Tree Surgeon Barnstaple

Those who hire non-qualified individuals, or attempt to do tree work themselves, may cause a risk of damage to the trees, to property and to life. However, tree work is not a safe occupation, even for certified tree surgeons, who are well acquainted with all the hazards. Within the profession there are an average of three deaths and one hundred and forty severe injuries a year, making it one of the most dangerous jobs in the United Kingdom.

With falling branches or trees causing around 5 deaths each year in Britain, a threat to life can even be posed by a damaged or neglected tree. If an injury occurs, or property is damaged due to you bringing in somebody to do tree work, you could be liable for any compensation to any third-party. These are the reasons why it is very important to retain the services of a competent tree surgeon to work on your trees in Barnstaple. (The above figures were sourced from HSE).

FINDING A TREE SURGEON IN BARNSTAPLE - There are 2 major professional industry bodies, at least one of which an experienced tree surgeon in Barnstaple should be a signed up member of. The membership and professional status of any tree surgeon in Barnstaple can be checked on the websites of both the ISA (International Society of Arboriculture) and the AA (Arboricultural Association). This page enables you to check if any particular local tree surgeon has recognised Approved ARB Contractor status, and has membership of either of these two bodies.

If there's a problem during or after any tree work has been accomplished you're able to communicate with these trade organisations for assistance in arbitration and for advice and help at any stage.

If a tree surgeon who you cannot find on this directory list offers to give you a quotation, it is recommended that you carry on with your search for an approved and fully qualified contractor, and tactfully decline their offer. As soon as you are reassured of their professional qualifications and memberships you should try to get a minimum of three quotations from different companies in and around Barnstaple. There are a number of important questions that you should ask whilst you are gathering the quotations, and because of the risks involved in the work, you should make it clear that you really need the answers. You should for instance ask:

• Can you show documents to demonstrate that you have the correct qualifications, membership of the ISA or AA, and also a certificate for the use of a chainsaw from the NPTC/LANTRA? Any operative/tree surgeon who uses a chainsaw, must by law have a NPTC/LANTRA certificate. National Diplomas and Certificates in Arboriculture are qualifications that might be held by a professional tree surgeon in Barnstaple.
• Can I assess the standard of your tree work by contacting a person you have recently worked for? It's generally advisable to do an independent examination of recently completed work.
• Do you provide quotations in writing? You should NEVER settle for a verbal quote only. Only ever accept a quote in writing.
• Precisely what level of insurance coverage have you got? Your tree surgeon should be able to show you an insurance certificate covering no less than five million pounds public liability, as stipulated by the AA and ISA.

Easy to follow details of all the tree work that's to be undertaken must be included on the written quotation. It should include details of any trees which may be protected, and the necessary steps to get permission to carry out work on them, and also state whose responsibility it is to remove tree branches, stumps and debris. You should also make certain VAT is included on the quote unless you are a commercial entity. It is crucial to realise that you've got a responsibility to employ only trained people to work on your trees and property. This is outlined by the "Common law duty of care responsibilities and sometimes liabilities under the Occupier's Liability Acts of 1957 and 1984."

PRIOR TO WORK - Your chosen Barnstaple tree surgeon should enquire whether any of your trees are protected and take the appropriate steps to make certain that any tree work can get the go-ahead from the local authorities. Even protected trees need to be maintained so as to cut back old or dead wood and ensure the safety of the public, so finding a tree has protected status does not imply that work can't still be carried out.

No less than six weeks written notice must be given to the Local Planning Authority before any tree work can be conducted, if your property in Barnstaple is inside a designated conservation area. This only applies to trees with a trunk diameter of over 7.5 centimetres in diameter, at a point 1.5 metres from ground level. It is also not necessary to give written notice if the branches of a protected tree need thinning or pruning simply to sustain and encourage growth.

