Kirkcaldy Tree Surgeon Scotland: Trees in your garden and around your property in Kirkcaldy, add substance, structure and style to what can otherwise be a two dimensional landscape. But when neglected or affected by extreme weather events, for instance gales or flooding, trees can be a bit of an issue. Seeking the advice of a qualified tree surgeon in Kirkcaldy, is the safest option when work needs to be done on your trees.
Those who employ an unqualified operative, or attempt to do tree work by themselves, may cause a risk of damage to the trees, to property or to life. However, even for experienced tree surgeons who know about all the risks, tree work is not entirely safe. Within the profession there are a thought provoking average of a hundred and forty serious injuries and three deaths per year, making tree surgery among the most dangerous jobs in the United Kingdom.
With falling branches or trees causing around five deaths annually in Britain, a risk to life can even be caused by a neglected or damaged tree. You could be liable to third-party compensation claims as a consequence of your actions, if you bring in somebody to perform tree work and an injury, or damage to property occurs. This is why hiring a trained Kirkcaldy tree surgeon to work on your trees is essential. (All figures are from HSE).
FINDING A TREE SURGEON IN KIRKCALDY - There are two main professional trade bodies, at least one of which a decent tree surgeon in Kirkcaldy should be a member of. You can check up on the professional standing and membership of any tree surgeon on the websites of either the Arboricultural Association (AA) or the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). To find out if any particular tree surgeon has ARB Approved Contractor status and has membership of either of these two organisations, you can do a search on this website.
If there's an issue during or after any work has been accomplished you'll be able to communicate with these trade associations for assistance in arbitration and for help and advice at any stage.
If anybody who is not on this directory offers to provide you with a price quote, you should respectfully decline their offer of work and carry on your search for an accredited contractor. When their accreditations and professional associations have been diligently checked, you should try to get a minimum of three different quotations from various companies in Kirkcaldy. There are a number of important questions that you should ask whilst you are in the process of getting the quotes, and because of the risks of the work involved, you must tell them that you need to know the answers. You should for instance ask:
- Have you got a NPTC certificate for the use of a chainsaw, and documentary verification of your qualifications and professional memberships? Any tree surgeon who uses a chainsaw, must by law have a NPTC/LANTRA certificate. City and Guilds Certificates and Diplomas in Arboriculture are qualifications that may be held by a certified Kirkcaldy tree surgeon.
- Can I contact some past clients so that I can assess the standard of your tree work? It's always a good idea to carry out an independent check on recently accomplished work.
- Can you provide a written quotation? Always get a written quote, and NEVER accept a quote that is only given verbally.
- What insurance cover is provided? Your tree surgeon ought to be able to produce an insurance certificate covering no less than five million pounds public liability, as recommended by the ISA and AA.
The written quote that you're provided with must include clear and accurate details about the proposed work. It should mention who is responsible for the removal of debris, tree branches and stumps, and should also include details about any trees which may be protected, and the steps required to obtain permission to carry out work on them. You should also make sure VAT is included on the quote. It is vitally important to understand that you've got a responsibility to employ only competent tradespeople to work on your property and trees. This is laid out by the "Common law duty of care responsibilities under the Occupier's Liability Acts of 1957 and 1984."
PRIOR TO WORK - Checking whether any of your trees are covered by a tree protection order (TPO), your preferred Kirkcaldy tree surgeon should ensure that any work can get the go-ahead from the appropriate local authority. Finding that a tree has got protected status doesn't signify that work can't be carried out, since even protected trees require maintenance in order to cut back dead or damaged wood and ensure public safety.
A minimum of 6 weeks written notice must be given to the Local Planning Authority prior to any work being conducted, if your property in Kirkcaldy is in a designated conservation area. This is only required for trees with a stem diameter of more than 7.5 centimetres in diameter, at a point 1.5 metres above the ground. It is also not necessary to give written notice if a protected tree's branches need pruning or thinning simply to sustain and promote growth.
After completing a thorough assessment of your trees health, your Kirkcaldy tree surgeon will determine the remedial treatment required and how best and safely to achieve the required outcome. This involves carrying out a full risk assessment to include public spaces, your property and any sections of neighbouring properties that could be affected by falling branches and debris. The amount of workers required and the level of protection needed, will also be established at this stage. This is both PPE and other safety precautions to keep the public and other property safe from damage or harm.
