Irvine Tree Surgeon Scotland: Adding style, structure and substance to what can at times be a 2 dimensional landscape, trees are a crucial feature of properties and gardens in Irvine. But problems can occur when trees have been neglected or have been damaged by extreme weather events like flooding or storms. Prior to any work beginning, the safest option is to get the advice of a skilled tree surgeon in Irvine, when your trees are in need of attention.
There's a huge risk of damaging property, trees or even life, for those in Irvine who attempt to do tree work on their own, or by using unqualified individuals. However, tree work isn't altogether safe for qualified tree surgeons, who know about all of the risks involved with it. In fact tree surgery is among the most dangerous jobs in the United Kingdom, with an average of 3 deaths and 140 severe injuries annually within the industry, therefore it is certainly not safe work for amateurs to do.
With around five people each year being fatally wounded by falling trees or branches in the United Kingdom, even a damaged or poorly maintained tree can also be a threat to life. If you employ somebody to carry out tree work and an injury occurs, or property is damaged, you might be liable to third-party compensation claims. These are the reasons why it's very important to hire an accredited tree surgeon to work on your trees in Irvine. (Figures sourced from HSE UK).
There are two professional industry bodies that a qualified tree surgeon in Irvine should really be a member of. Both the Arboricultural Association and the International Society of Arboriculture offers a website where you can check up on the professional standing and membership of any tree surgeon. This page allows you to check out if any particular tree surgeon has ARB Approved Contractor status, and has membership of either of these bodies.
If there is an issue during the course of the work, or after it's been carried out you're able to get hold of these professional organisations for mediation and for help and guidance.
If a tree surgeon who isn't on this directory list offers to give you a quote, it is recommended that you continue your search for an approved and qualified contractor, and tactfully decline their offer. Once their professional qualifications and associations have been meticulously checked, you should try and get a minimum of three different estimates from various companies in the Irvine area. There are a number of vital questions that you should ask while you're in the process of obtaining these quotations, and because of the risks involved in tree work, you should tell them that you really need the answers. You should for instance ask:
- Can you give me a written quotation? You should NEVER settle for a verbal quote only. Only ever accept a quote in writing.
- Do you have documents to show that you have the recommended qualifications, membership of the ISA or AA, and also a certificate for basic chainsaw use from the NPTC? The NPTC/LANTRA is a required certificate in law for any tree surgeon using a chainsaw. City and Guilds Certificates and Diplomas in Arboriculture are qualifications that may be held by an experienced tree surgeon in Irvine.
- Could I contact some former clients so that I can check the standard of your work? Doing an independent examination of any recent work is always a good idea.
- What is your level of insurance cover? You should not entertain a tree surgeon in Irvine with any less than £5 Million public liability insurance as recommended by the ISA and AA.
On the written quotation that you receive, you will need there to be clear and concise information on all the work that's to be undertaken. It should include details about any trees which could be protected in law, and the required steps to get permission to work on them, and also state who is responsible for the removal of tree branches, stumps and waste. You should also make certain VAT is included on the quote. It is important to realise that you have a responsibility to hire only competent people to work on your property and trees. This is stated by the "Common law duty of care responsibilities and sometimes liabilities under the Occupier's Liability Acts of 1957 and 1984."
PRIOR TO WORK - Your chosen Irvine tree surgeon will need to make enquiries into the possibility of any trees being protected in your area and take the appropriate steps to make sure that any tree work can be given the go-ahead from the local authorities. Finding a tree has got protected status doesn't imply that work cannot be carried out, as even protected trees require maintenance so as to cut back dead or dying wood and ensure the safety of the public.
If your property in Irvine is situated within a conservation area, the Local Planning Authority (LPA) will need at least six weeks written notice of any proposed tree work. This is only applicable to trees with a stem diameter of more than 75 millimetres in diameter, at a point 1.5 metres from ground level. Written notice is also not a requirement if pruning or thinning of a protected tree's branches is needed in order to encourage and sustain growth.
On site they'll carry out a complete assessment of your tree's health and determine the remedial treatment required and how best to achieve the required outcome in a safe manner. This involves completing a full risk assessment to include your property, public spaces and any sections of neighbouring properties that could be affected by falling debris. At this stage, the level of protection required and the amount of workforce needed will also be ascertained. This is both personal protection equipment as well as other safety measures to keep property and the general public safe from damage or harm.
ON THE DAY OF WORK - Barriers, cones and safety measures will be put in place before any cutting of branches, climbing or tree felling begins, to keep unauthorised persons and passers-by away from the area of work. Passing traffic may need to be stopped temporarily if there's a threat of falling debris onto a public road.
