Tree Surgeon Bishops Stortford

There is an enormous risk of damaging property, trees or even life, for people in Bishops Stortford who try to do tree work by themselves, or by hiring an unqualified individual. However, tree work isn't even safe for skilled tree surgeons, who are familiar with all of the risks involved. Within the profession there are a startling average of three deaths and one hundred and forty serious injuries per year, making it among the most dangerous jobs in the United Kingdom.

With around 5 people each year being tragically killed by falling trees or branches in Britain, even a damaged or poorly maintained tree can also cause a risk to life. If an injury occurs, or property is damaged due to you hiring somebody to conduct tree work, you could be liable for any compensation to any third-party due to the consequences of your actions. These reasons are why it is very important to retain the services of an established tree surgeon to work on your trees in Bishops Stortford. (The source of the above figures was HSE UK).

CHOOSING A TREE SURGEON IN BISHOPS STORTFORD - A decent Bishops Stortford tree surgeon should be an approved member of one or both of the 2 trade bodies found in Britain. Both the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and the Arboricultural Association (AA) offers a website where you can check out the membership and professional standing of any tree surgeon. Membership of either of these 2 organisations will give the tree surgeon recognised ARB Approved Contractor status which can be checked on this website.

You will be able to contact these professional bodies for arbitration assistance and for guidance and help, if an issue develops at any point during the course of the tree work, or after it has been finished.

If anyone who is not on this directory list offers you an estimate, you should politely decline their offer of work and carry on with your search for an accredited contractor. It is best to get a minimum of three quotations from different companies in the Bishops Stortford area, once you have meticulously checked their accreditations and professional memberships. Whilst obtaining the quotes you should ask the questions below, making it clear that you need them to provide the answers because of the risks involved with tree work:

• Do you have documents to show that you have the proper qualifications, membership of the ISA or AA, and also a certificate for chainsaw use from the NPTC/LANTRA? The NPTC/LANTRA certificate is required by law for any tree surgeon/worker using a chainsaw. A skilled tree surgeon in Bishops Stortford might hold City and Guilds National Diplomas and Certificates in Arboriculture.
• Can I inspect the standard of your work by contacting a person you've recently worked for? It is always a good idea to perform an independent check on recently completed work.
• How much insurance cover do you provide? Your tree surgeon ought to be able to show you an insurance certificate covering a minimum of five million pounds public liability, as stated by the AA and ISA.
• Can you provide me with a quotation in writing? You should only ever accept a quote in writing. NEVER take a verbal quote only.

The written quotation that you are given must include easy to follow details about the proposed tree work. Who is responsible for removing debris, tree branches and stumps should be stated, as should information on any trees which could be protected, and the necessary steps to get permission to work on them. Unless you are a commercial business, you should also make certain VAT is included on the quote. It is very important to understand that you have a responsibility to hire only competent tradespeople to work on your trees and property.

PRIOR TO WORK - Finding out whether any of your trees are covered by a TPO, your preferred Bishops Stortford tree surgeon should ensure that any tree work can get the green light from the relevant local authorities. To ensure public safety, even protected trees need maintenance in order to cut back dead or damaged wood, therefore finding that a tree is protected doesn't suggest that you're unable to carry out important work.

If your property in Bishops Stortford happens to be within a conservation area, the Local Planning Authority (LPA) will require a minimum of six weeks written notice of any proposed tree work. This notice is not required if the stem of the tree is less than 75mm in diameter when measured at 1.5 metres above the ground. If the pruning or thinning of a protected tree's branches are required in order to sustain and promote growth, written notice is also not necessary.

Your Bishops Stortford tree surgeon will determine the necessary remedial treatment and how the required outcome can be achieved with safety in mind after performing a thorough assessment of your trees health. This involves conducting a full risk assessment to include public spaces, your property and any sections of neighbouring properties that could be affected by falling debris and branches. This stage will also establish the level of protection required and the amount of workforce needed. To keep property and the general public safe from harm or damage, this will include both personal protective equipment (PPE) and other safety measures.

ON THE DAY OF WORK - Barriers and safety measures will be put in place before any tree felling, climbing or cutting of branches commences, to keep passers-by and unauthorised persons away from the area where work is going on. If there is a threat of debris falling into a public highway, traffic may have to be temporarily halted.