ON THE DAY OF WORK - Barriers and safety measures should be put in place before any cutting of branches, tree felling or climbing commences, to keep unauthorised persons and passers-by away from the area of work. Passing traffic might need to be temporarily stopped if there's any danger of debris falling onto a public road.
Depending on the kind of work required a tree surgeon will need different levels of protection. At the very least they will be wearing specialist protective clothing to prevent cutting injuries to the torso, legs and hands, when working with a chainsaw. Head and eye protection, and hi-vis clothing, should be worn by all operatives involved in the work.
Additional workers will generally be necessary to help in the removal of high branches and sections of tree trunk, particularly if any working at height is involved, and where ladders and associated climbing equipment is being deployed. For the removal of waste, easy access to the site will be needed. Therefore, it's recommended that you inform your neighbours, as a skip or other transportation vehicle will need to be parked as close to the work area as possible whilst the work proceeds.
UPON COMPLETION OF WORK - As soon as the work has been completed all the waste and branches can be taken away and the site cleared of all debris. Your tree surgeon should then sign off and present you with a certificate of work done, especially when the trees are protected. If any public areas needed safety measures, this protection can be taken away and roads and paths will be re-opened to the public.
Problems or issues should be rectified straight away by approaching your tree surgeon directly. If your tree surgeon is an approved member of a professional trade body, you can receive help and guidance from the Arboricultural Association or the International Society of Arboriculture so as to arrive at a satisfactory conclusion, if any further arbitration is required.
Local Kirkcaldy tree surgeons are likely to have the postcode KY1 and the telephone dialling code 01592. They will operate in Kirkcaldy itself, along with nearby areas such as Dysart, Buckhaven, Markinch, Windygates, Auchtertool, Coaltown of Balgonie, Kinglassie, Methil, Aberdour, West Wemyss, Lochore, Lochgelly, Cardenden, Burntisland, Thornton, Kinghorn, Cowdenbeath, and these postcodes: KY1 1HR, KY1 1JU, KY1 1BL, KY1 1GL, KY1 1LD, KY1 1HY, KY1 1JW, KY1 1DP, KY1 1RX, KY1 1DU.
For this kind of service it is definitely best to use an experienced tree surgeon. Kirkcaldy home and business owners can benefit from the expertise and know-how that are the trademark of a seasoned professional.
Woodland Clearance Kirkcaldy
Clearing land by woodland clearance in the Kirkcaldy area can be affected by national and local restrictions and regulations in force, depending on where your land is, and what bio-diversity is located in the place which is going to be cleared. A certified tree surgeon contractor in Kirkcaldy can offer a full end to end service that will follow all covenants and laws on the land, and also clear the area in an eco-friendly and ethical way.
An in depth habitat survey will be carried out by a tree surgeon who will also collaborate with woodland authorities and organisations to make sure that your clearance is done legally and safely. If it is discovered that protected animal or plant life is in the area that needs clearing, it may be possible to relocate such species, if approved by the appropriate authorities.
The specialist felling, mulching and chipping equipment that's employed in woodland clearances means it is usually far more cost effective to hire a qualified tree surgeon to carry out your project. (Tags: Woodland Clearances Kirkcaldy, Woodland Clearance Kirkcaldy, Woodland Management Kirkcaldy, Woodland Preservation Kirkcaldy).
Removing Tree Stumps Kirkcaldy
When you've had a tree felled from your garden in Kirkcaldy, unless agreed with the tree surgeon, you will likely be left with a stump to contend with. You may consider leaving it to break down and rot away entirely naturally, and be quite happy to leave it to its own devices. However, tree stumps in your garden can attract unwanted pests, be a trip hazard, and can even send out new suckers in an effort to regrow themselves.
There are a number of ways by which a tree stump can be removed, if you determine that this is the preferred course of action, though the 2 key options are stump removal or stump grinding. In the following few lines, we'll be focusing on the various methods of removal.
