Knutsford Tree Surgeon Cheshire: Trees are a vital feature of many gardens and properties in Knutsford, and they can frequently transform an otherwise two dimensional area by adding structure, substance and style. But when neglected or affected by severe weather conditions, for example flooding or storms, trees can be a bit of an issue. The safest option if there is work that needs carrying out on your trees, is to seek advice from a skilled tree surgeon in Knutsford.
People in Knutsford who attempt to do tree work themselves, or by using non-qualified personnel could risk causing damage to property, the trees and to life. However, tree work isn't even safe for qualified tree surgeons, who know about all of the risks involved with it. Tree surgery is definitely not a task for novices, and on average there are 140 severe injuries and 3 deaths per year within the profession, making it one of the most hazardous jobs in the UK.
With around five people per year being tragically killed by falling trees and branches in the United Kingdom, even a poorly maintained or damaged tree can also cause a threat to life. If you employ somebody to do tree work and there is an injury, or damage to property, you may be liable for any compensation to any third-party as a consequence of your actions. These are just some of the reasons why retaining the services of an experienced Knutsford tree surgeon to carry out the work on your trees is vitally important. (Source - HSE).
CHOOSING A TREE SURGEON IN KNUTSFORD - There are two professional trade bodies that a competent Knutsford tree surgeon should really be a member of. The websites of both the Arboricultural Association (AA) and the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) allow you to check the professional status and membership of any tree surgeon in Knutsford. To find out if any specific local tree surgeon has recognised ARB Approved Contractor status and has membership of either of these organisations, you can check out this webpage.
You are able to get hold of these professional organisations for assistance in arbitration and for advice and help, if a problem springs up at any stage during the course of the work, or after it has been finished.
If anyone offers you a quote for any tree work and they are not on this directory, you should graciously decline their offer of work and continue your search for an approved contractor. It's wise to get a minimum of 3 different price quotes from various companies in Knutsford, when you have diligently checked their professional accreditations and memberships. Whilst obtaining the quotes you should ask the questions below, making it crystal clear that you need to know the answers due to the risks involved with tree surgery work:
- Do you have a NPTC certificate for chainsaw use, and documentary proof of your qualifications and professional memberships? The NPTC/LANTRA certificate is required by law for any tree surgeon who uses a chainsaw. A skilled tree surgeon in Knutsford might hold City and Guilds Diplomas and Certificates in Arboriculture.
- Can I inspect the standard of your tree work by contacting a person you have worked for recently? It's always advisable to carry out an independent examination of recently accomplished work.
- Can you provide a quotation in writing? Verbal quotes alone are not sufficient. Always try to get a written quote.
- How much insurance cover do you provide? As stated by the AA and ISA, your tree surgeon should be able to produce a certificate covering no less than five million pounds public liability insurance.
The written quote that you're given must include clear and concise specifics of the planned tree work. Who's responsible for the removal and disposal of waste, tree branches and stumps should be stated, as should information on any trees which may be protected in law, and the steps required to get permission to carry out work on them. You should also make certain VAT has been included on the quotation. It is extremely important to recognise that you've got a responsibility to hire only competent people to work on your trees and property.
PRIOR TO WORK - Checking whether any of your trees are protected, your chosen Knutsford tree surgeon should make certain that any tree work gets the green light from the appropriate local authority department. Discovering that a tree has got protected status doesn't signify that work cannot be carried out, as even protected trees require maintenance so as to cut back dead or damaged wood and ensure the safety of the public.
If your property in Knutsford is located in a designated conservation area then a minimum of six weeks written notice must be given to the Local Planning Authority (LPA) before any tree work can be undertaken. However, tree stems of less than 75 millimetres in diameter when measured at 1.5m from ground level are free from this requirement. Also, if the branches of a protected tree need to be thinned or pruned to encourage and sustain growth, written notice won't be necessary.
After carrying out a thorough assessment of your trees health, your Knutsford tree surgeon will determine the remedial treatment needed and how best and safely to achieve the required outcome. Where there is any possibility of falling debris, a risk assessment will have to be undertaken on public spaces, your property, and parts of a neighbour's property that might be impacted. The level of protection required and the amount of workforce needed, will also be established at this stage. This is both personal protective equipment (PPE) as well as other safety precautions to keep property and the general public safe from harm or damage.
ON THE DAY OF WORK - To keep unauthorised persons and passers-by away from the work area, safety measures and barriers will be put in place before any cutting of branches, climbing or tree felling commences. If there's any danger of falling debris into a public road, traffic may have to be temporarily stopped.
Different kinds of work will require the tree surgeon to have varying degrees of protection. At the bare minimum they will be wearing specialist protective clothing to prevent cutting injuries to the legs, torso and hands, when doing chainsaw work. All workers involved in the operation should be wearing high-vis clothing, and head and eye protection, at all times.
Climbing equipment and ladders will need to be deployed if any working at height is involved, and to help with the safe removal of high branches and large sections of tree trunk, additional operatives will be essential. For hauling waste materials away from the work area, a skip or truck will be stationed as close as possible to the area. This need for easy access is reason enough for informing your nearby neighbours of the work you're intending to do.