The tree surgeon will need different levels of protection based on the kind of tree work being done. When carrying out basic tree work with a chainsaw, to prevent serious cutting injuries to the legs, torso and hands, they will at the very least be wearing protective clothing. Head and eye protection, and high visibility clothing, should be worn by all workers involved in the operation.
Climbing equipment and ladders will need to be deployed if any working at height is involved, and to help in the removal of high branches and large sections of tree trunk, additional personnel will be essential. It's advisable to inform your neighbours of the need for easy access, since a vehicle or skip for removing the waste will be parked as close to the work area as possible.
AFTER COMPLETION OF WORK - The site can be cleared of all debris, and all the waste and branches can be taken away, when all tree work has been completed. A certificate of work done should then be created by your tree surgeon, particularly where the trees are covered by TPOs, which will be signed off and a copy given to you. Any safety measures that were put in public spaces can then be removed, with highways and footpaths being re-opened to the public.
Problems or issues should be rectified straight away by approaching your tree surgeon directly. If your tree surgeon is a registered member of a trade body, and there's any further dispute, you can receive help and guidance from the Arboricultural Association or the International Society of Arboriculture in order to come to an acceptable conclusion.
Locally based Irvine tree surgeons will most likely have the telephone dialling code 01294 and the postcode KA11. They will operate in Irvine itself, in addition to nearby areas like Ardrossan, Kilmaurs, Stevenston, Drybridge, Girdle Toll, Lawthorn, Kilmarnock, Dreghorn, Dundonald, West Kilbride, Saltcoats, Dalry, Knockentiber, Crosshouse, Bourtreehill South, Kilwinning, and these postcodes: KA11 5AJ, KA11 4DL, KA11 4DF, KA11 4JT, KA11 4JU, KA12 0BN, KA11 5AW, KA11 1HJ, KA12 0EJ, KA11 1DF.
If you require this sort of service it is certainly wise to use a trusted tree surgeon. Irvine property owners can benefit from the skill sets that are the trademark of a seasoned professional.
Problematic Tree Roots Irvine
Because certain trees have particularly aggressive roots, if they're growing too close to your home in Irvine, they can cause various issues, possibly serious. Among the most common problems are: damaged foundations, lifting patios and blocked drains. Species like willows, elms, maples and sycamores, are trees that have extremely intrusive root systems.
Problems can be avoided down the line, if you ensure you plant new trees as far as possible away from patio areas, paths, your sewerage system and your house. You should speak to a tree surgeon in Irvine, to see what can be done, if established trees are growing too near to your house and are causing some of these issues.
This is not really the type of job that you should attempt to do yourself, and just cutting through the problematic roots could kill off the tree or significantly threaten it's overall health. So that the damage is reduced, and the tree is still able to get enough food and water to survive and thrive, a qualified tree care specialist in Irvine will know which roots should be left in place, and which roots can be safely cut.
Cracks in underground drainage systems are quite often caused by shrub and tree roots, because a consistent source of moisture and nutrients is present in such an environment. The joints of a drainage system can easily be invaded by small tree roots, which once established can develop into large root balls and eventually cause blockages and joint failure. Some Irvine tree surgeons will offer specialised root removal services, which will probably involve using manual rod clearance, high pressure jetting or electro-mechanical equipment. Root removal services are also available in Ardrossan, Kilmaurs, Stevenston, Drybridge, Girdle Toll, Lawthorn, Kilmarnock, Dreghorn, Dundonald, West Kilbride, Saltcoats, Dalry, Knockentiber, Crosshouse, Bourtreehill South, Kilwinning, and in Irvine, Scotland.
Air-Spading Irvine
There are a number of issues that can have an affect on the health of your trees, and the tree's root system is one place to look whenever you have cause for concern. Easy access to the roots of your tree will be necessary for a qualified Irvine tree surgeon to check for root rot, soil compaction and other potential issues.
Previously this was difficult to do, because of the potential for damaging the roots during the process of digging down. A system known as "air spading" is used by many up-to-date and "savvy" tree surgeons in Irvine, and this allows compacted soil to be broken up and stripped away by using compressed air, which avoids causing any harm or damage to the tree's root system or underground utilities.
When the soil surrounding a tree gets compacted by passing vehicles, heavy foot traffic or building work, the health of the tree can be badly affected. When a tree becomes "stressed" it's more susceptible to attacks by pests, disease and insects, and this stress can be caused by a lack of nutrients and water. Air spading is also good for resolving root flare problems, when the flare at the base of the stem becomes covered with an excess of soil, causing tissue breakdown, and increasing the chances of root decay.
