Chatham Tree Surgeon Kent: An important feature of many properties and gardens in Chatham, trees add style, substance and structure to what can often be a boring and two dimensional area. This is all well and good, but when trees are diseased, neglected, or damaged by severe weather conditions, for instance high winds or flooding, problems may develop which need to be sorted. Seeking the advice and guidance of a professional tree surgeon in Chatham, is the best option when work needs to be completed on your trees.
People in Chatham who try to do tree work on their own, or by using a non-qualified operative could cause a risk of damage to property, the trees and to life. However, even for certified tree surgeons who are acquainted with all the dangers, tree work is not entirely safe. The reality is that tree surgery is among the most dangerous jobs in the UK, with an average of 140 serious injuries and three deaths annually within the industry, and so it's certainly not safe work for amateurs to do.
A damaged or poorly maintained tree can also cause a danger to life, with around 5 people a year being fatally wounded by falling trees and branches in the UK. If you employ someone to conduct tree work and an injury occurs, or property is damaged, you could be liable to third-party compensation claims. These are merely some of the reasons why it is essential to use a qualified tree surgeon to do the work on your trees in Chatham. (Figures sourced from HSE).
A trained tree surgeon in Chatham ought to be a signed up member of at least one of the two professional trade bodies found in the UK. The membership and professional standing of any tree surgeon in Chatham can be checked out on the websites of both the ISA (International Society of Arboriculture) and the AA (Arboricultural Association). Membership of either of these two associations gives the tree surgeon Approved ARB Contractor status which can be checked out on this page.
If there is a problem during or after any work has been finished you will be able to speak to these trade organisations for mediation assistance and for help and guidance at any stage.
If a tree surgeon who is not on this directory list offers to give you a quote, it is recommended that you carry on with your search for an approved and fully qualified contractor, and courteously decline their offer. You should try and get at least three quotations from different companies in the Chatham area as soon as you've reassured yourself of their professional associations and accreditations. Because of the risks of the work involved, you should ask the following questions, making it abundantly clear that you need a response:
- Would I be able to to contact someone you've recently done work for, so that I can assess your tree work? It's recommended that you perform an independent check of any recent work.
- Can you provide documents to indicate that you've got the correct qualifications, membership of the ISA or AA, and also a certificate for chainsaw use and maintenance from the NPTC? It is required by law that any worker/tree surgeon who uses a chainsaw must have a NPTC/LANTRA certificate. National Diplomas and Certificates in Arboriculture are qualifications that might be held by a decent tree surgeon in Chatham.
- Exactly what is your level of insurance cover? Your tree surgeon should be able to show you an insurance certificate covering at the least £5 Million public liability, as stated by the ISA and AA.
- Do you give written quotations? Only ever accept a written quote. NEVER take a verbal quote only.
Easy to follow information on all the work that is being undertaken must be included on the written quote. It should mention who's responsible for the removal of tree branches, stumps and waste, and should also include information on any trees which could be protected in law, and the steps necessary to obtain permission to carry out work on them. You should also ensure VAT is included on the quote unless you're a commercial entity. It is very important that only capable tradespeople are hired to work on your property and trees, and this is wholly down to you.
PRIOR TO WORK - Checking into the possibility of any of your trees having protected status, your selected Chatham tree surgeon should ensure that any tree work can get the green light from the relevant local authorities. Discovering that a tree has got protected status does not signify that work can't be carried out, because even protected trees require maintenance so as to cut back dead or damaged wood and ensure public safety.
If your property in Chatham is inside a designated conservation area then at least 6 weeks written notice is required to the Local Planning Authority prior to any work being undertaken. However, tree stems of under 75mm in diameter when measured at 1.5m above the ground are free from this requirement. Also, if a protected tree's branches need to be pruned or thinned in order to promote and sustain growth, written notice won't be necessary.
After completing a complete assessment of your trees health, your chosen Chatham tree surgeon will decide on the required remedial treatment and how best to achieve the required outcome in a safe manner. Where there is any possibility of falling debris, a full risk assessment will have to be completed on your property, public spaces, and sections of a neighbour's property that could be affected. The amount of operatives needed and the level of protection required, will also be determined at this stage. 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 - To keep unauthorised persons and passers-by away from the work area, safety measures and barriers will be put in place before any cutting of branches, tree felling or climbing commences. Passing traffic might need to be halted temporarily if there is any danger of falling debris into a public road.
Depending on the type of work required a tree surgeon will need varying degrees of protection. At the very least when working with a chainsaw they need to be wearing protective clothing to prevent serious cutting injuries to the hands, legs and torso. All workers involved in the operation should be wearing head and eye protection, and high visibility clothing, at all times.