Varying degrees of protection will be necessary for the tree surgeon depending on what tree work needs to be carried out. When working with a chainsaw, they will at the very least be wearing specialist protective clothing to avoid cutting injuries to the legs, torso and hands. All operatives involved in the work must wear eye and head protection, and high-vis clothing, at all times.

Climbing equipment and ladders will be necessary if working at height is involved, and to assist in the removal of high branches and heavy sections of tree trunk, additional workers will be necessary. For hauling waste materials away from the work area, a truck or skip will be parked as close as possible to the work area. This need for unhindered access is a good reason to inform your next door neighbours of the work you are intending to do.

UPON COMPLETION OF WORK - The site can be cleared of all debris, and all the waste can be hauled away, as soon as all tree work has been concluded. A certificate of work done will then be prepared by your tree surgeon, especially when the trees are protected, which will be signed off and a copy presented to you. If any public spaces needed safety measures, this can be removed and highways and footpaths will be re-opened.

If you have any problems or issues with the finished work, you should first take them up with the tree surgeon in order that they can be rectified immediately. If your tree surgeon is a registered member of a trade association, you can get guidance and help from the ISA or AA so as to arrive at an acceptable solution, if any further arbitration is required.

Local Bishops Stortford tree surgeons will probably have the dialling code 01279 and the postcode CM23. They will work in Bishops Stortford itself, as well as nearby areas like Elsenham, Manuden, Birchanger, Much Hadham, Cradle End, Ugley Green, Takeley, Stansted Mountfitchet, Thorley Street, Stanstead, Hockerill, Sawbridgeworth, Ugley, Spellbrook, and these postcodes: CM23 2GZ, CM23 1BU, CM23 2FW, CM23 2EU, CM23 2LU, CM23 2FS, CM23 2RU, CM23 2QF, CM23 2QY, CM23 2LD.

For this kind of service it's unquestionably wise to employ a qualified tree surgeon. Bishops Stortford residents can benefit greatly from the skills and expertise that are the trademark of a trained professional.

Air-Spading Bishops Stortford

When you are concerned about the overall health of a tree, it could be due to various issues, but problems with a tree's root system is a commonplace cause of such worries. A professional Bishops Stortford tree surgeon might need to get at the roots to check for root rot, soil compaction, or other related problems.

This was a difficult thing to achieve previously, because during the process of digging down, the roots of the tree could become severely damaged. Many modern day tree surgeons in Bishops Stortford use a method known as "air spading", which employs compressed air to efficiently break up and remove compressed soil without any risk of damaging the tree's roots, or any underground utility lines that happen to be nearby.

The soil around tree roots can get compacted by heavy foot traffic, building work or passing vehicles, and this can have a negative impact on the general health of a tree. When a tree fails to get enough water and nutrients it can become "stressed", and this makes it more vulnerable to attacks by disease, insects and pests. Root flare problems can also be an issue, when the flare around the base of the stem becomes covered in soil, causing tissue breakdown, and increasing the likelihood of root rot. Air-spading is a useful technique for resolving this.

By forcing air into voids in the soil at a speed of 1,200 mph by means of an air compressor and an air-spading tool, the ingenious air-spading process rapidly breaks up the soil without affecting the tree roots. As the surrounding soil is directed away from the tree's roots by the powerful air flow, immediate inspection can take place. Any problems can then be resolved and the soil replaced with a much looser layer of wood chips and fertiliser to encourage the tree to revive.

Essential Skills for a Tree Surgeon in Bishops Stortford

• Have essential computer skills and know how to perform basic tasks with handheld devices.
• Physical skills such as movement and co-ordination.
• Excellent customer skills.
• Have a methodical and systematic approach to work.
• The capacity to work successfully other people.
• Patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations.
• Be capable of using, repairing and maintaining equipment and tools.
• Be professional and capable of completing tasks within a set timeframe.
• Have a good understanding of public safety.
• Be conscious of the complexities and dangers involved in all areas of work.
• Have the ability to work with your hands.