Blowing air directly into the soil at speeds of up to twelve hundred miles per hour, the air-spading process necessitates the use of an air compressor and an air-spading tool which forces air into voids in the soil, causing it to break up rapidly, but not impacting the tree roots or utility lines. As the surrounding soil is directed away from the tree's roots by the powerful flow of air, immediate inspection is possible. Any problems can then be remedied and the previously compact soil exchanged for a less dense layer of wood chips and fertiliser to revive the tree.
The International Society of Arboriculture
Usually just referred to as the ISA, the International Society of Arboriculture has its headquarters in the United States, and is an international, non-profit organisation. Serving the tree care industry all around the globe, the ISA is a membership association that cultivates the professional practice of arboriculture, providing qualifications for tree care professionals.
The ISA has best tree care practices as its focus, helping individuals in the tree care industry improve their arboricultural expertise, knowledge and skills, by promoting educational events, publications and services.
In mid-2016 the United Kingdom's Arboricultural Association was accepted as an associate organisation of the International Society of Arboriculture after signing a partnership agreement with them. This strengthened the relationship between the two and offered more opportunities for ISA members in the UK and Ireland. UK members of the Arboricultural Association are now able to enjoy the benefits of being part of a worldwide network of tree care professionals. The ISA now has over twenty two thousand members worldwide with associate organisations and professional affiliates in EXTRAdrop crotching, tree felling, stump treatment, emergency tree removal, woodland clearances in Irvine, tree pollarding, tree dismantling, tree management, tree pruning, formative pruning in Irvine, tree cutting, tree bracing, root decompaction Irvine, tree removal, tree transplanting, the removal of dead wood in Irvine, crown cleaning in Irvine, safety inspections, cabling Irvine, eco plug treatments, hedge cutting Irvine, domestic tree care, landscaping, tree planning, waste removal, damage restoration, root removal, shrub maintenance, tree surveys, site clearanceTEN, and the United Kingdom.
Control of Vegetation
It's not merely the maintenance and removal of trees that your local Irvine tree surgeon will be able to help you with, but also any kind of proliferating plant growth which is clogging up your garden. Professional tree surgeons will usually be quite happy to take out overgrown vegetation, weeds, bushes and shrubs which might be thriving close to paths, buildings, driveways, walls or sheds, and being a hassle. If you're to maintain your precious garden correctly then this accumulating growth needs to be taken away frequently, and if you have the time and inclination this is a task that you can do yourself if you are fit and able, or you can ask a local tree surgeon to call in every six months or so to keep it in shape. The management of vegetation is essential if you are going to keep safe and easy access to every section of the garden and if this isn't done the vegetation can soon take over and take away the enjoyment of your garden. Aside from anything else your garden will also look a picture when properly maintained.
Pollarding Irvine
Where a tree has appreciably got too large for its current environment, it can be substantially reduced in size by using a technique referred to as "pollarding". It can at times be employed for visual or practical motives to change a tree into a specific shape. Trees which grow beside roadways in Irvine are often pollarded, as are those that are used for boundaries and in hedgerows. For people who appreciate trees it isn't a particularly popular procedure, seeing that the outcome is inclined to be somewhat naked and harsh, with the overall appearance of being almost dead. Tree species such as limes, maples, sycamores, oaks, beeches, planes and horse chestnuts are typical contenders for the pollarding process, and on the positive aspect trees which would normally need to be removed can be conserved for future generations.
Tree Surveys Irvine
There are various reasons why you might require a tree survey, and the most commonplace is for property extension or development. As required by British Standards BS5837 (2012), if you are clearing a piece of land to make space for an extension to an existing property or a brand new house in Irvine, and there are trees growing on that land, you might need to perform a tree survey. Irvine tree surveys on both public and private property, must be carried out by a certified tree surgeon or arboricultural surveyor.
A good deal of information about all of the trees within a specified area will be produced by a correctly conducted tree survey. For instance:
- The allocation of a unique reference number for each of the trees.
- The spread of the branches towards the West, South, East and North.
- The number of trees.
- The structural and physiological health of the trees.
- The height of each tree in metres.
- The species of trees (either scientific or common).
- The age of the trees.
- The diameter of each tree (taken 1.5m above ground level).
- Tree management guidelines.
- The existence of any TPOs (Tree Preservation Orders).
- The predicted life expectancy of the trees.
