Tree Surgeon Dartford

Those in Dartford who attempt to do tree work on their own, or by using a non-qualified person could cause a risk of damage to property, the trees and to life. But even hiring a competent tree surgeon who's aware of all the dangers doesn't mean that tree work is entirely safe. In fact tree surgery is one of the most hazardous jobs in the UK, with an average of 140 severe injuries and 3 deaths a year within the profession, therefore it is certainly not safe work for amateurs.

With around five people annually being killed by falling branches or trees in the United Kingdom, even a neglected or damaged tree can also present a risk to life. You may well be liable to third-party compensation claims due to the consequences of your actions, if you hire someone to carry out tree work and an injury, or damage to property occurs. This is why it is imperative to use a certified tree surgeon to do the work on your trees. (The above figures were sourced from HSE UK).

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

You will be able to communicate with these trade organisations for arbitration assistance and for guidance and help, if there is an issue at any point during the work, or after it has been concluded.

You should courteously decline the offer of a quote from anybody who isn't on this directory, and continue your search for an approved and qualified tree surgeon. You should try to get at least 3 different quotations from various companies in the Dartford area once you are reassured of their professional associations and accreditations. Due to the risks involved in the work, you should ask the below questions, making it abundantly clear that you need a response:

• Can I contact some past customers so that I can assess the quality of your tree work? It's advisable to carry out an independent examination of any recent work.
• Can you give me a quotation in writing? Always try to get a written quote, and NEVER accept a quote that is only given verbally.
• Do you have a NPTC/LANTRA certificate for chainsaw use and maintenance, and documentary verification of your professional memberships and qualifications? It is required by law that any tree surgeon/operative who uses a chainsaw must have gained NPTC/LANTRA certification. A trained Dartford tree surgeon might hold Certificates and National Diplomas in Arboriculture.
• What is your level of insurance cover? As suggested by the AA and ISA, your tree surgeon ought to be able to produce a certificate covering a minimum of £5 Million public liability insurance.

The written quote must include easily followed details of the work being undertaken. It should state who is responsible for the removal of tree branches, stumps and debris, and should also include specifics of any trees which could be protected, and the steps required to get permission to carry out work on them. Double check that they have also included VAT on the quotation. It's vitally important that only competent tradespeople are hired to work on your property and trees, and this is entirely down to you. This is laid out by the "Common law duty of care responsibilities under the Occupier's Liability Acts of 1957 and 1984."

PRIOR TO WORK BEGINNING - Making enquiries into the possibility of any trees having protected status, your preferred Dartford tree surgeon should ensure that any work can get the green light from the appropriate local authority. To ensure public safety, even protected trees need maintenance in order to cut back old or dying wood, so finding that a tree is protected doesn't mean that you are unable to carry out important work.

No less than 6 weeks written notice must be given to the Local Planning Authority (LPA) before any tree work can be performed, if your property in Dartford is situated in a conservation area. This is only required for trees with a trunk diameter of more than 75mm in diameter, at a point 1.5 metres from ground level. It's also not necessary to give written notice if a protected tree's branches need thinning or pruning simply to promote and sustain growth.

After fully assessing the health of your trees, your Dartford tree surgeon will decide on the necessary treatments and how the best outcome can be safely achieved. Where there's any possibility of falling debris and branches, a risk assessment will have to be performed on your property, public areas, and sections of a neighbour's property that might be affected. At this stage, the quantity of workers needed and the level of protection required will also be ascertained. This will include a number of safety precautions together with PPE to ensure the safety of the general public and nearby property.

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 where work is going on. Passing traffic might have to be halted temporarily if there's any risk of debris falling onto a public road.

Different levels of protection will be needed by the tree surgeon depending on what work needs to be performed. When working with a chainsaw, they will at a bare minimum be wearing special protective clothing to prevent serious cutting injuries to the hands, legs and torso. Every worker involved in the operation, should at all times be wearing high visibility clothing, and eye and head protection.

Additional operatives will usually be needed to help in the removal of high branches and pieces of tree trunk, especially if working at height is involved, and where ladders and associated climbing equipment is being deployed. For removing waste materials, access to the work site will be needed. So, it's a good idea to inform your neighbours, as a pick up truck or skip will need to be stationed as close as possible to the workplace while work proceeds.