Additional personnel will usually be necessary to assist in the removal of high branches and sections of tree trunk, especially if working at height is involved, and where ladders and associated climbing equipment is being used. For removing waste, access to the site will be necessary. So, it's advisable to inform your neighbours, because a pickup truck or skip will need to be parked as close as possible to the workplace while the work proceeds.
AFTER COMPLETION OF WORK - All of the waste will be taken away and the site cleared of all debris, once all of the tree work has been concluded. Your tree surgeon will then prepare and sign off a certificate of work, a copy of which will be handed to you. This is particularly important where protected trees are involved. If any public areas needed safety measures, this can be removed and roads and paths will be re-opened.
If you've got any complaints about the completed work, you should get them put right immediately by first of all speaking to the tree surgeon. If there's any further dispute or arbitration required, and your tree surgeon is a member of a professional association, you can get guidance and help from the International Society of Arboriculture or the Arboricultural Association so as to arrive at a satisfactory conclusion.
Local Chatham tree surgeons will probably have the postcode ME4 and the telephone dialling code 01634. They'll operate in Chatham itself, along with nearby areas like Wainscott, Hale, Hempstead, Luton, Rainham Mark, Walderslade, Wigmore, Burham, Gillingham, Lower Upnor, Rochester, St Marys Island, Medway City Estate, Borstal, Upnor, Capstone, Brompton, and these postcodes: ME4 4HA, ME4 4NQ, ME4 4DW, ME4 4PF, ME1 2QH, ME4 4DP, ME4 4SE, ME4 4RJ, ME1 2XG, ME4 4BZ.
For this type of assistance it is definitely a good idea to use a reputable tree surgeon. Chatham home and business owners can benefit greatly from the know-how and skills that are the trademark of a trained professional.
Cable Bracing Chatham
Tree cable bracing is a procedure that's used to provide support for a tree when it shows signs of damage, decay, or presents a risk to surrounding property (or persons). Where the wish is to avoid felling a tree or removing large, unstable sections, due to the tree being old or valuable, cable bracing is the perfect solution.
In order to support V-shaped forks, poor joints and weak limbs in a tree, a specially designed cable bracing system can be used. To help mitigate structural stress and prolong the lifespan of old and specimen trees most Chatham tree surgeons will be prepared to undertake various types of bracing work by the installation of cables and rods.
A non-invasive strategy, that does not damage the tree (as is the case when drilling and bolting the troublesome branches), cable bracing provides shock-absorbing and flexible support. To ensure the safety of the tree and encircling areas, an extensive risk assessment must be conducted before any actual work can proceed. (Tags: Cable Bracing Methods Chatham, Tree Cable Bracing Chatham, Cable Bracing Trees Chatham, Cable Bracing Chatham).
Tree Surveys Chatham
There are a number of reasons why you may require a tree survey, and the most common is for property extension or development. As required by British Standards BS5837 (2012), if you're clearing some land to prepare for the building of an extension to an existing property or a brand new home in Chatham, and there are trees growing on that land, you will need to undertake a professional tree survey. Tree surveys in Chatham should be completed by a qualified tree surgeon or arboricultural surveyor, and this holds true whether the survey is being undertaken on either a public or private property.
Within the specified area, a correctly done tree survey will produce a good deal of information about all the trees. For example:
- The number of trees (those of over 75mm diameter 1.5m from the ground).
- The spread of branches to the East, West, South and North.
- The diameter of each tree (measured 1.5m above the ground).
- The existence of any Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs).
- The structural and physiological health of the trees.
- Allocating a unique tree reference number for each of the trees.
- The age of the trees (i.e. young, semi-mature, mature, over-mature and veteran).
- Recommendations for tree management.
- The species of each tree (either scientific or common).
- The height of each tree.
- The life expectancy of the trees.
A tree survey probably won't be required if you aren't increasing the building's footprint and are not changing the service lines or access points of an existing home or property in Chatham.
The International Society of Arboriculture
The ISA (International Society of Arboriculture) is an international, non-profit organisation that's based in the United States of America, it has the aim of fostering the benefits and awareness of trees. Providing credentials for tree care specialists all over the world, the ISA is a membership association that promotes the professional practice of arboriculture.
Promoting best practices in tree care, and focused on education, technology and research, the ISA provides educational services, publications and events develop the skills, knowledge and arboricultural expertise of individuals in the tree care industry.
