Harwich Tree Surgeon Essex: Trees are an important feature of many properties and gardens in Harwich, and they can often transform a largely 2 dimensional area by adding style, substance and structure. However, when trees have been poorly maintained or have been affected by extreme weather events like high winds or flooding, problems can develop. Before any work begins, the best option is to get advice from a certified tree surgeon in Harwich, when your trees need attention.
Employing an unqualified operative for tree work or trying to do it yourself, could cause damage to property, harm your trees, or even be life threatening. However, even for skilled tree surgeons who know about all the dangers, tree work is not entirely safe. Within the profession there are an average of 3 deaths and 140 serious injuries a year, making it one of the most dangerous jobs in the UK.
There's also a danger to life from neglected or damaged trees in Harwich, seeing as around 5 people per year are killed in Britain by falling trees and branches. If you employ somebody to perform tree work and there is an injury, or damage to property, you could be liable to third-party compensation claims as a consequence of your actions. This is why it is important to employ a skilled tree surgeon to undertake the work on your trees. (Source - HSE UK).
SELECTING A TREE SURGEON IN HARWICH - There are 2 industry bodies that a seasoned Harwich tree surgeon should really be an approved member of. Both the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and the Arboricultural Association (AA) offers a website where you can check up on the professional status and membership of any tree surgeon. To determine whether any particular tree surgeon has recognised ARB Approved Contractor status and has membership of either of these two organisations, you can check on this website.
If a problem springs up during or after any work has been accomplished you are able to contact these industry associations for mediation assistance and for help and guidance at any stage.
You should tactfully decline the offer of a price quote from anyone who you can't find on this directory list, and continue your search for an approved and fully qualified contractor. It's best to get at least three different estimates from various companies in and around Harwich, when you've meticulously checked their professional accreditations and memberships. You should ask the below questions while acquiring the quotes, making it abundantly clear that you need them to provide the answers because of the risks of the work involved:
- Can I contact some former customers to inspect the quality of your work? It is advisable to do an independent check of any recent work.
- Have you got documents to indicate that you've got the correct qualifications, membership of the AA or ISA, and also a certificate for basic chainsaw use from the NPTC/LANTRA? It is required by law that any tree surgeon/operative using a chainsaw must have NPTC/LANTRA certification. Qualifications might include City & Guilds Certificates and Diplomas in Arboriculture.
- How much insurance cover is provided? Don't consider a tree surgeon in Harwich with any less than £5 Million public liability insurance as recommended by the ISA and AA.
- Can you offer me a quotation in writing? Always get a written quote, and NEVER accept a quote that is only given verbally.
On the written quote that you receive, you will need there to be clear and precise information on all the tree work that's being undertaken. It should state whose responsibility it is to remove debris, tree branches and stumps, and should also include details of any trees which might be protected, and the steps needed to obtain permission to carry out work on them. Double check that they have also included VAT on the quotation. You've got a responsibility for hiring only trained tradespeople to work on your property and trees, and it is very important to understand that.
PRIOR TO WORK - Checking into the possibility of any trees being protected, your chosen Harwich tree surgeon should make certain that any tree work gets the go-ahead from the appropriate local authorities. Even protected trees need to be maintained in order to cut back dead or dying wood and ensure the safety of the public, so discovering that a tree has protected status doesn't mean that work can't still be carried out.
If your property in Harwich is situated in a conservation area, the Local Planning Authority will need a minimum of 6 weeks written notice of any proposed tree work. However, tree trunks of less than seventy five millimetres in diameter when measured at 1.5m above ground level are exempt from this requirement. Written notice is also not a requirement if pruning or thinning of a protected tree's branches is essential in order to promote and sustain growth.
After assessing the health of your trees, your chosen Harwich tree surgeon will determine the necessary treatments and how the required outcome can safely be achieved. This will involve a risk assessment of areas that may be affected by falling debris, such as in public areas, on your property, and on the properties of next door neighbours. This stage will also ascertain the level of protection required and the number of workers needed. To keep property and the general public safe from damage or harm, this will include both PPE and other safety measures.
ON THE DAY OF WORK - To keep unauthorised persons away from the area of work, safety measures, cones and barriers will be put in place before any tree felling, cutting of branches or climbing begins. It might at some stage be necessary to stop the traffic temporarily, if there is a risk of branches and debris falling onto the road.
Different levels of protection will be necessary for the tree surgeon subject to what work needs to be done. When doing basic tree work with a chainsaw, to avoid serious cutting injuries to the legs, torso and hands, they will as a bare minimum be wearing protective clothing. Eye and head protection, and high-vis clothing, should be worn by all workers involved in the operation.
Ladders and associated climbing equipment will be necessary if any working at height is involved, and to help in the safe removal of high branches and large pieces of tree trunk, additional personnel will be essential. For taking waste materials away from the area, a skip or truck will be parked as close to the work area as possible. This need for unhindered access is reason enough for informing your nearby neighbours of the work.