AFTER COMPLETION OF WORK - On completion of all the work, the whole site can be cleared of any debris, and all of the waste and branches can be transported away. A certificate of work should then be prepared by your tree surgeon, particularly where the trees are covered by TPOs, which can be signed off and a copy presented to you. If any safety measures were put in public areas they can now be removed, with footpaths and roads being re-opened.

If you've got any problems or issues with the finished work, you should first take them up with the tree surgeon so that they can be put right immediately. If any further arbitration is needed, and your tree surgeon is a signed up member of a professional trade association, you can get advice and help from the ISA or AA so as to arrive at a satisfactory conclusion.

Local Dartford tree surgery services are likely to have the postcode DA1 and the telephone code 01322. They will work in Dartford itself, in addition to nearby areas like Hextable, Wilmington, Erith, Leyton Cross, Sutton at Hone, Bexleyheath, North Cray, Stone, Questor, Darenth, Crayford, Swanscombe, Hook Green, Belvedere, Welling, Hawley, Bexley, Greenhithe, and these postcodes: DA1 1HD, DA1 1JE, DA1 1PA, DA1 1QG, DA1 1EX, DA1 1DT, DA1 1TF, DA1 1SA, DA1 1HJ, DA1 1NW.

For this sort of service it is unquestionably wise to use a reputable tree surgeon. Dartford home and property owners can benefit from the expertise offered by a seasoned professional.

Removing Tree Stumps Dartford

When you have a tree cut down from your garden in Dartford, unless previously agreed with the tree surgery company, you will be left with a stump to deal with. Now, in some cases you may be happy enough to leave the tree stump in place and let it rot and break down in a natural way. However, tree stumps can be an eyesore, can attract harmful pests, and be a trip hazard for your family.

There are several techniques for removing a stump entirely, but stump grinding and stump removal are the 2 main choices. In the next couple of paragraphs we will be looking at the removal option as opposed to grinding.

There are essentially 3 techniques for removing a tree stump - digging out by hand, burning or chemical treatment. If it's your intention to perform the tree stump removal yourself, any of these procedures could be an option. If a local Dartford tree surgeon is going to be performing the work, stump grinding is typically their technique of choice, although eco-plugging or another chemical stump removal treatment might be offered.

Digging Out a Stump by Hand: Digging up a stump by hand calls for a few tools such as a handsaw, a chainsaw, loppers and a pointed shovel. It entails digging down to reveal the roots, chopping the roots with a saw or loppers, and ultimately freeing up the stump, or making it easier to pull out. Some type of winch might be needed for the final freeing procedure. This kind of work isn't for the faint-hearted or unfit, as it is tedious and exhausting.

Chemical Treatments: A powerful chemical mixture like Roundup Tree Stump Remover, Vitax SBK Stump Killer or Resolva Xtra Tough Tree Stump Killer, will be needed if you choose to go with the chemical treatment option. Wear gloves and avoid contact with the skin when applying any of these chemical solutions, and also avoid inhaling. You should abide by the manufacturer's directions, for timings, rates and applications. Depending on the size of the tree stump, and if it is dead or alive at the time of treatment, it can take several weeks or even months for a tree stump to rot completely, so look at this as a long term fix. Once well rotted, it can be chopped up with an axe and dug out with a shovel.

Stump Burning: Because it can be dangerous and may conflict with local legislation, burning stumps isn't really a recommended course of action, so if you choose this technique, take care. It involves drilling some 25mm holes into the stump and continually filling and topping up the holes with vegetable oil and left to sit for aa few days. Charcoal is then stacked around the tree stump and set alight. Such a fire shouldn't be left unwatched, and should be supervised until safely burnt out. When the fire has burnt out, you need to make sure that it is fully extinguished and cooled down, after which you can dig out the remnants of stump and roots.

You'll find there are also additional burning methods, such as digging out beneath and lighting a charcoal or log fire in the hollowed-out root bowl. None of these stump burning solutions should even be considered if the stump is near to a building, fences or other trees.

A Tree Surgeons's Daily Duties

• Be proficient with power tools and other powered machinery.
• Service equipment like wood chippers and chainsaws.
• Tidy work area on completion and remove waste from client's site.
• Produce tree survey reports for commercial and domestic customers.
• Fell and remove trees and grind stumps.
• Climb trees to remove or prune branches as required.
• Deal with customers and complete administration duties.
• Establish hazards posed by trees.
• Produce telephone or on-site price quotes with the customers.
• Tree planting and transplanting.
• Chip and cut logs and branches.
• Assess the health of trees and create plans of action.

