Tree Surgeon Ballymena

Those who employ an unqualified person, or try to do tree work for themselves, may cause a risk of damage to the trees, to property and to life. However, even for qualified tree surgeons who know about all the hazards, tree work is not entirely safe. The reality is that tree surgery is one of the most hazardous jobs in the UK, with an average of three deaths and a hundred and forty major injuries a year within the industry, therefore it's certainly not safe work for amateurs to do.

There is also a threat to life from damaged or poorly maintained trees in Ballymena, as around five people per year are fatally wounded in the UK by falling branches or trees. You might be liable to third-party compensation claims due to the consequences of your actions, if you hire somebody to perform tree work and subsequently there is an injury, or damage to property. This is why retaining the services of a competent Ballymena tree surgeon to do the work on your trees is imperative. (The source of the above figures was HSE).

There are two industry bodies that a certified Ballymena tree surgeon should really be a signed up member of. You can check out the membership and professional status of any tree surgeon on the websites of either the ISA (International Society of Arboriculture) or the AA (Arboricultural Association). Membership of either of these two associations will give the tree surgeon Approved ARB Contractor status which can be checked on this webpage.

If an issue develops during or after any work has been accomplished you can get hold of these industry bodies for mediation and for help and advice at any stage.

If anybody who you cannot find on this directory offers you an estimate, you should respectfully decline their offer of work and carry on your search for an approved contractor. When their qualifications and professional associations have been carefully checked, you should try to get at least 3 different quotes from various companies in and around Ballymena. Whilst getting the quotations you should ask the below questions, stating you need to know the answers due to the risks involved with the work:

• Can you offer me a written quotation? Always try to get a written quote, and NEVER accept a quote which is only given verbally.
• What level of insurance cover do you have? As stipulated by the AA and ISA, your tree surgeon ought to be able to show you an insurance certificate covering at the least £5 Million public liability.
• Have you got documentary evidence of your qualifications, professional membership and a NPTC/LANTRA certificate for the use of a chainsaw? Any tree worker who uses a chainsaw, must by law have gained NPTC/LANTRA certification. A skilled tree surgeon in Ballymena may hold National Diplomas and Certificates in Arboriculture.
• Would I be able to to contact someone you've recently worked for, so that I can check your workmanship? It's a good idea to do an independent examination of any recent work.

On the written quotation that you receive, you will need there to be clear and accurate details of all the work that is being undertaken. Who is responsible for the removal and disposal of tree branches, stumps and waste should be stated, as should information on any trees which could be protected in law, and the steps necessary to get permission to carry out work on them. You should also make sure VAT has been included on the quote unless you are a commercial enterprise. You have a responsibility for employing only competent tradespeople to work on your trees and property, and it is important to understand that fact.

PRIOR TO WORK COMMENCING - Checking whether any of your trees are protected, your chosen Ballymena tree surgeon should ensure that any work gets the green light from the appropriate local authority department. Discovering that a tree has protected status doesn't mean that work cannot be carried out, because even protected trees need to be maintained so as to cut back dead or damaged wood and ensure the safety of the public.

If your property in Ballymena is in a designated conservation area then at least six weeks written notice must be given to the Local Planning Authority (LPA) prior to any work being performed. This notice is not required if the tree trunk is less than 7.5cm in diameter when measured at 1.5 metres from ground level. Also, it's not necessary to give notice if a protected tree's branches need pruning or thinning simply to encourage and sustain growth.

Your chosen Ballymena tree surgeon will decide on the required remedial treatment and how best and safely to achieve the required outcome after doing a thorough assessment of your trees health. This will involve conducting a risk assessment to include your property, public areas and any part of a neighbour's property that could be affected by falling branches. The level of protection needed and the amount of workforce required, will also be ascertained at this stage. This is both PPE (personal protective equipment) together with other safety measures to keep property and the general public safe from damage or harm.

