Tree Surgeon Kidlington

There is a huge risk of damage to the trees, to property and to life, for people in Kidlington who try to do tree work themselves, or by using a non-qualified operative. However, even for trained tree surgeons who are acquainted with all the hazards, tree work is not entirely safe. The reality is that tree surgery is one of the most dangerous jobs in the United Kingdom, with an average of three deaths and 140 serious injuries per year within the profession, hence it is definitely not safe work for amateurs.

There's also a threat to life from damaged or poorly maintained trees in Kidlington, since around 5 people a year are fatally wounded in Britain by falling branches and trees. You could be liable to third-party compensation claims due to the consequences of your actions, if you employ someone to carry out tree work and there is an injury, or damage to property. The above are just a few of the reasons why it is essential to hire an experienced tree surgeon to do the work on your trees in Kidlington. (Source - HSE).

A skilled tree surgeon in Kidlington ought to be a signed up member of at least one of the 2 industry bodies found in the UK. You can view the professional standing and membership of any tree surgeon in Kidlington on the websites of either the International Society of Arboriculture or the Arboricultural Association. On this website you can check for membership of either of these bodies, which gives the tree surgeon in question, ARB Approved Contractor status.

You are able to contact these trade bodies for mediation assistance and for advice and help at any stage, if a problem develops during or after any work has been concluded.

If somebody offers to provide you with a quote for any tree work and they aren't on this directory, you should tactfully decline their offer of work and continue your search for an approved contractor. You should try to get a minimum of 3 different quotes from various companies in and around Kidlington once you've reassured yourself of their professional memberships and qualifications. Because of the risks of the work involved, you should ask the questions below, making it clear that you need the answers:

• Do you have documents to show that you've got the recommended 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 using a chainsaw must have NPTC/LANTRA certification. A skilled tree surgeon in Kidlington might hold City & Guilds Certificates and National Diplomas in Arboriculture.
• Can you give me a written quotation? Verbal quotes alone are not acceptable. Always try to get a quote in writing.
• Can I contact some past customers to assess the standard of your tree work? Independently checking any recent work is always recommended.
• Exactly what is your level of insurance cover? Do not consider a tree surgeon in Kidlington with less than £5 Million public liability insurance as stated by the AA and ISA.

The written quotation should include clear and accurate details of the tree work to be undertaken. It should state who is responsible for the removal of debris, tree branches and stumps, and should also include details about any trees which might be protected in law, and the steps necessary to obtain permission to carry out work on them. Verify that they have also included VAT on the quotation. Realising that you've got a responsibility for hiring only competent tradespeople to work on your property and trees, is very important. This is laid out by the "Common law duty of care responsibilities and sometimes liabilities under the Occupier's Liability Acts of 1957 and 1984."

PRIOR TO WORK BEGINNING - Your preferred Kidlington tree surgeon will need to make enquiries into the possibility of any trees being protected in your area and make the necessary steps to make sure that any work can get the go-ahead from the local authority. Discovering that a tree has got protected status doesn't signify that work cannot be carried out, as even protected trees need to be maintained so as to cut back dead or dying wood and ensure the safety of the public.

If your property in Kidlington happens to be within a designated conservation area, the Local Planning Authority will require a minimum of 6 weeks written notice of any proposed tree work. However, tree trunks of under 7.5cm in diameter when measured at 1.5m from the ground are free from this requirement. Notice is also not required if thinning or pruning of a protected tree's branches is necessary in order to promote and sustain growth.

After assessing the health of your trees, your Kidlington tree surgeon will determine the necessary treatments and how the required outcome can best be achieved. This will involve a full risk assessment of areas that might be affected by falling debris, such as in public spaces, on your property, and on neighbour's properties. This stage will also ascertain the level of protection needed and the amount of operatives required. This is both PPE together with other safety precautions to keep property and the general public safe from damage or harm.

ON THE DAY OF WORK - Safety measures and barriers will be put in place before any climbing, tree felling or cutting of branches is started, to keep unauthorised persons away from the area of work. Traffic might need to be halted temporarily if there is any risk of falling debris into a public road.

Different kinds of work will demand that the tree surgeon has varying levels of protection. When doing chainsaw work, they will at a bare minimum be wearing protective clothing to avoid injuring the torso, legs and hands. All operatives involved in the work should be wearing head and eye protection, and hi-vis clothing, at all times.