A tree survey will most likely not be required if you're not extending the footprint of the building and are not changing the access points or service lines of an existing property or home in Irvine.
Eco-Plugging Irvine
Stump grinding is the customary technique employed by most tree surgeons in Irvine for removing large tree stumps. There is however a more affordable alternative to this procedure nowadays, which is known as "eco-plugging", and is growing ever more popular. This method is not just attractive because it's cheaper, but also because it can be used in hard-to-reach locations where there could be stump grinding accessibility issues.
Eco-plugging is an effective treatment for eliminating tree stumps and has no effect on any nearby trees and vegetation. Eco-plugs eliminate the tree stump by killing off the whole root system, and can be used in any weather, and throughout the year. Containing a type of granular glyphosate herbicide, eco-plugs are 95-100 percent effective, and is suitable for a variety of tree species.
Chainsaws
When it comes to the tools that are utilised by tree surgeons in Irvine, the most commonly seen is the chainsaw. Due to their ease of use and greater portability, petrol chainsaws are the most preferred by tree care professionals, although mains and battery models can be purchased. For heavy tree work, the only sensible option is to use petrol chainsaws, as they're able to slice through branches and tree limbs of any proportions, and are exceptionally powerful and robust.
A chainsaw comprises an engine and a revolving chain with a row of razor-sharp teeth which cut through the bark and wood of a tree. For the varied procedures that are required, there are different designs of chainsaw, rear-handled for work at ground level (must be used with two hands), pole saws for hard to reach branches and long distance pruning and top-handled for working at height (and which can be operated with one hand).
While climbing a tree with a rapidly twirling blade in your hand is a somewhat dangerous form of activity, you will rarely see a professional Irvine tree surgeon who does not use a chainsaw. One of the primary requirements for becoming a registered member of the AA (Arboricultural Association), is that professional tree surgeons must be trained in the safe use of chainsaws.
Although there are various different chainsaw brands and models available to professionals, the most popular ones used the United Kingdom are Makita, Stihl, Husqvarna and Hyundai.
Deadwooding Irvine
All professional tree surgeons in Irvine will carry out the process known as dead-wooding (or deadwooding), which is a necessary part of tree care. Dead-wooding involves the careful removal of dead and dying branches which may pose a danger to vehicles, buildings or passers-by. Tree branches can die off for a number of reasons, with attack by pests, diseases, light deficiency or damage to the root system, acknowledged as the most common.
Although the objective of safety is the usual reason for removing dead branches, the task can also be conducted for aesthetic reasons and for the overall benefit of the tree. A tree that has an excessive amount of dying, dead and damaged branches is vulnerable to infestation by insects and disease, so you can radically improve the health of a tree by removing these offending branches. Dead wood also makes a tree look unattractive, and by removing all of this, you can make it look more appealing.
In most instances only larger dead branches will be taken out, because smaller ones pose minimal risk. On the other hand, any dead branches that are over 50 millimetres in diameter may have to be removed in locations where a tree overhangs a park, a road, a public area, a garden or a house in Irvine.
Hedge Trimming Irvine
While the vast majority of work carried out by Irvine tree surgeons involves the care and maintenance of trees, the cutting back and trimming of hedges is another task that they regularly perform. Using a tree surgeon can be a huge benefit when work needs to be done on conifer hedges such as Leylandii, which can soon grow too tall for your average gardener to cope with, requiring specialist equipment to manage successfully.
When a hedge is uncared for or poorly maintained, it can get out of control and overgrown very quickly. Routine clipping is recommended if you don't want a hedge to take over large areas of your garden in Irvine, and as well as making the hedge stronger it also looks better aesthetically.
You can help to make your entire garden look tidier by neatly clipping your hedges. And if you are considering selling your property sometime soon, neat hedges could even add some value. You can also obtain hedge cutting services in Ardrossan, Kilmaurs, Stevenston, Drybridge, Girdle Toll, Lawthorn, Kilmarnock, Dreghorn, Dundonald, West Kilbride, Saltcoats, Dalry, Knockentiber, Crosshouse, Bourtreehill South, Kilwinning, and Irvine itself. (Tags: Hedge Cutting Irvine, Hedge Clipping Irvine, Hedge Shaping Irvine, Hedge Trimming Irvine).
Tree Surgery Injuries
As we've already pointed out, tree care professionals in Irvine undertake work that can be fairly dangerous. All possible precautions should be implemented when working on trees, because most tree work involves a high risk of injury to both operatives and passers-by.