ON THE DAY OF WORK - Safety measures and barriers should be put in place before any climbing, cutting of branches or tree felling begins, to keep passers-by and unauthorised persons away from the work area. Passing traffic might have to be temporarily halted if there is a risk of falling debris onto a public road.

Varying levels of protection will be necessary for the tree surgeon according to what tree work needs to be undertaken. At the bare minimum when working with a chainsaw they'll be wearing special protective clothing to avoid serious cutting injuries to the hands, torso and legs. All operatives involved in the work should be wearing high visibility clothing, and head and eye protection, at all times.

Safety climbing equipment and ladders will be necessary if working at height is involved, and to help with the removal of high branches and pieces of tree trunk, extra personnel will be necessary. It is advisable to inform your neighbours of the need for access, because a vehicle or skip for removing the waste will be stationed as close to the work area as possible.

AFTER COMPLETION OF WORK - The site can be cleared of all debris, and all the waste materials can be taken away, after all tree work has been completed. Your tree surgeon will then put together and sign off a certificate of work done, a copy of which will be presented to you. This is especially important where trees with TPOs are involved. Pathways and roads can then be re-opened, and any safety measures places in public areas removed.

If you have any complaints about or issues with the completed work, you should get them put right straight away by firstly taking them up with the tree surgeon. If there is any further dispute, and your tree surgeon is a signed up member of a trade association, you can get guidance and help from the International Society of Arboriculture or the Arboricultural Association in order to reach an acceptable conclusion.

Local Ballymena tree surgery services will most likely have the phone code 028 and the postcode BT42. They will work in Ballymena itself, as well as nearby areas such as Portglenone, Kells, Ballyclare, Dunloy, Cloughmills, Cullybackey, Glenarm, Toomebridge, Broughshane, Garvagh, Gracehill, Gaigorm, Rasharkin, Moorfields, Bellaghy, Antrim, Kilrea, Maghera, and these postcodes: BT42 2LE, BT42 1GY, BT42 2BN, BT42 2HY, BT42 2HT, BT42 1QN, BT42 2BU, BT42 2HU, BT42 2EA, BT42 2EH.

For this kind of assistance it's unquestionably better to bring in a trusted local tree surgeon. Ballymena property owners can benefit greatly from the skills and dexterity that a fully trained professional can offer.

Preventing Storm Damage

Although we're all aware of the extreme power of Mother Nature, large trees seem strong, sturdy and capable of withstanding just about any eventuality. Certain species of trees can in fact live for hundreds (even thousands) of years and will happily do so in most scenarios.

Having said that, they can be quite vulnerable to the elements when confronted by a certain set of conditions, and it is not just the risk of falling tree limbs and branches, but in times of severe weather the whole tree can fall over. The main danger to, and enemy of trees, is high winds, and with escalating frequency of severe storms this form of damage is becoming more commonplace in Ballymena. Heavy snow during winter can also cause issues, as can waterlogged soil resulting from floods or prolonged periods of rain.

In order to be prepared for any problems that may arise during severe weather conditions, it is advisable to have a certified Ballymena tree surgeon trim and remove any dead, dying or excessively long branches, and check for any further issues.

To prevent bigger trees getting struck by lightning, and to protect nearby buildings and property which could be vulnerable to "arcs" or side-flashes, it is also recommended to fit them with copper conductors, lightning rods, or other protection systems. 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 decay, pests or disease - not the happiest of situations! You may not imagine that lightning strikes are that common, yet in the UK there are something like 300 thousand lightning strikes annually.

Ask your local Ballymena tree surgery company what they can do to safeguard your trees from storm damage and minimise the risk of major consequences should an unstable tree crash down due to extreme weather conditions.

Tree Transplanting Ballymena

Transplanting fully-grown trees is an intricate, but rather simple process these days, mostly due to modern truck mounted spades, tree lifting devices and other specialist tools. Fully-grown trees can be transplanted on new properties to accomplish an instant landscaping appearance, or overgrown wooded areas can be thinned without having to stoop to tree felling.