If working at height is involved, ladders and associated climbing equipment will need to be used, and extra operatives will be there to help in the safe removal of high branches and heavy sections of tree trunk. For the removal of waste materials, unhindered access to the site will be necessary. Therefore, it is advisable to inform your neighbours, since a skip or pick up truck will need to be parked as close to the work area as possible while work proceeds.

AFTER COMPLETION OF WORK - All of the waste will be hauled away and the area cleared of all debris, when all of the tree work has been completed. Your tree surgeon should then sign off and present you with a certificate of work, especially where the trees are under a protection order. Any safety measures that were put in public areas can then be taken down, with highways and paths being re-opened to the public.

If you've got any problems or issues with the completed work, you should first address them with the tree surgeon in order that they can be rectified straight away. If there's any further dispute or arbitration required, and your tree surgeon is a registered member of a professional body, you can get advice and guidance from the International Society of Arboriculture or the Arboricultural Association in order to reach an acceptable solution.

Local Kidlington tree surgeons will likely have the postcode OX5 and the dialling code 01865. They'll work in Kidlington itself, along with nearby areas like Enslow, Bladon, Gosford, Yarnton, Thrupp, Woodstock, Wolvercote, Oxford, Bletchingdon, Shipton on Cherwell, Hampton Poyle, Cassington, Charlton on Otmoor, Weston on the Green, Begbroke, and these postcodes: OX5 1ZU, OX5 1WE, OX20 1QD, OX5 1GE, OX5 1DS, OX5 1BN, OX5 1EB, OX5 1SU, OX5 1EW, OX5 1TW.

If you need this sort of service it is certainly advisable to employ a certified local tree surgeon. Kidlington residents can benefit from the expertise offered by a trained professional.

Tree Stump Removal Kidlington

If you're in a situation where you have to have a big tree felled and removed from your property in Kidlington, you are perhaps going to be stuck with a tree stump, which will also have to be sorted out. In certain situations it might be possible for you to simply leave the stump in position until it decays by itself. However, stumps in your garden can produce suckers in an attempt to regrow, and sizeable tree stumps can take many years to rot away, during which time they can be an eyesore, a dangerous trip hazard and the ideal home for unwanted pests, fungi and bacteria.

If you opt to get rid of the stump entirely, there are several ways to accomplish this, however they basically fall under 2 primary choices stump grinding or stump removal. In the following paragraphs we'll be considering the removal option as opposed to grinding.

In regards to removing a tree stump, the 3 primary methods are digging out by hand, chemical treatment or burning. If your intention is to carry out the tree stump removal yourself, any one of these techniques could be an option. If you're hiring a tree surgeon in Kidlington, they'll generally suggest the previously mentioned stump grinding solution.

Digging Out by Hand: Digging up a tree stump by hand will require an assortment of tools such as a chainsaw, loppers, a pointed spade and a handsaw. It entails digging down to expose the roots, chopping the roots with loppers or a saw, and ultimately freeing up the stump, to make it easier to get out. The use of a winch might be necessary for the final lifting and removal of the tree stump. This is laborious and tiring work.

Stump Burning Techniques: Take care if you choose this approach to stump removal, since burning can be quite dangerous and may contravene local legislation. A number of 1" holes will need to be drilled in the stump, and over a period of several days continually topped up with vegetable oil. The stump is then stacked up with charcoal or logs and set alight. But, this must be supervised constantly and never left to its own devices. As soon as the burning process has finished, you must ensure that the fire is fully extinguished, and when it is completely cool you can dig out and clear away the burnt remains of roots and stump.

You will find there are various other burning methods, such as digging out beneath and lighting a fire in the excavated root bowl. Never set light to a stump if it is near other trees, buildings or fences.

Chemical Stump Killers: For chemically removing a stump you'll need to acquire Vitax SBK Stump Killer, Resolva Xtra Tough Tree Stump Killer or Roundup Tree Stump Remover. Always wear gloves and avoid contact with the skin when utilising any of these chemicals, and also avoid inhaling. You must stick to the maker's instructions, for applications, rates and timings. This isn't a short term solution, and it can take a few weeks for the tree stump to rot entirely, after which an axe and spade can be used to remove it.