As reported by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), the vast majority of serious and fatal injuries are related to the use of chainsaws, falls from trees, and being struck by a falling tree or branch. Surprisingly, the risk of serious injury is higher in tree care work than it is for those in construction.
When it comes to insurance claims the most commonplace tree work accidents involve being struck by objects (ropes, cranes, branches, trees, grapple hooks etc), slipping from ladders and lifting injuries.
All this adds to the importance of hiring a competent Irvine tree surgeon to work on your trees. A lot of accidents in the tree care industry are down to inexperienced workers trying to tackle tasks that they're not properly trained in. Therefore, always use a trustworthy and experienced company that's been trading in the Irvine area for several years, to sidestep this type of issue.
Skills and Knowledge Needed to be a Tree Surgeon in Irvine
- Be mindful of the complexities and dangers involved with the various areas of tree work.
- Be professional and capable of completing tasks within a set timeframe.
- Have patience and the ability to remain focused in stressful circumstances.
- Have the ability to work well with other people.
- To be meticulous and pay attention to detail.
- Have the ability to work well with your hands.
- Have a good understanding of public security and safety.
- Have essential computer skills and know how to carry out tasks with handheld devices.
- Have the ability to maintain, use and repair tools and equipment.
- Decent customer skills.
- Physical skills such as movement and coordination.
Emergency Tree Services Irvine
Although emergencies are infrequent in relation to trees in your garden, accidents are always possible, so it may be wise to have an emergency phone number for a tree surgeon in Irvine. When the weather conditions are windy and stormy in Irvine, local tree surgeons generally expect to see a huge increase in emergency call outs, and thankfully most of them offer a 24/7 service for this very reason. The likelihood of injury or damage is higher when the weather is windy, with branches breaking off and plunging to the ground, and sometimes even whole trees collapsing. Prevention is certainly preferable to having to contend with the aftermath, and typical problems that can result from plummeting branches and tree limbs include squashed sheds, busted garden furniture, smashed greenhouses and damaged fences.
Emergency tree surgery services will also frequently be essential to the local authorities in Irvine, since substantial branches can break off and crash onto railway lines, highways and public pathways, calling for immediate attention.
Further issues could also develop after the emergency tree surgery has been successfully done, because when a tree has lost some limbs, it might be uneven or lopsided, with more weight on one side than the other - consequently "re-balancing" may be necessary. If you are experiencing any of these tree related issues, you shouldn't attempt to sort any of them out yourself, and you must immediately get in touch with a local Irvine tree surgeon who provides emergency tree care services, so that they can advise on the best course of action.
Tree Surgery Tasks Irvine
Irvine tree surgeons can normally help with drop crotching, tree felling, stump treatment, emergency tree removal, woodland clearances in Irvine, tree pollarding, tree dismantling, tree management, tree pruning, formative pruning in Irvine, tree cutting, tree bracing, root decompaction Irvine, tree removal, tree transplanting, the removal of dead wood in Irvine, crown cleaning in Irvine, safety inspections, cabling Irvine, eco plug treatments, hedge cutting Irvine, domestic tree care, landscaping, tree planning, waste removal, damage restoration, root removal, shrub maintenance, tree surveys, site clearance and other tree surgeon services in Irvine, Scotland. Listed are just an example of the duties that are handled by a local tree surgeon. Irvine companies will inform you of their entire range of services.
Tree Surgeons Nearby
Also find: Bourtreehill South tree surgeon, Lawthorn tree surgeon, Drybridge tree surgeon, Dundonald tree surgeon, Knockentiber tree surgeon, Dreghorn tree surgeon, West Kilbride tree surgeon, Girdle Toll tree surgeon, Saltcoats tree surgeon, Kilmaurs tree surgeon, Crosshouse tree surgeon and more. All these towns and villages are serviced by local tree surgeons. Home and property owners in these areas can acquire quotations for tree surgery by clicking here.
Tree Care Services Irvine
- Irvine Tree Felling
- Irvine Tree Dismantling
- Irvine Woodland Management
- Irvine Tree Transplanting
- Irvine Tree Pruning
- Irvine Root Removal
- Irvine Crown Raising
- Irvine Tree Inspections
- Irvine Hedge Reduction
- Irvine Root Grinding
- Irvine Tree Shaping
- Irvine Tree Management
- Irvine Dead Wooding
- Irvine Tree Topping
If you're interested in local Irvine information go here
Tree Surgeon Jobs Irvine: Find Irvine tree surgeon jobs here: Tree Surgeon Jobs Irvine
Tree Surgery KA11 area, (dialling code 01294).
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