There are basically 3 main techniques that can be used to get rid of a tree stump - you can use a chemical stump killer, you can dig it out by hand or you can burn it. If your intention is to conduct the stump removal yourself, any of these methods could be an option. If a tree surgeon is going to be undertaking the work, stump grinding is usually their technique of choice, although eco-plugging or some other chemical treatment might be considered.
Burning Tree Stumps: Because it can be quite dangerous and could conflict with local legislation, burning a tree stump is not really a recommended course of action, so if you choose this approach, be careful. A few one inch holes will have to be drilled into the tree stump, and for a few days continually topped up with vegetable oil. Charcoal or logs should then be stacked around the stump and lit. This should not then be left to its own devices, but be continually monitored. When the fire has finally ceased burning, you need to ensure that it is extinguished and cool, after which you will be able to manually dig out the stump ashes and roots.
Other solutions include digging out and clearing away all the soil from below the stump, and building a fire in the hollowed-out space that's been established. Of course, there are various scenarios where burning is not suitable, for instance when there are fences, buildings or other trees near to the stump being removed.
Chemical Stump Removal: A powerful chemical substance like Vitax SBK Stump Killer, Resolva Xtra Tough Tree Stump Killer or Roundup Tree Stump Remover, will be required if you decide to go with the chemical treatment option. When utilising these you should always follow the directions to the letter, as such chemicals can be extremely hazardous. The stump will take a few weeks to break down and can then be chopped up and removed with an axe and a spade.
Digging Out by Hand: Digging up a tree stump by hand is a rather straightforward process, and involves shoveling out out all the earth all around the stump, exposing and sawing all the major roots, and ultimately freeing the stump so that it can be lifted out. The use of a winch might be necessary for the final removal of the tree stump. This sort of work isn't suited to the unfit or faint-hearted, as it is tedious and exhausting.
(Tags: Removal of Tree Stumps Kirkcaldy, Tree Stump Removal Kirkcaldy, Chemical Stump Killers Kirkcaldy, Removing Tree Stumps Kirkcaldy).Tree Preservation Orders Kirkcaldy
Before carrying out any major work on your trees in Kirkcaldy, you should make sure that none of them have TPO's (Tree Preservation Orders) You need to talk to your local authority to ensure that none of the trees within the boundaries of your property are covered by TPOs. If one of your trees have TPOs, you're prohibited from performing lopping, topping, wilful destruction, removal, wilful damage, cutting down or uprooting, without consent in writing from the local authority. Your tree surgeon should be able to advise you on this and help with any checks.
If you happen to reside in a conservation area in Kirkcaldy, you should always consult with your council concerning any tree surgery work that you want to carry out, and if the tree concerned has a trunk diameter of over 75mm (when measured 1.5m from ground level), you have to give your local council a minimum of six weeks notice in writing.
Wood Chipping Kirkcaldy
To break down the tree limbs, branches and vegetation that tree surgery creates, the majority of competent Kirkcaldy tree surgeons will make use of wood chipping devices on a regular basis. These powerful wood chipping systems can munch up as much as forty tonnes of material per hour, depending on the equipment being used, although the most commonly used models will process nearer to 5 tons every hour.
In addition to providing a handy material that can be put to a number of uses including; wood pulp, cultivating mushrooms, weed prevention, biomass fuel, garden pathways, ecosystem restoration, mulch for gardens and landscaping, chipping down the tree limbs in this way makes them far easier to transport.
If you've a use for the wood chips that have been generated during your tree surgery assignment, most tree surgeons in Kirkcaldy will be very happy to let you have whatever you want, and they'll cart away the remainder to use in other locations, or dispose of ethically. Tree surgeons are a great source for wood chippings which you can use for various purposes throughout your garden, even if you do not require any tree surgery doing on your property in Kirkcaldy. Wood chips are often available from tree surgeons free, although if you need them to be delivered there may be a fee.
Companies like T-Mech, Timberwolf, Forest Master and Crytec, make some of the best know wood chipping machines that are used in the UK. (Tags: Wood Chipping Kirkcaldy, Wood Chipping Machines Kirkcaldy, Wood Chips Kirkcaldy, Wood Chipping Services Kirkcaldy).
