Harrogate Tree Surgeon North Yorkshire: A crucial feature of many gardens and properties in Harrogate, trees add structure, style and substance to what can sometimes be a dull and 2 dimensional landscape. However, when trees are neglected or have been affected by severe weather conditions, for example storms or flooding, issues can arise. Prior to any work beginning, the best option is to consult with a skilled tree surgeon in Harrogate, when your trees are in need of attention.
Using non-qualified personnel for tree work or trying to do the work by yourself, could harm your trees, cause damage to property, or even be life threatening. But even hiring a professional tree surgeon who is aware of all the risks doesn't mean that tree work is entirely safe. Within the industry there are a startling average of 3 deaths and 140 serious injuries annually, making it among the most dangerous jobs in Britain.
A neglected or damaged tree can also be a risk to life, with around five people a year being tragically killed by falling trees or branches in the United Kingdom. If you bring in someone to carry out tree work and there is an injury, or damage to property, you may be liable for any compensation to any third-party due to the consequences of your actions. This is why it is imperative to employ a competent tree surgeon to undertake the work on your trees in Harrogate. (The figures given were sourced from HSE UK).
There are 2 main professional industry bodies, at least one of which an experienced Harrogate tree surgeon should be a registered member of. The professional standing and membership of any tree surgeon in Harrogate can be checked out on the websites of both the International Society of Arboriculture and the Arboricultural Association. This page permits you to check out if any particular tree surgeon has recognised Approved ARB Contractor status, and has membership of either of these organisations.
If there is a problem during or after any work has been finished you can make contact with these professional organisations for mediation assistance and for help and advice at any point.
If any tree surgeon who you can't find on this directory offers you an estimate, you should graciously decline their offer of work and find an accredited contractor. Once you're reassured of their professional accreditations and memberships you should try and get at least 3 quotations from different companies in and around Harrogate. You should ask the following questions whilst obtaining these quotes, stating you need them to provide you with the answers due to the risks involved in the work:
- Have you got documentary proof of your professional membership, qualifications and a NPTC/LANTRA certificate for chainsaw use? It is required by law that any tree surgeon using a chainsaw must have gained a NPTC/LANTRA certificate. Qualifications can include City & Guilds Certificates and National Diplomas in Arboriculture.
- Can I assess the quality of your tree work by contacting a person you have recently worked for? It is generally advisable to do an independent examination of recently accomplished work.
- Precisely what level of insurance coverage have you got? As stipulated by the ISA and AA, your tree surgeon ought to be able to show you a certificate covering a minimum of £5 Million public liability insurance.
- Do you supply quotations in writing? You must NEVER accept a verbal quote only. Only ever accept a quote in writing.
Clear and concise information on all the tree work that is being undertaken should be included on the written quotation. It should indicate whose responsibility it is to remove debris, tree branches and stumps, and should also include details about any trees which might be protected, and the steps necessary to obtain permission to work on them. You should also make sure VAT has been included on the quotation unless you are a commercial business. It is crucial to recognise that you've got a responsibility for employing only capable tradespeople to work on your property and trees.
PRIOR TO WORK BEGINNING - Your preferred Harrogate tree surgeon will need to enquire whether any of your trees are protected and make the appropriate steps to make sure that any tree work can be given the go-ahead from the local authority. Finding that a tree has got protected status doesn't imply that work cannot be carried out, as even protected trees need to be maintained so as to cut back old or damaged wood and ensure public safety.
If your property in Harrogate is inside a designated conservation area, the Local Planning Authority (LPA) will need no less than 6 weeks written notice of any intended tree work. However, tree stems of less than 75mm in diameter when measured at 1.5 metres from ground level are free from this requirement. Also, if the branches of a protected tree need to be thinned or pruned to promote and stimulate growth, written notice won't be necessary.
After conducting a complete assessment of your trees health, your chosen Harrogate tree surgeon will determine the remedial treatment required and how best and safely to achieve the required outcome. This will include a risk assessment of any areas that could be impacted by falling branches and debris, such as on your property, in public spaces, and on the properties of your neighbours. At this stage, the level of protection needed and the number of workers required will also be determined. This is both personal protective equipment (PPE) as well as other safety precautions to keep the public and other property safe from damage or harm.