Moving trees in Ballymena can be accomplished at any time of year, however in warmer summer months the soaking of the surrounding soil becomes particularly crucial so as to cause the minimum amount of stress on the tree's root system. A massive mechanical tree spade plunges down into the ground, and manoeuvred to surround the root-ball and then hauls the unscathed tree from its home. The tree is then able to be transported to its new location for transplanting, or kept in temporary storage until it's ready to be replanted.

An accredited tree transplanting service in Ballymena will communicate with local authorities to ensure that local regulations and preservation orders are complied with at all stages of the tree moving and transplantation process.

Woodland Clearance Ballymena

Woodland clearance in the Ballymena area should only be commenced after any restrictions and regulations have been established and observed. A qualified tree surgeon in Ballymena will offer a comprehensive service that will follow all covenants and laws on the land, and also do the clearance in an eco-friendly way.

A decent tree surgeon will establish if there are any ecological constraints, felling restrictions or special planning permissions by conducting a full site survey and liaising with local authorities. It could be that the land in question has protected plant species or wildlife upon it, which will require relocation to another protected site, or other mitigation procedures to be employed.

Due to the equipment used in woodland clearance, i.e. mulching, felling and chipping machines, it's usually more cost effective to hire a qualified tree surgery company to complete the work. (Tags: Woodland Management Ballymena, Woodland Clearance Ballymena, Woodland Preservation Ballymena, Woodland Clearances Ballymena).

Daily Tasks of a Tree Surgeon

• Evaluate the health of trees and create treatment plans.
• Produce tree survey reports for both domestic and commercial clients.
• Cut and chip branches and logs.
• Tidy work area upon completion and fulfil removal of waste product from client's site.
• Deal with customers and complete administration duties.
• Fell and remove trees and grind stumps.
• Climb trees to prune or remove branches.
• Be competent using power tools and powered equipment.
• Plant trees and vegetation.
• Maintain and service equipment like chainsaws and wood chippers.
• Produce telephone or on-site quotes for customers.
• Establish hazards posed by trees.

Problematic Tree Roots Ballymena

When they are growing too close to your home in Ballymena, some larger trees have particularly intrusive root systems, and can cause issues. These problems could include cracked patios, damaged foundations and blocked drains, to name just three. Sycamores, maples, elms and willows, are known to have very aggressive root systems.

If you're planting new trees, ensure they're located far enough away from paths, your home, your sewerage pipes and patio areas, so they will not cause problems later on. If established trees are growing too near to your home and are causing some of these problems, you must contact a tree surgeon in Ballymena, to see what can be done.

You should not try to deal with this yourself by just hacking off the offending roots, as this could seriously affect the tree's health or even kill it. A professional tree surgeon in Ballymena will know precisely which roots should be left, and which roots can be safely cut back, so that the damage is minimised, but the tree can still get ample nutrients and water to thrive and survive.

Since sewage lines provide a constant source of water and nutrients, tree and shrub roots sometimes cause structural problems in underground drains. Blockages and joint failure can arise when a drainage system's joints are breached by small roots, which can ultimately develop into enormous root balls once they have established themselves. High quality root removal services will be offered by some Ballymena tree surgeons, who will use electro-mechanical equipment, high pressure jetting or manual rod clearance to get rid of the offending roots. You should also be able to obtain root removal in Portglenone, Kells, Ballyclare, Dunloy, Cloughmills, Cullybackey, Glenarm, Toomebridge, Broughshane, Garvagh, Gracehill, Gaigorm, Rasharkin, Moorfields, Bellaghy, Antrim, Kilrea, Maghera, and and of course in Ballymena.

Accidents Through Tree Surgery

The work carried out by tree surgeons and tree care professionals in Ballymena can be very dangerous. All reasonable safety measures must be taken when carrying out work on trees, because tree work involves a significant risk of injuries to both operatives, co-workers and passers-by.