Your chosen Barnstaple tree surgeon will decide on the necessary remedial treatment and how the required outcome can be achieved with safety in mind after doing a full assessment of your trees health. This will involve completing a full risk assessment to include your property, public spaces and any section of neighbouring properties that could be impacted by falling branches and debris. This stage will also ascertain the amount of workers required and the level of protection needed. To keep the public and other property safe from harm or damage, this will include both PPE and other safety precautions.

ON THE DAY OF WORK - Barriers, cones and safety measures will be put in place before any climbing, cutting of branches or tree felling begins, to keep unauthorised persons away from the area of work. It may at some stage be necessary to halt the traffic temporarily, if there is a danger of debris falling onto the highway.

Depending on the kind of work that's called for a tree surgeon will need different levels of protection. When carrying out basic work with a chainsaw, to prevent serious cutting injuries to the legs, hands and torso, they will as a bare minimum be wearing special protective clothing. At all times, every worker involved in the operation should wear high visibility clothing, and eye and head protection.

Safety climbing equipment and ladders will be needed if working at height is involved, and to help in the safe removal of high branches and large sections of tree trunk, extra workers will be essential. For hauling waste materials away from the area, a truck or skip will be parked as close to the work area as possible. This requirement for easy access is as good a reason as any for informing your next door neighbours of the intended work.

AFTER COMPLETION OF WORK - When the work has been concluded all of the waste will be hauled away and the site cleared of all debris. A certificate of work done will then be put together by your tree surgeon, especially where the trees are covered by TPOs, which can be signed off and a copy presented to you. If there were any public spaces that needed safety measures, this protection will be removed and highways and paths will be re-opened to the public.

If you have any problems or issues with the finished work, you should first address them with your tree surgeon so that they can be fixed straight away. If any further arbitration is required, and your tree surgeon is a member of a professional trade association, you can obtain advice and help from the ISA or AA so as to arrive at a satisfactory conclusion.

Locally based Barnstaple tree surgery services are most likely have the postcode EX31 and the telephone code 01271. They'll work in Barnstaple itself, together with nearby areas like Whiddon Valley, Sticklepath, Umberleigh, Miles Platting, Fremington, Lydacott, Swimbridge, Ashford, Tawstock, Shirwell, Strangeways, Landkey, Roundswell, Bishops Tawton, Goodleigh, and these postcodes: EX31 1SY, EX31 1GD, EX31 1TG, EX31 1HA, EX31 1QF, EX31 1QX, EX31 1BE, EX31 1SR, EX31 1LZ, EX31 1QS.

For this type of service it's unquestionably far better to hire a trusted local tree surgeon. Barnstaple homeowners can benefit from the skills and knowledge offered by a seasoned professional.

Dutch Elm Disease

A fungal disease that has killed many millions of precious elm trees throughout the British Isles over the past 50 years or so, Dutch Elm Disease (Ophiostoma novo-ulmi) isn't quite as big an issue as it once was. Caused by a fungus called Ophiostoma novo-ulmi which is spread by the elm bark beetle (Scolytus), Dutch Elm Disease was introduced into Great Britain inadvertently in the late Sixties from Canada.

Its fast spread was mostly down to to elm products such as saplings, bark mulch, elm crates, and logs with the bark on, being transported around Britain. This terrible disease didn't only affect elms in the United Kingdom, but also destroyed tree stocks in mainland Europe and North America. While the origins of Dutch Elm Disease are as yet unproven, the suspicions are that it first originated in Asia.

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

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

As there are now very few substantial elms in the British countryside, the beetle's habitat has been largely removed, which has resulted in a slowing of Dutch Elm Disease. There is a continuing project for propagating young trees which are resistant to DED.

You could put in a request for a diagnosis from the Tree Health Diagnostic and Advisory Service (THDAS), or you can speak to your neighbourhood tree surgeon for advice, if you have elm trees on your property in Barnstaple, and have suspicions that they may be affected by DED.

Tree families affected: Ulmacae and Zelkova.

Vectors - beetles of the Scolytus and Hylorgopinus genera.

Cause - fungi Ophiostoma Ulmi and Ophiostoma Novo-Ulmi.