In 2016 the United Kingdom's Arboricultural Association (AA) proudly became an associate organisation of the International Society of Arboriculture after signing an agreement with them. This allowed the two to substantially strengthen their relationship, while offering further opportunities for any tree surgeon in Great Britain and Ireland who was a member of the ISA. Being an integral part of a global network of tree care professionals is something that ISA and AA members in the UK and Ireland are now able to benefit from. The ISA now has associate organisations and professional affiliates in EXTRAvegetation management Chatham, soil terraventing, damaged tree cutting and removal, brush cutting services, hazard assessments, tree watering in Chatham, tree work, root grinding, hedge lowering, crown thinning, stump grinding in Chatham, tree felling, retrenchment pruning in Chatham, woodland management, airspading Chatham, tree lightening protection, root pruning, tree shaping, tree pruning in Chatham, tree dismantling Chatham, tree planning, formative pruning, waste removal, tree replanting, tree bracing Chatham, tree reduction, crown removal, tree maintenance, root flare exposure Chatham, stump treatmentTEN, and the UK, and has a worldwide membership of more than 22,000.
Crown Thinning Chatham
The elimination of a lot of the small branches located on the outer crown of a tree to produce a foliage density that is even all the way through without altering the size or shape of a tree, is called crown thinning. This procedure is usually only carried out on trees with broad leaves and is to decrease the tree's wind resistance, to enable more sunlight throughout, to prevent the tree from being uprooted when it is windy, to minimize the stress put on particular branches caused by ice, wind, gravity, or snow or to reduce the weight of the crown. A uniform foliage thickness surrounding consistently spaced branches ought to be the objective of crown thinning, it shouldn't change the overall form and size of the tree. (Tags: Crown Thinning Chatham, Crown Thin Chatham, Tree Crown Thinning Chatham)
Protecting Trees in the Wintertime
Although long periods of intense cold are fairly rare in Chatham it could still be worthwhile to consider a few precautionary measures for protecting your trees and shrubs when the weather conditions turn sour. The winter months can in fact be quite a hard time for plants, shrubs and trees and even those that we think of as hardy can benefit from a bit of extra protection during times of severe cold.
Although many of your trees may have already dropped their leaves by winter in Chatham, it's high winds that are the biggest concern, and although they may offer less wind resistance, they might still be damaged. If you're concerned about the condition of a tree, or it seems like it might topple over, you should call in a tree surgeon to check it out and carry out a risk assessment. Trees and tree branches can also suffer damage due to heavy snow, so be on the lookout for trouble in this sort of weather. Some trees and shrubs, especially recently planted ones, might need some protection from frost and ice, and a substantial covering of mulch can help keep the soil around their bases frost-free.
Tree Surgery Tasks Chatham
Chatham tree surgeons will likely help you with vegetation management Chatham, soil terraventing, damaged tree cutting and removal, brush cutting services, hazard assessments, tree watering in Chatham, tree work, root grinding, hedge lowering, crown thinning, stump grinding in Chatham, tree felling, retrenchment pruning in Chatham, woodland management, airspading Chatham, tree lightening protection, root pruning, tree shaping, tree pruning in Chatham, tree dismantling Chatham, tree planning, formative pruning, waste removal, tree replanting, tree bracing Chatham, tree reduction, crown removal, tree maintenance, root flare exposure Chatham, stump treatment and other tree surgeon services in Chatham, Kent. These are just a handful of the duties that are accomplished by a tree surgeon. Chatham companies will let you know their whole range of services.
Tree Surgeons Nearby
Also find: Borstal tree surgeon, Brompton tree surgeon, Walderslade tree surgeon, Upnor tree surgeon, Wainscott tree surgeon, Wigmore tree surgeon, Lower Upnor tree surgeon, Hempstead tree surgeon, Capstone tree surgeon, Burham tree surgeon, Medway City Estate tree surgeon, St Marys Island tree surgeon and more. The majority of these areas are covered by local tree surgeons. Homeowners in these areas can obtain quotations for tree surgery by clicking here.
Tree Care Services Chatham
- Chatham Hedge Reduction
- Chatham Tree Replanting
- Chatham Tree Removal
- Chatham Tree Lopping
- Chatham Tree Reduction
- Chatham Stump Treatment
- Chatham Woodchipping
- Chatham Crown Lifting
- Chatham Site Clearance
- Chatham Tree Management
- Chatham Root Decompaction
- Chatham Tree Pruning
- Chatham Tree Maintenance
- Chatham Tree Dismantling
Tree Surgeon Jobs Chatham: Find Chatham tree surgeon jobs here: Tree Surgeon Jobs Chatham
Chatham Kent: Find out about Chatham here
Tree Surgery ME4 area, and dialling code 01634.
Tree Surgery Chatham - Vegetation Control Chatham - Tree Removal Chatham - Tree Surgeon Chatham - Tree Surgeons Chatham - Tree Management Chatham - Tree Reshaping Chatham - Stump Removal Chatham - Woodland Management Chatham