Crown Thinning Bishops Stortford

Doing away with lesser living branches located on the outer region of the crown, though not changing the overall shape or size of that tree, is referred to as crown thinning. This course of action is intended to make a consistent foliage density, which in itself accomplishes particular aims such as: to prevent the tree from uprooting when it's windy, to alleviate the stress put on particular branches as a result of gravity, ice, snow, or wind, to decrease the wind resistance of the tree, to enable more light throughout or to decrease the total weight of the crown. The over-all size and structure of the tree should not be changed by crown thinning, and should just result in a uniform thickness of foliage surrounding consistently spread out branches. (Tags: Tree Crown Thinning Bishops Stortford, Crown Thinning Bishops Stortford, Crown Thin Bishops Stortford)

Tree Surgery - Health and Safety

Tree surgery can certainly be an extremely dangerous undertaking if done badly, for this reason one of the primary considerations is the health and safety aspect. Inexperienced or incapable "tree surgeons" are apt to take shortcuts and simply disregard accepted safety advice, meaning that there could be not roping off the work area to protect vehicles and the general public, no protection from falling, in the shape of platforms, harnesses and ropes, not putting on eye or hearing protection, failing to use cut-proof (chainsaw resistant) clothing (particularly trousers and safety boots), an absence of head protection and falling branches and timber. Owing to these incompetencies, potentially at risk are the groundsperson, garden sheds and fences, vehicles, the tree surgeon himself (up the tree), facilities on the street, the property owners family, nearby buildings, the actual tree, passers by.

Dutch Elm Disease

While Dutch Elm Disease (Ophiostoma novo-ulmi) isn't quite the concern that it once was, during the past five decades or so it has wiped out tens of millons of precious elm trees throughout the British Isles. Inadvertently introduced into the UK, by means of elm logs imported from Canada in the Sixties, Dutch Elm Disease is caused by the fungus Ophiostoma novo-ulmi which is spread by the elm bark beetle.

After arriving in Britain, it was swiftly spread through the nationwide transportation of elm products such as bark mulch, saplings, elm crates, and firewood logs with the bark on. This horrific disease did not just impact elms in Britain, but also devastated tree stocks in continental Europe and North America. While the origins of DED are as yet uncertain, the suspicions are that it first originated from Asia (possibly Japan).

Dutch Elm Disease generally first materializes in early summer, and the main signs are:

• Twigs with rings or spots in cross-section.
• Clusters of leaves turning yellow and wilting.
• New shoots dying back from the tips.
• A "shepherd's crook" reaction on affected twigs.

The felling of infected, dying and dead trees, has essentially eradicated the beetle's favourite habitat, and over the last few years the spread of Dutch Elm Disease has been significantly slowed down. The propagation of young elms which are resistant to DED is a continuing project.

You can get hold of your neighbourhood tree surgeon for advice, if you suspect you may have infected elm trees on your property in Bishops Stortford, or you can ask for a diagnosis from the Tree Health Diagnostic & Advisory Service (THDAS), for which there is a charge.

Trees of the genera Ulmcae and Zelkova are affected.

Agent of spread - small beetles of the Scolytus family.

Cause - fungi Ophiostoma Ulmi & Ophiostoma Novo-Ulmi.

Protecting Shrubs & Trees in Winter

Protecting your shrubs and trees in winter is perhaps a measure that you haven't thought too much about, possibly assuming that the winters in the UK are not severe enough to justify this. Winter can actually be quite a hard time for shrubs, plants and trees and even the ones that we think of as hardy will benefit from a bit of added protection in times of intense cold.

Although the majority of your trees may have already dropped their leaves come wintertime in Bishops Stortford, it is high winds and storms that are the biggest worry, and although they offer less wind resistance, they might still be damaged. If the weather conditions in Bishops Stortford have been windy, and a tree on your property seems to be weakened or in danger of toppling over, it is advisable to call in a tree surgeon to assess whether any action is required. Heavy snow can also lead to snapped branches, so be on the lookout when these sorts of weather conditions are expected. In the height of winter, your shrubs and trees might need a bit of protection from frost and ice. Laying a thick covering of mulch round the bases of the stems will enable them to continue absorbing moisture and prevent the surrounding soil from freezing.

Conservation Areas & Tree Preservation Orders Bishops Stortford

Before you schedule any significant work on your trees in Bishops Stortford, you must make sure none of them have Tree Preservation Orders (TPO's) You local authority is the place to contact to find out if there are any Tree Preservation Orders on your trees. You can't carry out uprooting, wilful damage, topping, felling, wilful destruction, removal or lopping, without consent in writing from the relevant local authority, if a tree on your property is subject to a TPO. You could ask your tree surgeon to help with these checks, any decent one will be ready to offer guidance.