ON THE DAY OF WORK - Before any climbing, cutting of branches or tree felling begins, barriers and safety measures should be put in place to keep unauthorised persons and passers-by away from the area where work is going on. It might at some point be necessary to stop the traffic temporarily, if there is a threat of debris and branches falling onto the highway.
The tree surgeon will need varying levels of protection based on the type of tree work being performed. At the bare minimum they will be wearing special protective clothing to prevent cutting injuries to the legs, hands and torso, when doing chainsaw work. Head and eye protection, and high-vis clothing, should be worn by all workers involved in the operation.
If any working at height is involved, safety climbing equipment and ladders will need to be deployed, and extra workers will be there to help in the safe removal of high branches and sections of tree trunk. A skip or other method of transporting the waste away will be parked as close as possible to the work area, therefore it's a good idea to inform your next door neighbours of the need for access.
UPON COMPLETION OF WORK - On completion of all the work, the site can be cleared of any debris, and all of the branches and waste can be transported away. Your tree surgeon should then sign off and present you with a certificate of work done, particularly where the trees are covered by TPOs. If any safety measures were put in public areas they can now be removed, with highways and footpaths being re-opened.
If you have 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 your tree surgeon is a member of a professional trade body, you can receive advice and help from the Arboricultural Association or the International Society of Arboriculture in order to arrive at an acceptable solution, if any further arbitration is needed.
Locally based Harrogate tree surgery services will likely have the postcode HG1 and the dialling code 01423. They'll work in Harrogate itself, in addition to nearby areas like Killinghall, Bilton, Rossett Green, Beckwithshaw, Woodlands, Starbeck, Forest Lane Head, New Park, Scriven, Rowden, Hookstone Chase, Calcutt, Oatlands, Knaresborough, and these postcodes: HG1 1PN, HG1 1HB, HG1 2BN, HG1 2AQ, HG1 1EG, HG1 1SS, HG1 1LF, HG1 1HH, HG1 1JB, HG1 1AH.
For this sort of assistance it is definitely best to bring in a reputable local tree surgeon. Harrogate business and home owners can benefit from the knowhow and expertise offered by a fully trained professional.
Woodland Clearance Harrogate
Woodland clearance in the Harrogate area should only be commenced after the appropriate regulatory measures and restrictions have been put in place and followed. Calling on the services of a specialist Harrogate tree surgeon for your woodland clearance, will see them applying for any required permits, following applicable covenants and protection orders, and use ethical and eco-friendly procedures for clearing the area.
A decent tree surgeon will establish if there are any special planning permissions, ecological constraints or felling restrictions by conducting a full habitat survey and liaising with the local council. If it is found that protected animal or plant life is on the site that needs clearing, it may be necessary to move such flora and fauna, on approval from the appropriate authorities.
It will be far more economical to bring in a professional Harrogate tree surgeon to carry out your clearance project, given that the mulching, felling and chipping equipment that is needed is very pricey. (Tags: Woodland Clearance Harrogate, Woodland Clearances Harrogate, Woodland Management Harrogate, Woodland Preservation Harrogate).
Accidents Through Tree Surgery
As has been already mentioned on this page, the work that is tackled by tree surgeons and tree care professionals in Harrogate can be highly dangerous. Tree work involves a risk of injuries to both operatives, co-workers and passers-by, therefore all reasonable precautions should be taken when carrying out work on trees.
As reported by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), the majority of fatal and major injuries are linked to falls from trees, the use of chainsaws, and being hit by a falling branch or tree. Surprisingly, the risk of being seriously injured is higher in tree surgery work than it is for those involved in building and construction.
The most common tree care accidents are slipping from ladders, lifting injuries and being struck by objects (branches, trees, ropes, cranes, grapple hooks etc), with regards to insurance claims.
This all accentuates the importance of hiring a knowledgeable Harrogate tree surgeon to do the work on your trees. Most often, accidents in the tree care sector are due to untrained operatives attempting work that they are not equipped for, nor skilled in. Using a trustworthy and established company that's been trading in the Harrogate area for a good few years, is the easiest way to avoid such issues, and get your tree care work done correctly and safely.