AFTER COMPLETION OF WORK - All of the waste will be hauled away and the site cleared of all debris, after all work has been finished. Your tree surgeon will then put together and sign off a certificate of work, a copy of which will be presented to you. This is especially important where trees covered by a protection order are involved. Paths and highways can then be re-opened to the public, with any safety measures in public spaces being taken away.
If you've got any complaints about the completed work, you should get them fixed straight away by first of all speaking to the tree surgeon. If your tree surgeon is a registered member of a professional trade association, you can get help and advice from the International Society of Arboriculture or the Arboricultural Association in order to arrive at a satisfactory conclusion, if any further arbitration is required.
Local Harwich tree surgery services will likely have the dialling code 01255 and the postcode CO12. They'll operate in Harwich itself, along with nearby areas such as Bradfield, Little Bromley, Great Oakley, Walton-on-the-Naze, Parkeston Quay, Little Bentley, Kirby le Soken, Little Oakley, Dovercourt, Weeley, Lawford, Ramsey, Thorpe-le-Soken, Wrabness, Beaumont, Frating, and these postcodes: CO12 3JW, CO12 3EA, CO12 3JQ, CO12 3PN, CO12 3EF, CO12, CO12 3NW, CO12 3BN, CO12 3AT, CO12 3NP.
If you need this kind of service it is definitely advisable to hire a trusted local tree surgeon. Harwich property owners can benefit from the knowhow and expertise offered by a fully trained professional.
Storm Damage Harwich
At first glance, trees seem strong, sturdy and able to withstand more or less anything that Mother Nature can throw at them. Certain varieties of trees can in actual fact live for many hundreds of years and will happily do so in most scenarios.
Nevertheless, they can be quite susceptible to the elements when facing certain conditions, and it's not simply the possibility of falling branches and tree limbs, but in times of extreme weather the whole tree can fall over. Trees have got one major weather related enemy, and that is wind. As severe storms and extreme weather events become more and more commonplace with climate change, this form of damage will occur more frequently in Harwich. Heavy snow during winter can also be a problem, as can saturated soil resulting from flooding or prolonged periods of rainfall.
So as to be prepared for any problems that could occur during severe weather conditions, it's advisable to have a competent Harwich tree surgeon prune and remove any dead, dying or excessively long branches, and check for any other issues.
It's also a good idea to fit taller trees with lightning rods, copper conductors, or other protection systems, to prevent them being struck by lightning, and to safeguard nearby buildings and property which may be vulnerable to "arcs" and side-flashes. Lightning strikes can drastically weaken trees, making them more vulnerable to pest attacks and disease, and even kill them in some cases. Whilst you may not believe that lightning is that common in Harwich, every year about 300,000 strikes are recorded throughout Great Britain.
If you are worried about the chance of storm damage to your trees in Harwich, you should ask your local tree surgery company what they can do to safeguard them, and lower the risk of mishaps occurring. (Tags: Storm Damage Harwich, Storm Damage Prevention Harwich, Storm Damaged Trees Harwich).
Tree Removal Harwich
Trees are normally beneficial, therefore the removal of a tree should really be a final resort. Nonetheless, there are genuine triggers for removing a tree from your garden or property in Harwich. Among the common reasons for having to remove a tree are if: your tree poses a risk to safety, your tree is infected, the roots are damaging foundations/retaining walls, the tree is too big for its environment, your tree is hindering a new construction project, you have a dying/dead tree or your tree has been damaged. (Tags: Removing Trees Harwich, Tree Removal Harwich, Tree Felling Harwich)
Chainsaws
Probably the most commonplace piece of equipment used by experienced tree surgeons in Harwich, the chainsaw is also the most dangerous in untrained hands. Petrol driven chainsaws are the most popular with tree care professionals, due to their ease of use and portability, although mains models are available, and battery operated chainsaws are becoming more popular in certain situations. Where thick limbs and large trunks need cutting, such substantial tree work requires the use of the most powerful petrol driven chainsaws.
Basically, a chainsaw consists of a motor-driven chain that has a set of teeth for cutting through bark and inner wood. Chainsaws also come in a variety of styles, each having its own distinct use - rear-handled for working on the ground (must be used with two hands), top-handled for working at height (and which can be used single handedly if required) and pole saws for hard to reach branches and long distance pruning.
Whilst climbing high up a tree with a rapidly rotating blade in your hand is a somewhat dangerous activity, you will rarely see a tree surgeon in Harwich who doesn't use a chainsaw. To be able to become a member of the Arboricultural Association, being fully trained in the safe use of chainsaws is one of the primary requirements for tree surgeons.
There are many different brands and models of chainsaw, but the main ones used by tree surgery specialists in the UK are Stihl, Makita, Husqvarna and Hyundai.