A Tree Surgeons's Daily Tasks

• Create on-site or telephone quotes for customers.
• Deal with clients and complete admin duties.
• Tidy work area upon completion and remove waste from client's site.
• Maintain and service equipment like chippers and chainsaws.
• Plant trees and vegetation.
• Assess tree health and treatments.
• Be proficient with power tools and powered equipment.
• Climb trees to prune or remove branches as required.
• Establish hazards presented by trees.
• Chip and cut branches and logs.
• Fell and remove trees and grind stumps.
• Produce tree survey reports for commercial and domestic customers.

Accidents Through Tree Surgery

The work undertaken by tree surgeons in Kidlington can be fairly hazardous. When work is being undertaken on trees, there is a clear risk of injury to both operatives and those on the ground, so all possible precautions should be taken.

It would appear (as stated by the HSE (Health & Safety Executive)), that falls from trees, the use of chainsaws, and being struck by a falling branch or tree are the cause of a large majority of major and fatal injuries that are related to tree work. Surprisingly, those working in tree care have a greater likelihood of injuring themselves seriously than those in the construction sector.

The most accident claims, in terms of insurance, are for lifting injuries, falling from ladders and being struck by objects (branches, ropes, grapple hooks, cranes, trees etc).

This will all help you appreciate why it is so important to choose a professional tree surgeon in Kidlington. Unskilled workers trying to tackle tasks that they are not fully trained in, accounts for the majority of accidents in the tree care sector. Therefore, try to always use a trustworthy and experienced Kidlington company that has been working in the local area for a number of years, to sidestep this issue.

Protecting Trees in the Wintertime

Even though you may not think that the weather conditions in the British Isles are harsh enough to warrant protecting your trees and shrubs, it might be wise to take a second look at this. In actual fact, even shrubs, plants and trees that we usually think of as hardy, will benefit from some additional protection during the colder winter season.

When you have trees in your garden in Kidlington, it's storms and strong winds that are the biggest concern, and they could still be vulnerable even though the majority of them will have already dropped their leaves come winter, thus being less wind resistant. If you've got a tree in your garden that appears to be weakened, or is in danger of toppling over, you will need to have it inspected by a tree surgeon, who can offer guidance and advice. Damaged trees can also result from heavy snow, therefore when this kind of weather is on the cards, be on the lookout for trouble. A good layer of mulch round the base of trees and shrubs (particularly recently planted ones), can help to keep the roots frost-free and prevent them from becoming dehydrated.

Ash Dieback

Most likely to decimate approximately 80 percent of the current UK ash trees, over the next few years, ash dieback is a fatal fungal disease of ash trees that was first reported in the British Isles in 2012. Following on from the Dutch Elm Disease tragedy, which killed Great Britain's elm trees, ash dieback is set to have an immense impact on our beloved countryside.

A lethal disease of the Fraxinus genus of trees, ash dieback has an especially devastating effect on the Fraxinus excelsior (common ash), British Fraxinus excelsior (common ash). Originally coming from Asia where the native Manchurian ash (Fraxinus mandshurica) and Chinese ash (Fraxinus chinensis) are less susceptible to it, the fungus which causes the disease is called Hymenoscyphus fraxineus (H. fraxineus), and it kills off the tree by obstructing its water transport (vascular) systems.

Readily spread by tiny spores which can be blown for miles on the wind, ash dieback has become established in most areas of Britain with up to 85% mortality rates.

Ash dieback is recognisable by the following symptoms:

• New epicormic growth appearing from buds that were dormant previously.
• Dark brown lesions (often diamond shaped) form where branches join the trunk, and the inner bark under the lesions looks brownish grey.
• Dying leaves and shoots are visible in summer.
• Leaves that wilt, turn black and fall early.
• Leaves developing dark patches during mid to late summer.

Even ash trees that are able to fight the infection, suffer continued attacks year after year and ultimately succumb and perish. As it is an airborne disease there is no obvious approach for stopping its spread, and no recognised cure for chalara ash dieback.

If you believe that you have identified a case of ash dieback on your property in Kidlington, or in the local area, you can report it to the "Tree Alert Service" provided by the Forestry Commission, although ash dieback is so widespread all over the United Kingdom that they're only really interested to know about cases found in areas not previously affected. You should however get in touch with a local tree surgeon, who'll offer advice on how best to proceed.

Trees affected - the genus Fraxinus.

