit tree pruning, the removal of dead wood in Ashington, removal of storm damaged trees, emergency tree removal, retrenchment pruning, airspading in Ashington, crown thinning, tree maintenance, landscaping, tree work, stump grinding, hedge planting, crown raising, pest management, tree surveys, drop crotching Ashington, tree dismantling Ashington, forestry management, cut sealing, root pruning Ashington, safety inspections Ashington, tree health monitoring Ashington, crown removal, tree cutting, woodland management, tree transplanting and other tree surgeon services in Ashington, Northumberland. Listed are just a few of the activities that are conducted by a tree surgeon. Ashington providers will be happy to inform you of their whole range of services.
Tree Surgeons Nearby
Also find: Pegswood tree surgeon, Lynemouth tree surgeon, Woodhorn tree surgeon, Choppington tree surgeon, Ellington tree surgeon, Cambois tree surgeon, Widdrington tree surgeon, Scotland Gate tree surgeon, Cresswell tree surgeon, Longhirst tree surgeon, West Sleekburn tree surgeon, Guide Post tree surgeon and more. All these areas are catered for by local tree surgeons. Home and business owners in these localities can obtain tree surgery estimates by clicking here.
Tree Care Services Ashington
- Ashington Stump Removal
- Ashington Crown Reduction
- Ashington Eco-Plugging
- Ashington Air-Spading
- Ashington Tree Transplanting
- Ashington Woodchipping
- Ashington Tree Lopping
- Ashington Woodland Clearance
- Ashington Tree Care
- Ashington Stump Treatment
- Ashington Wood Chipping
- Ashington Crown Removal
- Ashington Root Decompaction
- Ashington Tree Inspections
To read local Ashington information check here
Tree Surgery NE63 area, and dialling code 01670.
Forest Management Ashington - Stump Removal Ashington - Root Removal Ashington - NE63 - Tree Management Ashington - Tree Care Ashington - Tree Surgery Ashington - 01670 - Tree Felling Ashington