Air-Spading Harrogate
There are a number of problems that could make the health of your trees a concern, but issues with a tree's root system are quite frequently the cause. Easy accessibility to the roots of your tree is essential for a qualified tree surgeon in Harrogate to check for root rot, soil compaction and other plausible issues.
This was difficult to achieve in the past, because while digging out the surrounding soil, the roots of the tree could get seriously damaged. Some up-to-date and "savvy" tree surgeons in Harrogate use a system known as "air spading", which employs compressed air to efficiently break down and remove compressed soil without the risk of damage to the tree's roots.
On occasion, passing vehicles, building work or heavy foot traffic can cause the soil around a tree's roots to get compacted, and this can have a negative impact on its health. When a tree fails to get ample nutrients and water it can quickly become "stressed", and this means that it's more susceptible to attack by pests, insects and diseases. Also helpful for dealing with root flare problems, air-spading can be employed to remove the soil from the base of a tree which has become covered in too much soil, heightening the likelihood of root decay.
Blowing air directly into the soil at speeds of up to twelve hundred miles per hour, the ingenious air-spading process involves the use of an air-spade and an air compressor which forces air into voids in the soil, causing it to break down quickly, but not damaging harming the tree roots or nearby utilities. As soil is forced away from the tree's roots by the powerful flow of air, immediate inspection can be accomplished. A solution can then be found for any problems, and the previously compact soil replaced with a looser layer of wood chips and fertiliser to help encourage the tree to revive.
Storm Damage Prevention Harrogate
Although we are all conscious of the power of Mother Nature, big trees seem strong, sturdy and capable of standing up to virtually any eventuality. The life expectancy of most trees far eclipses that of humans or animals, and in fact certain varieties such as yews, oaks and sweet chestnuts can live and continue to grow happily for many hundreds of years.
However, when confronted by certain conditions they can be extremely vulnerable to the elements, and it's not only falling limbs and branches that can be the result, but the entire tree can topple over in extreme weather. High winds and gales are a major issue for trees, and this kind of damage has become more common in Harrogate, as the number of severe storms and weather events escalates with climate change. Soil that becomes waterlogged during prolonged periods of rain or flooding can be another issue, as can heavy wintertime snowfall.
To prune and remove any dead, dying or overhanging branches that may cause a problem in severe weather conditions, it is advisable to get a qualified Harrogate tree surgeon to examine your trees fairly regularly.
It's also recommended to fit bigger trees with lightning rods, copper conductors, or other lightning protection systems, to stop them being struck by lightning, and to safeguard surrounding property and buildings which might be vulnerable to "jumps" and side-flashes. A lightning strike could easily kill a tree, or severely weaken it, rendering it more susceptible to pest attacks and disease. For any of you who think that lightning isn't all that common, there are about 300,000 strikes in the United Kingdom each year.
Ask your local Harrogate tree surgery company what they can do to protect your trees from being damaged by storms and lower the chance of severe consequences should an unsound tree crash down as a result of bad weather. (Tags: Storm Damage Harrogate, Storm Damage Prevention Harrogate, Storm Damaged Trees Harrogate).
Pollarding Harrogate
Where a tree has significantly gotten too big for its present environment, it should be substantially reduced in size by using a technique called pollarding. This method is from time to time employed for visual reasons to mould a tree into a particularly attractive form. It is frequently seen on trees that serve as boundaries or hedgerows, in addition to trees that grow beside streets in Harrogate. The rather bare and harsh appearance that results from pollarding is not at all popular with those who adore trees, since it's so dissimilar to its attractive natural state. The beneficial aspect of pollarding, is that trees that may otherwise have to be felled can be retained. Pollarding is typically used on broad-leafed tree species like horse chestnuts, beeches, maples, oaks, sycamores, limes and planes. (Tags: Tree Pollarding Harrogate, Tree Pruning Harrogate, Pollarding Harrogate)
Stump Grinding
If you've got a need for specialist services such as stump grinding in Harrogate, making sure you employ a company with the correct knowhow and equipment is critical. The very best Harrogate tree surgeons will appreciate that all remnants of the tree stump must be removed to a depth of at least 30 cm. Possessing the right machines ensures that they'll be able to remove stubborn stumps and roots within a few millimetres of structures and walls while avoiding damage. The appropriate machinery is also able to tackle any tree stumps tucked away in narrow passageways and alleys. It can involve a herculean effort to eradicate the stumps of substantial trees, where the stump and main roots go down to a significant depth, rendering the job even more tricky if you do not have the right gear.