Firewood/Logs Kirkcaldy
Tree surgeons can be an excellent source for logs and firewood in Kirkcaldy, if you are searching for this useful commodity. As felling trees and lopping off branches is part of their daily routine, this is a natural offshoot for the enterprising tree surgeon.
Recently cut down branches and logs are frequently offered "free to collector" from certain Kirkcaldy tree surgeons, who are simply glad to get shot of them. Other local tree surgeons, who've got the space to store them, will season and dry the logs and sell them by the bag, tonne or lorry load, and will sometimes deliver them for you.
Logs having a moisture level of under twenty percent are perfect for burning on your log burner or open fire, and these will have been left to dry out for 12 months or more. Normally tree surgeons in Kirkcaldy will have supplies of assorted hardwood logs, and the benefit of these is that they give a long, sustained burn, providing three or four hours of comforting heat. The drawback of hardwood is that it can be quite tricky to get going, therefore if you can pick up some softwood logs, these are terrific for getting a fire started.
The International Society of Arboriculture
An international, non-profit organisation that is based in Atlanta, United States, the International Society of Arboriculture is often referred to just as the ISA. Advancing the professional practice of arboriculture, the ISA is a membership association serving the tree care industry across the world.
Supporting best tree care practices through educational publications, services and events, the ISA has a firm focus on enabling those who work in the tree care sector develop their knowledge, skills and arboricultural expertise whenever possible.
A partnership agreement signed in 2016 between the Arboricultural Association and the International Society of Arboriculture, meant that the AA became an associate organisation of the ISA. The relationship between the two bodies was therefore strengthened, and more opportunities made available for UK and Ireland ISA members. UK members of the AA can now reap the benefits of being an integral part of an international network of tree care professionals. The ISA now has associate organisations and professional affiliates in EXTRAhedge lowering, tree replanting, root removal in Kirkcaldy, root pruning, tree watering, site clearance, root decompaction Kirkcaldy, root grinding, crown removal Kirkcaldy, crown reduction, stump treatment in Kirkcaldy, tree reduction, woodchipping, eco plug treatments Kirkcaldy, crown lifting, tree removal, tree management, root flare exposure, tree planning in Kirkcaldy, tree bracing, pollarding, arboriculture, the protection of trees from grazing, crown thinning, terraventing, vegetation management, tree maintenance, waste removal in Kirkcaldy, airspading, formative pruningTEN, and the UK, and has an international membership of over twenty two thousand.
Storm Damage Prevention Kirkcaldy
Of all the living things in our gardens, trees give the impression of being the sturdiest, strongest and the most able to stand up to the vagaries of Mother Nature. Some tree varieties can continue to grow without any problem for many hundreds of years, in particular sweet chestnuts, oaks and yews.
Even so, when faced with a certain set of conditions they can be very susceptible to the elements, and it isn't only falling branches and limbs that can result, but the whole tree can fall over in extreme circumstances. High winds pose serious problems for trees, and this kind of damage has become more and more common in Kirkcaldy, as the number of severe storms and weather events increases with climate change. Soil that becomes saturated during floods or extended periods of rainfall can be another issue, as can heavy snowfall in winter.
To reduce the chance of issues with your trees in times of severe weather, it is recommended that you get a qualified Kirkcaldy tree surgeon to examine them now and again, and trim any dead, dying or overhanging branches.
It's also a good idea to fit bigger trees with lightning rods, copper conductors, or other lightning protection systems, to prevent them being struck by lightning, and to safeguard surrounding property and buildings which may be vulnerable to side-flashes ("jumps"). A tree can be killed or severely weakened when it is struck by lightning, and even if the damage isn't immediately noticeable, the tree is going to be more vulnerable to attacks by disease and pests. You might not imagine that lightning strikes are all that common, yet in the UK alone there are approximately three hundred thousand lightning strikes recorded every year.
Ask your local Kirkcaldy tree care specialist what they can do to protect your trees from being damaged by storms and lessen the chance of major consequences should an unsound tree topple over due to extreme weather conditions. (Tags: Storm Damage Kirkcaldy, Storm Damaged Trees Kirkcaldy, Storm Damage Prevention Kirkcaldy).