Necessary Skills to be Tree Surgeons in Kidlington

• Have the ability to work well with your hands.
• Be capable of repairing, using and maintaining tools and equipment.
• Have a good understanding of public security and safety.
• Physical skills like movement and coordination.
• Have an organised and methodical approach to work.
• Have essential computer skills and know how to accomplish tasks on handheld devices.
• Excellent customer skills.
• Be professional and capable of completing tasks within a given period.
• Patience and the ability to remain calm and focused in stressful situations.
• The cabability to work successfully other folks.
• Be alert to the dangers and complexities involved with the various aspects of tree work.

Pollarding Kidlington

Pollarding is on the whole undertaken on grounds of safety, and is a procedure that's used for drastically cutting down a tree's proportions when it's got too large for its location. The encouragement of cultivated elements and the moulding of trees into certain forms or shapes can also be accomplished by the pollarding approach. It is frequently seen on trees that function as boundaries or hedgerows, and also trees which grow beside highways in Kidlington. Because pollarded trees have got such a naked and stark appearance, and will likely never return to their former shape, the technique is not generally popular with those who appreciate trees. The positive element of pollarding, is that trees which might otherwise need to be felled can be preserved. Pollarding is routinely used on broad-leafed tree species like oaks, planes, maples, limes, horse chestnuts, sycamores and beeches.

Safety Considerations

The health and safety issue is one of the major considerations when you're doing tree surgery, since if carried out incorrectly it can be a dangerous procedure. If the individuals doing the tree surgery are inexperienced or unqualified, there are numerous things that can easily lead to injury or disaster such as hardly any fall protection, in the form of platforms, harnesses and ropes, not using hearing or eyesight protection, falling branches and timber, not roping off the area to safeguard vehicles and passing pedestrians, failing to use cut resistant clothing (especially trousers and safety boots) and a lack of head protection. Vulnerable because of such incompetencies are the actual tree itself, passing pedestrians, nearby properties, the groundsman, the property owners, garden features and fences, parked and passing vehicles, the tree surgeon himself (up the tree), facilities on the street.

Tree Cable Bracing Kidlington

In particular circumstances where a tree is showing signs of damage, decay, or is a threat to nearby property or persons, a technique called cable bracing may be used to offer support to the tree. This method is often used on valuable or older trees in Kidlington, where the felling or removal of large unsafe portions needs to be avoided for aesthetic reasons.

A cable bracing set-up can be useful for supporting any weak tree limbs, V-shaped forks and defective joints that are causing problems. Executing various forms of bracing work, a competent tree care specialist will be prepared to use rods and cables to help mitigate structural stresses, and hopefully prolong the life of valuable trees in Kidlington.

The goal of cable bracing is to provide a non-invasive method of support that doesn't cause damage to the tree by having to drill and bolt the branches, and one that is is both flexible and shock-absorbing. Before any actual work can start, a risk risk assessment must be carried out to ensure the safety of the tree and encompassing areas. (Tags: Cable Bracing Trees Kidlington, Tree Cable Bracing Kidlington, Cable Bracing Kidlington, Cable Bracing Techniques Kidlington).

Woodland Clearance Kidlington

The clearance of woodlands in the Kidlington area should only be commenced after any regulatory measures and restrictions have been established and observed. To make certain all applicable permits are gathered, land covenants and restrictions are followed, and that all procedures for completing the clearance are environmentally sound, an established Kidlington tree surgeon should be employed to oversee and undertake the project.

A professional company will liaise with local and national woodland organisations and authorities to conduct an extensive survey of the site. If it is learned that protected plant or animal life is on the site that needs clearing, it may be possible to transfer such species, if approval is given by the relevant authorities.

It will be much more cost effective to bring in a professional Kidlington tree surgeon to carry out your clearance work, since the chipping, mulching and felling equipment that is necessary is very pricey. (Tags: Woodland Management Kidlington, Woodland Clearance Kidlington, Woodland Preservation Kidlington, Woodland Clearances Kidlington).

Eco-Plugging Stumps Kidlington

If you want to remove a large tree stump from your garden in Kidlington, the traditional technique used by most local tree surgeons is known as stump grinding, which involves the use of large specialist machines. However, nowadays there's a less costly alternative to this process in the form of "eco-plugging". Not only is this method cheaper, but it can also be employed where stump grinding accessibility issues exist, in hard-to-reach and awkward locations.