Dutch Elm Disease
A fungal disease that has wiped out tens of millons of precious elm trees all over Britain during the past fifty years or so, Dutch Elm Disease (Ophiostoma novo-ulmi) isn't quite the concern that it was at one time. Caused by a fungus called Ophiostoma novo-ulmi which is spread by the elm bark beetle, Dutch Elm Disease was imported into Britain unintentionally in the Sixties from Canada.
After arriving in the UK, it was swiftly spread through the movement of elm products such as saplings, mulching bark, crates, and logs with the bark on. This dreadful disease did not only affect elms in the United Kingdom, but also decimated tree stocks in mainland Europe and North America. Whilst the origins of DED are as yet unproven, the suspicions are that it first originated in Asia (most likely Japan).
The symptoms of Dutch Elm disease usually materialize first in early summer, and can be recognised by:
- Dark rings or spots in the cross-section of twigs.
- A "shepherd's crook" effect on affected twigs.
- Clusters of leaves turning yellow and wilting.
- Shoots that die back from the tip.
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 DED. The propagation of young trees which are so far resistant to DED is a continuing project.
You can contact your local tree surgeon for help and advice, if you suspect that you may have infected elm trees on your property in Harrogate, or you could request a diagnosis from the Tree Health Diagnostic and Advisory Service, for which you will be charged a fee.
(Tags: Symptoms of Dutch Elm Disease, Dutch Elm Disease Harrogate, Spotting Dutch Elm Disease).Ash Dieback (Hymenoscyphus Fraxineus)
A destructive fungal disease which is expected to wipe out about 80% of the current UK ash trees, over the coming years, ash dieback (Hymenoscyphus fraxineus) was first recorded in Britain in 2012, when a nursery brought in a number of trees from Holland. Following on from the catastrophe of Dutch Elm Disease, which decimated Great Britain's elm trees, ash dieback is set to have huge repercussions for our beloved countryside.
Ash dieback has an especially devastating effect on the native British common ash (Fraxinus excelsior), although it actually affects the whole Fraxinus genus of trees, with varying levels of tolerance to it. The fungus which causes ash dieback is called Hymenoscyphus fraxineus (H. fraxineus), and it originally came from Asia.
Ash dieback (or chalara ash dieback as it is sometimes known) has now spread to most regions of Britain, and is dispersed by wind blown spores produced by the fruiting bodies of the fungus, and can travel for many miles, speeding up the process.
Killing tree of all ages, ash dieback can be recognised by symptoms such as:
- Dying leaves and shoots are visible in summer.
- Dark patches on leaves during the summertime.
- New epicormic growth appearing from previously dormant buds (common in stressed trees).
- Wilting leaves that turn black and fall prematurely.
- Dark brown lesions form where branches join the trunk.
Even ash trees which have the ability to fight off the infection, suffer continual attacks year after year and eventually succumb and die. There's not yet any cure or effective treatment for chalara ash dieback, and since it is a disease that is airborne, no effective way to stop it spreading.
If you suspect that you have identified a tree infected with ash dieback on your property in Harrogate, or in the neighbourhood, you can report it to the Forestry Commission's "Tree Alert Service", although chalara ash dieback is so widespread throughout the British Isles that they're only really interested in hearing about cases discovered in areas not previously affected. You can still however speak to a local tree surgeon, who can offer guidance about how best to proceed.
Trees which are affected by ash dieback: Fraxinus excelsior, EXTRAtree surveys, tree transplanting in Harrogate, tree dismantling in Harrogate, professional tree care, brush cutting, tree replanting, stump grinding in Harrogate, waste removal, dead wooding, dead-wooding, forestry management in Harrogate, air spading, safety inspections, tree reshaping, tree work, tree planning, formative pruning, vegetation management Harrogate, tree pruning, root flare exposure in Harrogate, shrub maintenance in Harrogate, tree topping, woodland clearance, woodchipping, tree watering in Harrogate, tree lightening protection in Harrogate, eco plug treatments Harrogate, root pruning, crown cleaning, fruit tree pruningNINE.