AFTER COMPLETION OF WORK - The site can be cleared of any debris, and all of the waste materials can be hauled away, as soon as all of the tree work has been concluded. Your tree surgeon should then prepare and sign off a certificate of work, a copy of which will be given to you. This is especially important where protected trees are concerned. Highways and paths can then be re-opened to the public, with any safety measures in public spaces being taken away.
If you've got any issues or problems with the completed work, you should first take them up with the tree surgeon so that they can be put right straight away. If your tree surgeon is a signed up member of a professional body, and any further arbitration is needed, you can obtain help and guidance from the International Society of Arboriculture or the Arboricultural Association in order to reach an acceptable solution.
Locally based Knutsford tree surgery services are likely to have the dialling code 01565 and the postcode WA16. They will work in Knutsford itself, together with nearby areas like Ashley, Aston by Budworth, Tabley, Boots Green, Knolls Green Village, Moston, Rostherne, Swarton Heath, Toft, Ollerton, Lower Peover, High Legh, Mobberley, Cross Town, Pickmere, Mere, and these postcodes: WA16 6BH, WA16 1AL, WA16 6EY, WA16, WA16 0DT, WA16 6BF, WA16 0NS, WA16 1AE, WA16 0DY, WA16 6DG.
For this kind of service it's definitely a good idea to use an approved tree surgeon. Knutsford home and business owners can benefit greatly from the skills and knowledge that a trained professional can offer.
Tree Surveys Knutsford
There are a variety of reasons why you may need a tree survey, and the most commonplace is for development or property extension. As set out by British Standards BS5837 (2012), if you're clearing a piece of land to make room for an extension to an existing property or a brand new house in Knutsford, and trees exist on that land, you may need to undertake a professional tree survey. Knutsford tree surveys on both private and public property, should be carried out by a certified tree surgeon or tree surveyor.
For a specified area, a number of details will be gathered about all of the trees within it. For instance:
- The species of trees on the site.
- The spread of branches towards the West, South, East and North.
- The existence of any TPOs (Tree Preservation Orders).
- A unique tree reference number for each of the trees.
- The life expectancy of the trees.
- The ages of the trees.
- Recommendations for tree management.
- The height of each tree in metres.
- The diameter of each tree (taken 1.5m above the ground).
- The structural and physiological health of the trees.
- The number of trees (those of over 75mm diameter 1.5m from ground level).
If you happen to be altering an existing home or property in Knutsford but are not increasing the footprint of the building and aren't changing the access points or service lines, a tree survey probably won't be needed.
Ash Dieback (Hymenoscyphus Fraxineus)
First recorded in the British Isles in 2021, ash dieback is an infectious fungal disease which is expected to wipe out about 80 percent of the current ash trees, over the next few years. Ash dieback is going to have an immense impact on our countryside, adding to the tragedy caused by the Dutch Elm Disease crisis.
Ash dieback has an especially disastrous effect on the native Fraxinus excelsior (common ash), British Fraxinus excelsior (common ash), although it affects the entire Fraxinus genus of trees, with different levels of tolerance to it. The fungus which causes ash dieback is named Hymenoscyphus fraxineus, and it originated in Asia.
Dispersed by wind blown spores produced by the fruiting bodies of the fungus, and are able to travel for tens of miles, ash dieback (or chalara ash dieback) has now spread to most parts of the United Kingdom.
Ash dieback has an effect on trees of every age group and has the following symptoms:
- New growth appears from previously dormant buds (epicormic growth).
- Wilting leaves that turn black in colour and are shed early.
- Dying shoots and leaves that are visible during the summertime.
- Dark patches on leaves during the summertime.
- The formation of necrotic lesions where limbs join the trunk.
Stronger ash can fight the disease to some extent, but ultimately succumb to repeated attacks. At this time there is no apparent strategy for stopping the spread of achalara ash dieback, and there is no cure or effective treatment.
If you have suspicions that a tree in your local area is contaminated with ash dieback, or you're concerned about a tree in your garden in Knutsford, you should bring in a local tree surgeon to verify the diagnosis, and you can then send in a report to the "Tree Alert Service" provided by the Forestry Commission, although they're presently only interested in cases in previously unaffected areas.
Tree families affected by ash dieback: the Fraxinus genus (Fraxinus excelsior, EXTRAtree reshaping, coppicing, woodchipping, stump grinding Knutsford, tree pruning, tree felling Knutsford, tree pest management, tree waste removal, tree inspections, tree surveys in Knutsford, tree maintenance, crown removal, dead wooding Knutsford, crown raising, hazard assessment, stump treatment in Knutsford, brush cutting services in Knutsford, vegetation management, crown reduction, dead wood removal, decompaction in Knutsford, tree lightening protection, safety inspections in Knutsford, tree topping, air spading, forestry management, woodland management, cut sealing, formative pruning in Knutsford, pollarding in KnutsfordNINE).