A highly effective treatment for eliminating tree stumps, eco-plugging doesn't affect the surrounding vegetation and trees. Eco-plugs destroy the entire root system of the tree stump and can be put to use throughout the year and in any weather conditions. Containing a form of crystalline glyphosate herbicide, eco-plugs are 95% to 100% effective, and is suitable for a wide range of tree species.

Hedge Trimming Kidlington

Although tree surgeons in Kidlington are primarily involved with the maintenance and care of trees and shrubs they are often brought in to cut back hedges. Using a local tree surgeon will be a big advantage when work is needed on conifer hedges (Leylandii for example), which can soon reach heights that are too tall for your average gardener to deal with, needing specialist equipment to manage successfully.

When hedges are neglected or poorly maintained, they can pretty quickly become overgrown and out of control. If you don't want to hedge to take over large sections of your garden in Kidlington, routine trimming makes sense, and this is essential not just for visual reasons, but also to make your hedge much stronger and healthier.

Tidy hedges help make your whole garden look neater, and could even add to the value of your home in Kidlington, if at some stage you have plans to sell it.

Tree Surgery Tasks Kidlington

Kidlington tree surgeons will likely help you with tree pollarding, residential tree care Kidlington, staking, hedge laying in Kidlington, drop crotching, crown lifting, tree maintenance Kidlington, woodland management, retrenchment pruning, root removal in Kidlington, landscaping, root flare exposure, crown removal, tree management Kidlington, repair of storm damaged trees, tree care in Kidlington, tree removal in Kidlington, tree cabling Kidlington, commercial tree surgery in Kidlington, emergency tree surgery, woodland clearances, tree lopping, vegetation management, tree watering in Kidlington, shielding trees from grazing in Kidlington, tree inspections Kidlington, tree bracing, tree planting, formative pruning, crown thinning Kidlington and other tree surgeon services in Kidlington, Oxfordshire. Listed are just an example of the activities that are carried out by a tree surgeon. Kidlington professionals will let you know their whole range of services.

Tree Surgeons Nearby

Also find: Shipton on Cherwell tree surgeon, Weston on the Green tree surgeon, Enslow tree surgeon, Hampton Poyle tree surgeon, Gosford tree surgeon, Cassington tree surgeon, Begbroke tree surgeon, Bladon tree surgeon, Charlton on Otmoor tree surgeon, Bletchingdon tree surgeon, Yarnton tree surgeon, Wolvercote tree surgeon, Thrupp tree surgeon and more. Almost all of these localities are served by tree surgeons. Homeowners in these areas can get tree surgery quotes by going here.

Tree Care Services Kidlington

Find a Tree Surgeon in Kidlington Here

• Kidlington Vegetation Management
• Kidlington Crown Lifting
• Kidlington Tree Dismantling
• Kidlington Crown Removal
• Kidlington Root Grinding
• Kidlington Tree Care
• Kidlington Tree Topping
• Kidlington Cable Bracing
• Kidlington Stump Grinding
• Kidlington Crown Cleaning
• Kidlington Tree Maintenance
• Kidlington Soil Terravention
• Kidlington Stump Removal
• Kidlington Crown Raising

More Kidlington Trades: Naturally, whenever you happen to be having tree surgery done in Kidlington, Oxfordshire, you will likely be in need of other garden related services, and together with a tree surgeon in Kidlington, Oxfordshire, you may also need artificial grass installers in Kidlington, grass cutting in Kidlington, garden design and planning in Kidlington, hard landscaping in Kidlington, SKIP HIRE in Kidlington, hedge shaping in Kidlington, garden pond builders in Kidlington, block pavers in Kidlington, fencers in Kidlington, garden clearances in Kidlington, weeding services in Kidlington, garden shed installers in Kidlington, soil irrigation in Kidlington, patio layers in Kidlington, decking fitters in Kidlington, garden waste removal in Kidlington, and other different Kidlington tradespeople.

For the latest local Kidlington information go here

Tree Surgery OX5 area, telephone code 01865.

Arboriculturalist Kidlington - Tree Management Kidlington - Tree Surgeons Kidlington - Tree Felling Kidlington - Vegetation Management Kidlington - Stump Removal Kidlington - Tree Care Kidlington - Root Removal Kidlington - Forest Management Kidlington