Emergency Tree Care Barnstaple

Having to make an emergency call to a tree surgeon is not something that is likely to arise very frequently, but if you have large trees in your garden in Barnstaple, this could be a necessity at some stage. When there are storms and strong winds, Barnstaple tree surgeons notice a spike in emergency call-outs, and many offer a 24 hour service. Even though the odds of a whole tree falling down are low, there is more potential for branches breaking off and crashing to the ground, during gusty weather. When tree limbs and branches start falling broken garden furniture, damaged fences, squashed sheds and smashed greenhouses are a common outcome, therefore prevention is preferable to having to tackle the consequences.

Naturally, the local authorities in the Barnstaple area will also frequently need emergency tree care services, when substantial branches drop onto public footpaths, railway tracks and highways.

Additional issues could also occur after the emergency tree work has been successfully carried out, because when a tree has lost some large limbs, it may appear lopsided, with more weight on one side than the other - hence "re-balancing" may be necessary. If you've got any of these tree related problems, you should not attempt to sort any of them out by yourself, and you should promptly call a local tree surgeon in Barnstaple who provides emergency services, so that they can suggest the preferred strategy. (Tags: Emergency Tree Surgery Barnstaple, Emergency Tree Work Barnstaple, Emergency Tree Services Barnstaple, Emergency Call-Outs Barnstaple).

Tree Root Problems Barnstaple

Certain trees have got exceptionally invasive root systems, and can cause issues when they're growing too near to your dwelling in Barnstaple. These issues could include lifting patios, blocked drains and damaged foundations, to name but a few. Maples, elms, willows and sycamores, are renowned for having extremely invasive root systems.

If you are planting new trees, make sure they're located sufficiently far from your sewerage system, your house, paths and patio areas, so they won't cause serious problems later on. If you've already got problems with existing trees which are growing too near to your dwelling, you can get help and advice by contacting your local Barnstaple tree surgeon.

To avoid the chance of significantly harming the health of your tree or even killing it off altogether, you certainly should not just hack away at the problematic tree roots in an effort to resolve this yourself. Understanding which roots should be left, and which roots can be safely cut is the domain of the specialist, and a qualified Barnstaple arborist will make sure the tree can still get enough nutrients and water to survive successfully.

Given that sewerage pipes provide a continuous source of water and nutrients, tree and shrub roots regularly cause cracks in underground drainage systems. Blockages and joint failure can arise, when tiny tree roots grow into the joints of a drainage system, establish themselves and grow into substantial root balls. Specialist root removal solutions will be offered by many local tree surgeons, who will employ high pressure jetting, electro-mechanical equipment or manual rodding to get rid of the offending roots. Invasive root removal services are also available in Whiddon Valley, Sticklepath, Umberleigh, Miles Platting, Fremington, Lydacott, Swimbridge, Ashford, Tawstock, Shirwell, Strangeways, Landkey, Roundswell, Bishops Tawton, Goodleigh, and in Barnstaple, Devon. (Tags: Problematic Tree Roots Barnstaple, Tree Root Problems Barnstaple, Invasive Tree Roots Barnstaple, Drain Root Removal Barnstaple).

Hedge Cutting Barnstaple

Despite the fact that tree surgeons in Barnstaple are largely involved with the maintenance and care of trees and shrubs they're regularly called in to cut back hedges. In particular this is helpful if you've got conifer hedges (Leylandii for instance) which will often grow too high for a regular gardener to cope with.

When a hedge is poorly maintained and uncared for, it can get out of control and overgrown fairly quickly. Routine trimming is advisable if you don't want a hedge to take over large sections of your garden in Barnstaple, and as well as making the hedge stronger it will also add to its visual appeal.