(Tags: Identifying Ash Dieback, Symptoms of Ash Dieback, Ash Dieback Harrogate).Tree Removal Harrogate
Despite the fact that there are many explanations why you might have to get a tree removed from your garden or property in Harrogate, tree removal should actually be a last measure. Many trees are even protected by law, therefore you could not take them out even though you want to, unless they are posing a safety threat. Authentic triggers for removing a tree would be if you have a dying/dead tree, the tree is damaged, the tree is in the way of new development, the tree roots are obstructing retaining walls/foundations, the tree poses a threat to safety, your tree has grown too large or your tree is infected. (Tags: Tree Removal Harrogate, Removing Trees Harrogate, Tree Felling Harrogate)
Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) Harrogate
You must make certain that there is not a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) on your trees in Harrogate, before you carry out any serious work on them. To check whether the trees on your property are protected by Tree Preservation Orders, speak to your local authority. You can't conduct topping, wilful destruction, lopping, uprooting, felling, removal or wilful damage, without written permission from the local authority, if a tree on your property is subject to a TPO. Talk to your tree surgeon if you are concerned about this - they'll be able to check this out for you.
If you currently live within a conservation area in Harrogate, you should consult your council about any tree surgery work, and if the tree involved has a diameter of over 75 millimetres (at a point 1.5 metres from ground level), you have to give your local planning authority at least 6 wks notice in writing. (Tags: Tree Preservation Orders Harrogate, TPOs (Tree Preservation Orders) Harrogate, Tree Preservation Order Harrogate).
The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA)
A non-profit international organisation that is based in the United States of America, the International Society of Arboriculture is normally referred to simply as the ISA. Serving the tree care industry all around the globe, the ISA is a membership association that supports the professional practice of arboriculture, providing accreditations for tree care professionals.
Endorsing best tree care practices by way of educational publications, services and events, the ISA has a solid focus on allowing those in the tree care sector fully develop their skills, arboricultural expertise and knowledge wherever possible.
Since an agreement was signed in mid-2016 the Arboricultural Association (AA) has been an associate organisation of the ISA. This substantially strengthened the relationship between the 2 and offered additional opportunities for ISA members in Great Britain and Ireland. UK members of the AA now enjoy the benefits of being part of a global tree care network. With professional affiliates and associate organisations in EXTRAtree surveys, tree transplanting in Harrogate, tree dismantling in Harrogate, professional tree care, brush cutting, tree replanting, stump grinding in Harrogate, waste removal, dead wooding, dead-wooding, forestry management in Harrogate, air spading, safety inspections, tree reshaping, tree work, tree planning, formative pruning, vegetation management Harrogate, tree pruning, root flare exposure in Harrogate, shrub maintenance in Harrogate, tree topping, woodland clearance, woodchipping, tree watering in Harrogate, tree lightening protection in Harrogate, eco plug treatments Harrogate, root pruning, crown cleaning, fruit tree pruningTEN, and the UK, the ISA now boasts over twenty two thousand members from all around the world.
Emergency Call-Outs Harrogate
While emergencies are rare with regards to trees in your garden, accidents are always possible, so it might be a good idea to have an emergency number where you can reach a tree surgeon in Harrogate quickly. When there are storms and strong winds, Harrogate tree surgeons receive a spike in emergency calls, and many of them provide a 24/7 service. While the risk of an entire tree falling down are low, there is more likelihood of branches breaking off and crashing to the ground, when the weather is windy. Commonplace problems that happen due to tree emergencies are cracked greenhouses, squashed sheds, damaged fences and busted garden furniture.
There is also a requirement for emergency tree surgeons by the local council in the Harrogate area, when railway lines, streets and public footpaths get blocked or obstructed by fallen trees and branches.