Tree Pollarding Dartford

The method whereby the size of a tree is dramatically lessened because it's got too large for its existing surroundings, is know as pollarding. It can on occasion be used for visual or functional reasons to change a tree into a specific shape. It is quite often seen on trees that serve as boundaries or hedgerows, and also trees that grow alongside roads in Dartford. Seeing that pollarded trees have such a stark and bare visual appearance, and will never get back to their earlier shape, the process is not usually popular with those who love trees. However, in spite of the relatively unsightly appearance of recently pollarded trees like limes, sycamores, maples, planes, beeches, oaks and horse chestnuts, there is a positive element to this process, in that such trees can be preserved when they would otherwise need to be cut down.

Crown Thinning Dartford

The removal of some of the small branches at the tree's outer crown to produce a density of foliage that is even throughout without changing the size or shape of a tree, is called crown thinning. This specific work is usually only carried out on trees with broad leaves and is done to ease the stress upon specific limbs because of ice, wind, snow, or gravity, to lessen the wind resistance of the tree, to allow more light throughout, to prevent the tree uprooting in blustery weather conditions or to decrease the weight of the crown of the tree. Crown thinning shouldn't alter the all round size and form of the tree, but ought to establish a uniform thickness of foliage surrounding consistently spaced limbs. You should be able to find crown thinning in Hextable, Wilmington, Erith, Leyton Cross, Sutton at Hone, Bexleyheath, North Cray, Stone, Questor, Darenth, Crayford, Swanscombe, Hook Green, Belvedere, Welling, Hawley, Bexley, Greenhithe, and the Dartford area.

Tree Root Problems Dartford

When they are growing too near to your dwelling in Dartford, some larger trees have really aggressive roots, and can cause issues. These problems could include things like cracked patios, blocked drains and damaged foundations, to name but a few. Elms, sycamores, maples and willows, are notorious for having extremely invasive root systems.

If you're planting new trees, ensure that they are located sufficiently far from your drainage system, your house, pathways and patio areas, so they won't lead to problems later on. If you already have problems with pre-existing trees which are growing too close to your house, you can get guidance and advice by bringing in a local Dartford tree surgeon.

You should not try to solve this yourself by simply hacking off the problematic roots, as this could seriously threaten the tree's health or even kill it. So that any damage to property is reduced, and the tree is still able to get sufficient water and nutrients to thrive and survive, an experienced tree care specialist in Dartford will know precisely which roots should be left, and which roots can be safely cut.

Tree and shrub roots frequently cause structural issues in subterranean drains, especially when you consider that sewage lines provide a constant source of moisture and nutrients. Blockages and joint failure can arise, when small tree roots compromise the joints of a drainage system, establish themselves and grow into massive root balls. Many Dartford tree surgeons will provide specialised root removal services, which will involve the use of high pressure water jetting, electro-mechanical equipment or manual rod clearance. Root removal services are also available in Hextable, Wilmington, Erith, Leyton Cross, Sutton at Hone, Bexleyheath, North Cray, Stone, Questor, Darenth, Crayford, Swanscombe, Hook Green, Belvedere, Welling, Hawley, Bexley, Greenhithe, and and of course in Dartford.

Storm Damaged Trees Dartford

Of all the things that grow in our garden, trees appear to be the sturdiest, strongest and the most likely to stand up to the vagaries of Mother Nature. In actual fact certain types of trees can live for hundreds of years and happily do so without any issues.

Even so, trees can be quite vulnerable to the elements when faced with a certain set of conditions, and it isn't simply the possibility of falling limbs or branches, but in times of extreme weather the whole tree can fall down. The primary weather related enemy of trees is wind, and as the frequency of severe weather events and storms in Dartford increases due to climate change, this type of damage has become more and more commonplace. Heavy snowfall during winter can also cause issues, as can waterlogged soil resulting from extended periods of rainfall or floods.

It's recommended that you get a qualified Dartford tree surgeon to check out your trees to lessen the likelihood of problems with your trees in times of severe weather, they will trim and remove any dead, dying or overhanging branches that might be a problem.

Copper conductors, lightning rods, or other protection systems are also a good idea for bigger trees, to lower the chances of them being struck by lightning and to safeguard nearby property and buildings which might be vulnerable to side-flashes ("jumps") that can cause further destruction, along with damage done to the tree itself. A lightning strike could easily kill a tree, or drastically weaken it, rendering it more vulnerable to pest attacks or disease. While you might not think that lightning is that common in Dartford, each year around 300,000 strikes occur throughout Great Britain.