If your intentions are to sell your property, tidy hedges will help to make your whole garden neater, and may even add to the value of your home in Barnstaple. You should also be able to get hedge trimming in Whiddon Valley, Sticklepath, Umberleigh, Miles Platting, Fremington, Lydacott, Swimbridge, Ashford, Tawstock, Shirwell, Strangeways, Landkey, Roundswell, Bishops Tawton, Goodleigh, and and of course Barnstaple. (Tags: Hedge Cutting Barnstaple, Hedge Shaping Barnstaple, Hedge Clipping Barnstaple, Hedge Trimming Barnstaple).

Tree Removal Barnstaple

Trees are normally beneficial, so the removal of a tree should be the final resort. But, there are authentic reasons behind removing a tree from your garden or premises in Barnstaple. Some of the most frequent factors behind having to fell a tree are if: you've got a dead/dying tree, the roots are obstructing retaining walls/foundations, your tree is in the way of new development, your tree is infected, your tree has been damaged by windy weather, your tree presents a safety threat or the tree is too large for its surroundings.

Crown Thinning Barnstaple

Taking off lesser living branches towards the outer region of the crown, yet not adjusting the shape or size of that tree, is termed crown thinning. This process is intended to generate a consistent leaf density, which accomplishes specific goals such as: to reduce the stress upon larger branches because of wind, gravity, ice, or snow, to lessen the weight of the crown, to lower the tree's wind resistance, to permit more light throughout or to stop the tree being uprooted when it's windy. A uniform density of foliage around equally spaced branches should be the aim of crown thinning, it should not transform the overall size and shape of the tree. It should be possible to find crown thinning services in Whiddon Valley, Sticklepath, Umberleigh, Miles Platting, Fremington, Lydacott, Swimbridge, Ashford, Tawstock, Shirwell, Strangeways, Landkey, Roundswell, Bishops Tawton, Goodleigh, and Barnstaple, Devon.. (Tags: Crown Thinning Barnstaple, Crown Thin Barnstaple, Tree Crown Thinning Barnstaple)

Air-Spading Barnstaple

There are various problems that could make the health of your trees a concern, but issues with the root system are quite frequently the cause. An experienced tree surgeon in Barnstaple might need to get at your tree's root system, so as to check for issues such as root rot or soil compaction.

This was sometimes a difficult thing to achieve until recently, because while digging out the surrounding soil, the roots could easily be damaged. The method that many contemporary tree surgeons use is known as "air spading", which is where compressed air is used to efficiently break down and clear away compacted soil without damaging tree roots or nearby utilities.

The soil around tree roots can sometimes become compacted by passing vehicles, foot traffic or building work, and this can have a negative effect on the general health of a tree. When a tree fails to get enough nutrients and water it can become "stressed", and this means that it is more vulnerable to attacks by pests, insects and diseases. Root flare problems can also be an issue, when the flare at the base of the stem gets covered in too much soil, causing the tissue to break down, and increasing the chance of root rot. Air-spading is a useful technique for correcting this.

Involving the use of an air compressor and an air-spading tool, this process forces air into the soil at high speed (1,200 mph), this breaks it apart by entering any voids present in the soil, but has no effect on the tree roots or utilities. As surrounding soil is blown away from the tree's roots by the powerful air flow, immediate inspection can take place. A resolution can then be implemented for any any obvious problems, and the soil replaced with a looser layer of wood chips and fertiliser to help rejuvenate the tree. (Tags: Air-Spade Barnstaple, Air-Spading Barnstaple, Air-Spade Investigations Barnstaple).

The Day to Day Duties of a Tree Surgeon

• Tree planting and transplanting.
• Fell and remove trees and perform stump grinding.
• Identify dangers presented by trees.
• Climb trees to prune or remove branches as required.
• Deal with customers and complete admin duties.
• Produce tree survey reports for both domestic and commercial clients.
• Assess the health of trees and formulate treatment plan.
• Chip and cut branches and logs.
• Produce telephone or on-site quotes with the clients.
• Maintain and service equipment like wood chippers and chainsaws.
• Be proficient with power tools and powered machinery.
• Tidy site upon completion and remove waste products from client's site.