Further problems could also develop after the emergency tree surgery has been done, because when a tree has lost some of it's larger limbs, it could be lopsided, with the weight unevenly distributed - therefore "re-balancing" may be needed. For all these problems, you should call a local tree surgeon in Harrogate who provides emergency tree care services, and they'll handle all of this for you. You can also obtain emergency tree surgery services in Killinghall, Bilton, Rossett Green, Beckwithshaw, Woodlands, Starbeck, Forest Lane Head, New Park, Scriven, Rowden, Hookstone Chase, Calcutt, Oatlands, Knaresborough, and Harrogate, North Yorkshire. (Tags: Emergency Tree Services Harrogate, Emergency Call-Outs Harrogate, Emergency Tree Surgery Harrogate, Tree Care Emergencies Harrogate).
Invasive Tree Root Problems Harrogate
Because some trees have particularly intrusive roots, if they are growing too near to your house in Harrogate, they can lead to a number of problems, possibly serious ones. Problems that can arise include cracked patios, blocked drains and damaged foundations. Sycamores, willows, maples and elms, are renowned for having extremely aggressive root systems.
Challenges can be avoided later on, if you make sure that you plant new trees as far as possible away from your drainage system, pathways, your house and patio areas. If existing trees are growing too close to your dwelling and are already causing some of these issues, you should bring in a tree surgeon in Harrogate, to see what can be done.
This is not really the kind of job you should try and do yourself, and just cutting out the problematic tree roots could kill off the tree or significantly threaten it's health. An experienced tree care specialist in Harrogate will know which roots can be safely cut, and which roots should be left in place, so the damage is reduced, but the tree is still able to get enough water and food to survive and thrive.
As sewerage pipes provide a consistent source of nutrients and moisture, shrub and tree roots often cause structural problems in underground drainage systems. A drainage system's joints can very soon be compromised by teeny roots, which once established can develop into substantial root balls and ultimately cause blockages and joint failure. Many Harrogate tree surgeons will provide specialised root removal solutions, which will include the use of mechanical equipment, manual rod clearance or high pressure jetting.
Tree Surgery Tasks Harrogate
Harrogate tree surgeons will likely help you with tree surveys, tree transplanting in Harrogate, tree dismantling in Harrogate, professional tree care, brush cutting, tree replanting, stump grinding in Harrogate, waste removal, dead wooding, dead-wooding, forestry management in Harrogate, air spading, safety inspections, tree reshaping, tree work, tree planning, formative pruning, vegetation management Harrogate, tree pruning, root flare exposure in Harrogate, shrub maintenance in Harrogate, tree topping, woodland clearance, woodchipping, tree watering in Harrogate, tree lightening protection in Harrogate, eco plug treatments Harrogate, root pruning, crown cleaning, fruit tree pruning and other tree surgeon services in Harrogate, North Yorkshire. These are just an example of the tasks that are performed by a tree surgeon. Harrogate providers will be delighted to keep you abreast of their whole range of services.
Tree Surgeons Nearby
Also find: Hookstone Chase tree surgeon, Scriven tree surgeon, Rossett Green tree surgeon, Forest Lane Head tree surgeon, Killinghall tree surgeon, New Park tree surgeon, Calcutt tree surgeon, Rowden tree surgeon, Oatlands tree surgeon, Starbeck tree surgeon, Woodlands tree surgeon, Bilton tree surgeon, Beckwithshaw tree surgeon and more. Practically all of these areas are serviced by tree surgeons. Householders in these localities can acquire tree surgery quotations by going here.
Tree Care Services Harrogate
- Harrogate Crown Lifting
- Harrogate Tree Planning
- Harrogate Stump Treatment
- Harrogate Tree Transplanting
- Harrogate Tree Dismantling
- Harrogate Shrub Maintenance
- Harrogate Tree Watering
- Harrogate Root Grinding
- Harrogate Tree Removal
- Harrogate Tree Reduction
- Harrogate Tree Care
- Harrogate Tree Maintenance
- Harrogate Dead Wooding
- Harrogate Hedge Planting
For the latest local Harrogate information check here
Tree Surgery HG1 area, and dialling code 01423.
Tree Surgery Harrogate - Arboriculture Harrogate - Tree Care Harrogate - Forest Management Harrogate - 01423 - Stump Grinding Harrogate - Tree Surgeon Harrogate - HG1 - Tree Removal Harrogate