If you currently live within a conservation area in Bishops Stortford, you should always consult with your council regarding any tree surgery work, and if the tree concerned has a trunk diameter of more than 75mm (at a point 1.5m from the ground), you need to give your local council at least 6 weeks written notice. (Tags: Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) Bishops Stortford, Tree Preservation Order (TPO) Bishops Stortford, Tree Preservation Orders Bishops Stortford).

Management of Vegetation

Although many property owners in Bishops Stortford will believe that tree surgeons only deal with the removal and care of trees, that is simply not the case, because most tree surgeons are also willing to take care of overgrown land and gardens that are clogged up with out-of-control plant growth. Quality tree surgeons will usually be quite happy to remove bushes, shrubs, weeds and overgrown vegetation that might be growing close to driveways, sheds, buildings, walkways or walls, and causing an issue. If you are going to maintain your precious garden properly then all this excess growth has to be eradicated frequently, and if you find you've got the inclination and time then this is certainly something you might achieve on your own if you're fit and well, or you might ask a tree surgeon to come every few months to make sure it is under control. Vegetation control is vital if you're to have safe and easy entry to all sections of your garden and if this is ignored the plants and vegetation will soon get out of control and hinder your enjoyment of the garden. Besides everything else your garden will look better when properly maintained. (Tags: Vegetation Control Bishops Stortford, Vegetation Management Bishops Stortford, De-Vegetation Services Hertfordshire)

Cable Bracing Bishops Stortford

Cable bracing is a technique that is used to offer support to a tree when it is showing signs of damage, decay, or is a risk to nearby property (or persons). When valuable or older trees in Bishops Stortford are concerned, cable bracing is generally used where it is undesirable to fell a tree or cut out large portions that are unstable.

To give additional support to defective joints, V-shaped forks and weak limbs in a tree, a specially designed cable bracing setup can be used. To help alleviate structural stress and prolong the life of old and specimen trees most tree surgeons in Bishops Stortford will be prepared to undertake different forms of bracing work through the fitting of cables and rods.

Cable bracing has the purpose of offering a shock-absorbing and flexible means of support that's non-invasive and doesn't cause additional damage to the tree by having to drill and bolt the branches. A risk assessment, to guarantee the safety of the tree and adjoining areas, needs to be undertaken before the commencement of any cable bracing work in Bishops Stortford. (Tags: Cable Bracing Bishops Stortford, Cable Bracing Techniques Bishops Stortford, Cable Bracing Trees Bishops Stortford, Tree Cable Bracing Bishops Stortford).

The Use of Chainsaws

The most dangerous and perhaps the most widely used tool employed by Bishops Stortford tree surgeons, is the chainsaw. Because of their ease of use and portability, petrol driven chainsaws are the most preferred by professionals, although mains and battery versions are available. Petrol chainsaws are really the only choice for heavy tree work, being very powerful, robust and able to slice effortlessly through branches and trunks of any size.

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

Although it's not the safest thing to be climbing up a tree with, it's very rare that you will find a tree surgeon in Bishops Stortford who doesn't use a chainsaw virtually every day. All professional tree surgeons need to be trained in the maintenance and safe use of chainsaws, and this is one of the main conditions for gaining membership of the AA (Arboricultural Association).

For any individual interested in purchasing a chainsaw in the UK, there are numerous brands available, however the most preferred by specialist tree surgeons are Stihl, Hyundai, Husqvarna and Makita.

Accidents Through Tree Surgery

As has been previously stated on this page, the work carried out by tree surgeons and tree care professionals in Bishops Stortford can be extremely dangerous. All reasonable safety measures should be taken when working on trees, because tree work involves a significant risk of injuries to both operatives and passers-by.

It would seem (according to the HSE), that the use of chainsaws, falls from trees, and being struck by a falling branch or tree are responsible for the vast majority of major and fatal injuries that are linked to tree work. The reality is that those working in tree care have a greater likelihood of injuring themselves seriously than those in construction.

In terms of insurance claims the most common tree work accidents involve slipping from ladders, lifting injuries and being struck by objects (trees, grapple hooks, cranes, ropes, branches etc).