Management of Vegetation
It's not simply the removal and maintenance of trees that your local Kirkcaldy tree surgeon will be able to help you with, but also any form of unchecked vegetation which is clogging up your land. Experienced tree surgeons will usually be happy to remove shrubs, weeds, bushes and overgrown vegetation which may be taking hold near sheds, driveways, walkways, patios or buildings, and causing an annoyance. If you are going to maintain your precious garden properly then all this unwanted growth should be reduced every few months, and if you find you've got the time and inclination this is a task that you may achieve on your own if you're fit and able, or you might ask a tree surgeon to pay a visit once a year to keep it looking good. Vegetation management is crucial if you are going to maintain easy and safe access to every area of your garden and if this is not done the vegetation will pretty quickly get out of control and lessen the enjoyment of your garden. Aside from everything else the garden will also look better when maintained properly.
Tree Surgery Tasks Kirkcaldy
Kirkcaldy tree surgeons will likely help you with hedge lowering, tree replanting, root removal in Kirkcaldy, root pruning, tree watering, site clearance, root decompaction Kirkcaldy, root grinding, crown removal Kirkcaldy, crown reduction, stump treatment in Kirkcaldy, tree reduction, woodchipping, eco plug treatments Kirkcaldy, crown lifting, tree removal, tree management, root flare exposure, tree planning in Kirkcaldy, tree bracing, pollarding, arboriculture, the protection of trees from grazing, crown thinning, terraventing, vegetation management, tree maintenance, waste removal in Kirkcaldy, airspading, formative pruning and other tree surgeon services in Kirkcaldy, Scotland. These are just a small portion of the tasks that are handled by a tree surgeon. Kirkcaldy professionals will tell you about their full range of services.
Tree Surgeons Nearby
Also find: Markinch tree surgeon, Coaltown of Balgonie tree surgeon, Kinglassie tree surgeon, Thornton tree surgeon, Auchtertool tree surgeon, Cardenden tree surgeon, West Wemyss tree surgeon, Aberdour tree surgeon, Dysart tree surgeon, Lochore tree surgeon, Kinghorn tree surgeon, Windygates tree surgeon and more. Almost all of these villages and towns are catered for by tree care companies. Homeowners in the area can acquire tree surgery estimates by clicking here.
Tree Care Services Kirkcaldy
- Kirkcaldy Woodland Clearance
- Kirkcaldy Crown Thinning
- Kirkcaldy Tree Planting
- Kirkcaldy Crown Removal
- Kirkcaldy Tree Felling
- Kirkcaldy Tree Management
- Kirkcaldy Eco-Plugging
- Kirkcaldy Tree Shaping
- Kirkcaldy Tree Removal
- Kirkcaldy Root Decompaction
- Kirkcaldy Shrub Maintenance
- Kirkcaldy Root Removal
- Kirkcaldy Woodchipping
- Kirkcaldy Tree Dismantling
More Kirkcaldy Trades: Naturally, whenever you're having tree surgery done in Kirkcaldy, Scotland, you'll likely be in need of other garden related services, and as well as a tree surgeon in Kirkcaldy, Scotland, you may also need garden decking in Kirkcaldy, soil irrigation in Kirkcaldy, landscape gardeners in Kirkcaldy, gate installation in Kirkcaldy, garden design and planning in Kirkcaldy, rubbish removal in Kirkcaldy, weeding services in Kirkcaldy, garden clearances in Kirkcaldy, pond installers in Kirkcaldy, hedge shaping in Kirkcaldy, lawn mowing in Kirkcaldy, patio installation in Kirkcaldy, local SKIP HIRE in Kirkcaldy, artifical grass in Kirkcaldy, garden sheds in Kirkcaldy, driveways in Kirkcaldy, and other different Kirkcaldy tradespeople.
To find local Kirkcaldy information look here
Tree Surgery KY1 area, (dialling code 01592).
Tree Care Kirkcaldy - Tree Surgeons Kirkcaldy - Tree Surgery Kirkcaldy - Vegetation Management Kirkcaldy - Arboriculture Kirkcaldy - Stump Removal Kirkcaldy - 01592 - Tree Pruning Kirkcaldy - Tree Management Kirkcaldy