Stump Grinding

It's important to ensure you contact a company with the appropriate tools and knowhow, when you need to get specialist services such as stump grinding carried out in Barnstaple. The very best Barnstaple tree surgeons will appreciate that every single bit of the tree stump must be taken out down to a depth of at least twelve inches. Grinding down stubborn roots and stumps right up to buildings and walls while avoiding damage, can only be successfully achieved if your tree surgeon has access to the right machinery. This purpose built stump grinding apparatus is so flexible that it can even be used to eradicate tree stumps which are located in alleys, passageways and similarly hard to get at spots. Where large trees have to be taken out the stump that is left can be quite substantial and the major roots will go down to a significant depth, requiring a herculean effort to remove them.

Tree Surgery Tasks Barnstaple

Barnstaple tree surgeons can usually help you with arboriculture in Barnstaple, root pruning in Barnstaple, residential tree surgery, tree cabling, safety inspections in Barnstaple, shrub maintenance, hazard assessments, tree fertilising Barnstaple, landscape clearance, shielding trees from grazing Barnstaple, eco plug treatments in Barnstaple, tree lightening protection, crown reduction, root flare exposure, terraventing, waste removal Barnstaple, hedge reduction, hedge laying, tree planting in Barnstaple, damaged tree cutting and removal in Barnstaple, tree removal, cut sealing in Barnstaple, monitoring of tree health, dead wooding, tree maintenance, crown lifting, stump treatment in Barnstaple, tree felling Barnstaple, tree lopping, hedge lowering Barnstaple and other tree surgeon services in Barnstaple, Devon. Listed are just some of the activities that are accomplished by a tree surgeon. Barnstaple specialists will be happy to inform you of their whole range of services.

Tree Surgeons Nearby

Also find: Shirwell tree surgeon, Lydacott tree surgeon, Sticklepath tree surgeon, Goodleigh tree surgeon, Landkey tree surgeon, Miles Platting tree surgeon, Umberleigh tree surgeon, Swimbridge tree surgeon, Whiddon Valley tree surgeon, Roundswell tree surgeon, Tawstock tree surgeon, Strangeways tree surgeon, Bishops Tawton tree surgeon and more. Practically all of these locations are catered for by tree surgeons. Property owners in these areas can obtain tree surgery estimates by going here.

Tree Care Services Barnstaple

Find a Tree Surgeon in Barnstaple Here

• Barnstaple Shrub Maintenance
• Barnstaple Woodland Clearance
• Barnstaple Tree Surveys
• Barnstaple Site Clearance
• Barnstaple Root Grinding
• Barnstaple Woodland Management
• Barnstaple Stump Grinding
• Barnstaple Tree Bracing
• Barnstaple Tree Pruning
• Barnstaple Root Decompaction
• Barnstaple Soil Terravention
• Barnstaple Stump Treatment
• Barnstaple Tree Inspections
• Barnstaple Tree Removal

More Barnstaple Trades: Needless to say, whenever you're having tree surgery done in Barnstaple, Devon, you'll probably be in need of other garden related services, and aside from a tree surgeon in Barnstaple, Devon, you could additionally need patio layers in Barnstaple, garden shed installation in Barnstaple, landscape gardeners in Barnstaple, rubbish removal in Barnstaple, garden pond builders in Barnstaple, garden design and planning in Barnstaple, soil irrigation in Barnstaple, lawn mowing services in Barnstaple, garden clearances in Barnstaple, planting services in Barnstaple, artifical grass in Barnstaple, driveway pavers in Barnstaple, topiary in Barnstaple, gate installation in Barnstaple, SKIP HIRE in Barnstaple, garden decking in Barnstaple, and other different Barnstaple tradespeople.

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

To find local information on Barnstaple, Devon click here

Tree Surgery EX31 area, phone code 01271.

Crown Lifting Barnstaple - Tree Surgery Barnstaple - Vegetation Management Barnstaple Devon - Tree Felling Barnstaple - 01271 - Tree Care Barnstaple - Tree Management Barnstaple - Tree Pruning Barnstaple - Tree Surgeon Barnstaple