All this adds to the importance of employing a seasoned Bishops Stortford tree surgeon to work on your trees. Quite frequently, accidents that happen in the tree care industry are down to untrained operatives attempting work that they aren't equipped for, or skilled at. Consequently, to avoid this sort of issue, always try to use a trustworthy and established Bishops Stortford company who have been trading in the local area for a number of years.

A Tree Surgeons's Regular Duties

• Tree planting and transplanting.
• Fell and remove trees and perform stump grinding.
• Evaluate the health of trees and formulate treatment plans.
• Work with clients and complete administrative tasks.
• Maintain and service equipment like wood chippers and chainsaws.
• Be adept with power tools and other powered equipment.
• Cut and chip logs and branches.
• Prepare tree survey reports for commercial and domestic customers.
• Produce telephone or on-site quotations for clients.
• Clean up site upon completion and remove waste products from customer's site.
• Establish hazards posed by trees.
• Climb trees to prune or remove branches.

Tree Surgery Tasks Bishops Stortford

Bishops Stortford tree surgeons can generally help with arboriculture Bishops Stortford, health assessments, tree care services, vegetation management, root grinding in Bishops Stortford, cut sealing, woodland clearance, root removal, waste removal, felling of storm damaged trees, tree planting, woodchipping, stump treatment, stump removal, tree watering, tree lightening protection, domestic tree surgery, shielding trees from grazing in Bishops Stortford, tree transplanting in Bishops Stortford, hedge cutting, commercial tree surgery, eco-plugging Bishops Stortford, fruit tree pruning, tree dismantling, tree pest management, tree shaping, tree felling, drop crotching, tree surveys, tree pruning Bishops Stortford and other tree surgeon services in Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire. These are just some of the activities that are performed by a tree surgeon. Bishops Stortford specialists will inform you of their whole range of services.

Tree Surgeons Nearby

Also find: Much Hadham tree surgeon, Elsenham tree surgeon, Cradle End tree surgeon, Manuden tree surgeon, Ugley tree surgeon, Ugley Green tree surgeon, Birchanger tree surgeon, Takeley tree surgeon, Stanstead tree surgeon, Thorley Street tree surgeon, Hockerill tree surgeon, Spellbrook tree surgeon and more. The majority of these villages and towns are covered by tree surgeons. Business and home owners in these places can acquire quotes for tree surgery by clicking here.

Tree Care Services Bishops Stortford

Find a Tree Surgeon in Bishops Stortford Here

• Bishops Stortford Tree Inspections
• Bishops Stortford Tree Pollarding
• Bishops Stortford Shrub Maintenance
• Bishops Stortford Cable Bracing
• Bishops Stortford Crown Raising
• Bishops Stortford Arboriculture
• Bishops Stortford Tree Reduction
• Bishops Stortford Air-Spading
• Bishops Stortford Tree Care
• Bishops Stortford Crown Thinning
• Bishops Stortford Soil Terraventing
• Bishops Stortford Tree Removal
• Bishops Stortford Tree Dismantling
• Bishops Stortford Stump Treatment

More Bishops Stortford Trades: Not surprisingly, when you are having tree surgery done in Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire, you'll likely be in need of other garden related services, and apart from a tree surgeon in Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire, you may additionally need fencers in Bishops Stortford, garden clearance in Bishops Stortford, lawn mowing in Bishops Stortford, garden digging services in Bishops Stortford, garden rubbish removal in Bishops Stortford, topiary in Bishops Stortford, soil drainage services in Bishops Stortford, landscapers in Bishops Stortford, patio installation in Bishops Stortford, garden planning and design in Bishops Stortford, driveways in Bishops Stortford, garden shed builders in Bishops Stortford, pond maintenance in Bishops Stortford, decking fitters in Bishops Stortford, local SKIP HIRE in Bishops Stortford, artifical grass in Bishops Stortford, and other different Bishops Stortford tradespeople.

To get local Bishops Stortford information check here

Tree Surgery CM23 area, 01279.

Tree Management Bishops Stortford - Tree Surgeon Bishops Stortford - 01279 - Tree Care Bishops Stortford - Stump Grinding Bishops Stortford - Tree Pruning Bishops Stortford - Tree Surgeons Bishops Stortford - Vegetation Management Hertfordshire - Tree Surgery Bishops Stortford