Tree Surgery - Safety Considerations
The health and safety issue is one of the most important challenges when doing tree surgery, given that if done improperly it can definitely be a very dangerous process. Inexperienced or unqualified "tree surgeons" are apt to take shortcuts and just ignore accepted safety guidance, meaning that there might be neglecting to cordon-off the area to protect vehicles and passers-by, inadequate head protection, falling branches and timber, failing to wear cut resistant apparel (particularly safety boots and trousers), not putting on hearing or eyesight protection and little if any protection from falling, in the shape of platforms, harnesses and ropes. Due to these incompetencies, possibly vulnerable are garden features and fencing, pedestrians, the tree surgeon himself (person up the tree), parked and passing vehicles, the groundsman, nearby properties, the tree itself, the people living in the property, the street facilities.
Eco-Plugging Tree Stumps Harwich
The customary technique employed for removing tree stumps by most Harwich tree surgeons is stump grinding. There is however a more affordable alternative to this approach nowadays, which is termed "eco-plugging", and this is growing in popularity. Eco-plugging isn't only cheaper, but it is also ideal for use in hard-to-reach locations where there are stump grinding accessibility problems.
An effective treatment for eliminating tree stumps, eco-plugging does not affect any nearby vegetation and trees. Eco-plugs eliminate the stump by destroying the entire root system, and can be utilised in any weather, and at any time of the year. Containing a kind of granular glyphosate herbicide which is effective on a wide selection of trees, eco-plugs get the job done in 95-100% of cases.
Protecting Trees & Shrubs in the Wintertime
Although you might not believe that the weather in Harwich is severe enough to warrant protecting your shrubs and trees, it might be advisable to take another look at this. Even the hardiest of plants, trees and shrubs can find it challenging during winter, and a bit of added protection in times of intense cold will unquestionably be a benefit.
High winds and storms can cause the biggest problems where trees are concerned, and despite the fact that come winter most of your trees will have already shed their leaves, they could still be at risk in extreme conditions. If you've got a tree in your garden that looks like it may be weakened, or shows signs of crashing to the ground, you will want to have it examined by a local tree surgeon, who can offer guidance and advice. Trees and tree branches can also suffer problems due to heavy snow, so keep an eye out for trouble in this kind of weather. Protection from frost and ice might be required for some shrubs and trees (in particular ones that have been newly planted), and a substantial covering of mulch spread around their bases will help to stop their roots from freezing, and allow them to absorb much needed moisture.
A Tree Surgeons's Everyday Duties
- Climb trees to prune or remove branches.
- Prepare telephone or on-site quotations for clients.
- Evaluate the health of trees and create plan of action.
- Prepare tree survey reports for domestic and commercial clients.
- Fell and remove trees and perform stump grinding.
- Tree planting and transplanting.
- Work with customers and complete admin tasks.
- Be proficient with power tools and equipment.
- Service equipment like chainsaws and wood chippers.
- Chip and cut logs and branches.
- Tidy work area on completion and remove waste from customer's site.
- Establish hazards presented by trees.
Tree Surgery Tasks Harwich
Harwich tree surgeons can usually help you with drop crotching in Harwich, dead wooding, eco plug treatments, cut sealing, conrolling pests, tree felling Harwich, tree transplanting in Harwich, waste removal, tree dismantling, tree planting, arboriculture, tree surveys, damaged tree cutting and removal, brush cutting services, air spading, root grinding, fruit tree pruning, crown cleaning, damage restoration, tree waste removal, safety inspections Harwich, tree watering, tree removal, vegetation management Harwich, repair of storm damaged trees Harwich, residential tree surgery Harwich, woodland clearance, retrenchment pruning in Harwich, hedge lowering, tree lopping in Harwich and other tree surgeon services in Harwich, Essex. These are just a small portion of the duties that are performed by a tree surgeon. Harwich professionals will be delighted to keep you abreast of their full range of services.
Tree Surgeons Nearby
Also find: Dovercourt tree surgeon, Bradfield tree surgeon, Kirby le Soken tree surgeon, Weeley tree surgeon, Beaumont tree surgeon, Lawford tree surgeon, Frating tree surgeon, Little Bromley tree surgeon, Thorpe-le-Soken tree surgeon, Wrabness tree surgeon and more. The majority of these towns and areas are served by tree surgeons. Property owners in the region can get tree surgery price quotes by going here.
Tree Care Services Harwich
- Harwich Crown Reduction
- Harwich Root Decompaction
- Harwich Air-Spading
- Harwich Root Removal
- Harwich Tree Watering
- Harwich Hedge Reduction
- Harwich Tree Replanting
- Harwich Tree Lopping
- Harwich Cable Bracing
- Harwich Crown Lifting
- Harwich Tree Reduction
- Harwich Crown Removal
- Harwich Stump Treatment
- Harwich Tree Surveys
To obtain local information relating to Harwich, Essex look here
Tree Surgery CO12 area, 01255.
Tree Management Harwich - Tree Felling Harwich - Tree Surgeon Harwich - 01255 - Woodland Management Harwich - Tree Care Harwich - Tree Reshaping Harwich - Vegetation Control Harwich Essex - Tree Surgery Harwich