To safeguard your trees from being damaged by storms and reduce the chances of serious consequences should an unstable tree crash down as a result of extreme weather conditions, ask your local Dartford tree surgery company what can be done.

Vegetation Control

Whilst many homeowners in Dartford will assume that tree surgeons only deal with the removal and maintenance of trees, that's really not the case, because the vast majority of tree surgeons will also manage overgrown land and gardens that are choked with proliferating plant growth. Usually tree surgeons will be more than happy to get rid off weeds, shrubs, overgrown vegetation and bushes which might be growing close to driveways, walkways, buildings, sheds or walls, and creating a nuisance. If you are to maintain your precious garden properly then all this excessive growth ought to be removed on a regular basis, and if you've got the time and inclination this is a task you may undertake on your own if you're in good health, or you might ask a local tree surgeon to call in once a year to keep it looking good. Vegetation control is important if you're going to have easy and safe entry to every section of your property and if this is forgotten the vegetation will soon get out of control and spoil your enjoyment of the garden. Apart from anything else the garden will also look a picture when maintained properly. (Tags: De-Vegetation Services Dartford, Vegetation Control Dartford, Vegetation Management Kent)

Tree Transplanting Dartford

Re-planting fully-grown trees is an intricate, but rather straightforward process, due mostly to modern tractor mounted tree spades, tree lifting devices and other specialist tools. Removing a tree from your property no longer means you have to resort to chopping it down and digging out the roots; a specialist tree removal service in Dartford can remove and transplant even fully developed trees and repair the disturbed ground afterwards.

Transplanting a tree in Dartford causes less stress to the root system and health of the tree in autumn and winter seasons, but it can still be conducted in warmer summer months by soaking the soil comprehensively before lifting. To lift a tree from the earth a tractor based mechanical spade is forced down into the ground to encapsulate the tree's root ball, before hauling the whole thing free. The tree can then be replanted or stored temporarily before its re-planting in its new home.

A certified tree moving business in Dartford will collaborate with local authorities to ensure that local regulations and preservation orders are complied with throughout the tree lifting and transplantation procedure. (Tags: Tree Moving Dartford, Tree Transplanting Dartford, Tree Replanting Dartford).

Tree Surgery Tasks Dartford

Dartford tree surgeons can usually help you with tree transplanting, tree reshaping Dartford, crown reduction in Dartford, retrenchment pruning, repair of storm damaged trees, shrub maintenance, damage restoration, crown cleaning in Dartford, coppicing, tree topping, cable bracing, tree fertilising, hedge laying, crown lifting, tree cutting, landscaping, woodchipping, stump grinding, drop crotching, tree management Dartford, airspading, tree lightening protection Dartford, brush cutting, the removal of dead wood, tree planning Dartford, tree bracing Dartford, crown raising, vegetation management in Dartford, tree waste removal Dartford, tree surveys in Dartford and other tree surgeon services in Dartford, Kent. These are just a selection of the duties that are performed by a tree surgeon. Dartford specialists will let you know their entire range of services.

Tree Surgeons Nearby

Also find: Leyton Cross tree surgeon, Hawley tree surgeon, Sutton at Hone tree surgeon, Darenth tree surgeon, Temple Hill tree surgeon, Questor tree surgeon, Belvedere tree surgeon, Welling tree surgeon, North Cray tree surgeon, Green Street Green tree surgeon, Slade Green tree surgeon, Crayford tree surgeon and more. All of these villages and towns are served by tree care companies. Householders in these localities can acquire estimates for tree surgery by clicking here.

Tree Care Services Dartford

Find a Tree Surgeon in Dartford Here

• Dartford Hedge Planting
• Dartford Tree Surveys
• Dartford Wood Chipping
• Dartford Cable Bracing
• Dartford Forestry Management
• Dartford Tree Reduction
• Dartford Stump Treatment
• Dartford Tree Transplanting
• Dartford Arboriculture
• Dartford Tree Planning
• Dartford Tree Inspections
• Dartford Woodland Management
• Dartford Hedge Reduction
• Dartford Tree Replanting

Dartford: If you want on Dartford take a look here

Tree Surgery DA1 area, and dialling code 01322.

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