It would appear (according to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)), that the use of chainsaws, falls from trees, and being hit by a falling branch or tree are the cause of the vast majority of major and fatal injuries that are related to tree work. Surprisingly, people involved in tree care work are more at risk of sustaining a serious injury than those working in construction.

The most commonplace tree work accidents in terms of insurance claims, involve being struck by objects (branches, ropes, grapple hooks, trees, cranes etc), lifting injuries and falling from ladders.

When work needs doing on your trees, all this emphasises the need for employing a competent Ballymena tree surgeon. A lot of accidents in the tree care industry can be attributed to inexperienced workers trying to tackle tasks that they aren't fully trained in. Therefore, always use an experienced and reputable Ballymena company who have been trading in the area for a number of years, to sidestep this problem.

Fundamental Skills for Tree Surgeons in Ballymena

• Be alert to the dangers and complexities involved in all aspects of work.
• Have patience and the ability to remain calm and focused in times of stress.
• Have the ability to work alongside other people.
• To be methodical and pay close attention to detail.
• Be capable of repairing, using and maintaining machines and tools.
• Physical skills like co-ordination and movement.
• Have essential computer skills and know how to perform tasks with handheld devices.
• Have the ability to work well with your hands.
• Customer service skills.
• Good knowledge of public safety measures.
• Be professional and able to complete tasks within a specified time frame.

Tree Surgery Tasks Ballymena

Ballymena tree surgeons can normally help you with crown cleaning Ballymena, tree waste removal, tree cutting, root decompaction, tree maintenance, woodland management, retrenchment pruning, hedge laying, the protection of trees from grazing Ballymena, tree planning, hedge cutting, the removal of dead wood in Ballymena, cable bracing, landscaping Ballymena, commercial tree care, vegetation management Ballymena, hazard assessment, crown thinning, tree lopping Ballymena, shrub maintenance, soil terraventing, tree replanting in Ballymena, air spading, domestic tree care in Ballymena, root removal Ballymena, damaged tree cutting and removal, crown removal in Ballymena, crown lifting, damage restoration Ballymena, tree bracing Ballymena and other tree surgeon services in Ballymena, Northern Ireland. These are just an example of the tasks that are handled by a tree surgeon. Ballymena professionals will be delighted to keep you abreast of their whole range of services.

Tree Surgeons Nearby

Also find: Broughshane tree surgeon, Portglenone tree surgeon, Toomebridge tree surgeon, Maghera tree surgeon, Moorfields tree surgeon, Glenarm tree surgeon, Rasharkin tree surgeon, Cloughmills tree surgeon, Dunloy tree surgeon, Cullybackey tree surgeon, Kilrea tree surgeon, Gracehill tree surgeon, Bellaghy tree surgeon, Gaigorm tree surgeon, Kells tree surgeon, Garvagh tree surgeon and more. Most of these villages and towns are catered for by tree care companies. Residents in these areas can acquire price quotes for tree surgery by going here.

Tree Care Services Ballymena

Find a Tree Surgeon in Ballymena Here

• Ballymena Tree Cutting
• Ballymena Arboriculture
• Ballymena Stump Removal
• Ballymena Tree Management
• Ballymena Tree Dismantling
• Ballymena Wood Chipping
• Ballymena Tree Care
• Ballymena Tree Bracing
• Ballymena Crown Raising
• Ballymena Soil Terravention
• Ballymena Tree Pollarding
• Ballymena Root Decompaction
• Ballymena Tree Watering
• Ballymena Crown Cleaning

If you're interested in local Ballymena info take a look here

Tree Surgery BT42 area, and dialling code 028.

Tree Management Ballymena - Woodland Management Ballymena - Tree Care Ballymena - Vegetation Management Ballymena Northern Ireland - Tree Surgery Ballymena - Tree Surgeons Ballymena - Tree Felling Ballymena - Tree Surgeon Ballymena - Crown Thinning Ballymena