Tree Removal Knutsford
Trees can be beneficial, hence tree removal should in fact be the final resort. Yet, there are authentic reasons behind tree removal on your property or garden in Knutsford. Among the familiar reasons for having to fell a tree are when: your tree is hampering a new construction project, the tree is infected, the roots of a tree are obstructing foundations/retaining walls, your tree has grown too large, your tree presents a safety hazard, you've got a dying/dead tree or the tree is damaged. (Tags: Removing Trees Knutsford, Tree Felling Knutsford, Tree Removal Knutsford)
Woodland Clearance Knutsford
Woodland clearance in the Knutsford area must only be performed after any regulatory measures and restrictions have been observed and established. Hiring the services of an experienced Knutsford tree surgeon for woodland clearance project, will see them apply for any required permits, follow applicable protection orders and covenants, and using eco-friendly and ethical methods in conduction the clearance.
An accredited company will communicate with national and local woodland organisations and authorities and conduct a full site survey. Mitigation procedures may have to be used if there's protected animal species or plants in the area; this could require replanting of trees and relocation of creatures, such as bats or lizards to an alternative protected site.
It will be far more economical to employ an accredited Knutsford tree surgeon to carry out your clearance work, because the felling, chipping and mulching equipment that is necessary is very expensive.
The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA)
Based in Atlanta, USA, the International Society of Arboriculture, normally referred to as simply the ISA is a non-profit, international organisation that encourages the awareness and benefits of trees. A membership association serving the tree care industry across the globe, the ISA champions the professional practice of arboriculture.
Promoting best tree care practices, and focusing on research, technology and education, the ISA provides educational services, events and publications improve the skills, arboricultural expertise and knowledge of individuals in the tree care industry.
Since signing an agreement with them in 2016 the Arboricultural Association has been an associate organisation of the ISA. This substantially strengthened the relationship between the two associations and offered further opportunities for ISA members in the UK and Ireland. AA members in the UK now benefit from being part of a network of tree care professionals from all around the world. Boasting over 22,000 members globally the ISA now has professional affiliates and associate organisations in EXTRAtree reshaping, coppicing, woodchipping, stump grinding Knutsford, tree pruning, tree felling Knutsford, tree pest management, tree waste removal, tree inspections, tree surveys in Knutsford, tree maintenance, crown removal, dead wooding Knutsford, crown raising, hazard assessment, stump treatment in Knutsford, brush cutting services in Knutsford, vegetation management, crown reduction, dead wood removal, decompaction in Knutsford, tree lightening protection, safety inspections in Knutsford, tree topping, air spading, forestry management, woodland management, cut sealing, formative pruning in Knutsford, pollarding in KnutsfordTEN, and the United Kingdom.
Tree Care Injuries
As we have already mentioned, the work that tree surgeons in Knutsford carry out, involves a high level of danger. When work is being undertaken on trees, there is a clear risk of injury to both operatives, co-workers and passers-by, so all reasonable precautions should be taken.
The vast majority of major and fatal injuries are linked to the use of chainsaws, falls from trees, and being struck by a falling tree or branch, according to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). The reality is that tree surgeons and arborists are more at risk of being seriously injured than workers involved in the construction industry.
The most frequent tree work accidents are lifting injuries, being struck by objects (grapple hooks, ropes, trees, branches, cranes etc) and slipping from ladders, in relation to insurance claims.
All of this underlines the importance of employing a qualified Knutsford tree surgeon to do the work on your trees. In the tree care industry, most accidents are down to inexperienced workers attempting tasks that they are not fully trained in, or equipped for. So, using an established and reputable company that has been operating in the Knutsford area for several years, is the easiest way to sidestep such problems.
Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) Knutsford
Before you do any serious work on your trees in Knutsford, you must make sure there is not a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) on any of them. To find out whether any of your trees are subject to Tree Preservation Orders, get in touch with your local planning authority. A Tree Preservation Order prohibits the uprooting, topping, felling, lopping, wilful destruction, wilful damage or removal of any tree that is covered. You could ask if your tree surgeon will help with these checks, any reputable one will be happy to offer advice.
If you happen to reside in a conservation area in Knutsford, you should always speak with your council concerning any tree surgery work, and if the tree involved has a stem diameter of over seventy five millimetres (at a point 1.5 metres from ground level), you must give your local planning authority a minimum of 6 wks written notice.
A Tree Surgeons's Day to Day Duties
- Tree planting and transplanting.
- Establish dangers posed by trees.
- Tidy up site upon completion and remove waste from client's site.
- Prepare on-site or telephone quotes with the clients.
- Chip and cut logs and branches.
- Be adept with power tools and other powered machinery.
- Prepare tree survey reports for both domestic and commercial customers.
- Fell and remove trees and grind stumps.
- Climb trees to prune or remove branches as required.
- Evaluate the health of trees and create plan of action.
- Deal with customers and complete admin duties.
- Maintain and service equipment like wood chippers and chainsaws.
Tree Surgery Tasks Knutsford
Knutsford tree surgeons will likely help you with tree reshaping, coppicing, woodchipping, stump grinding Knutsford, tree pruning, tree felling Knutsford, tree pest management, tree waste removal, tree inspections, tree surveys in Knutsford, tree maintenance, crown removal, dead wooding Knutsford, crown raising, hazard assessment, stump treatment in Knutsford, brush cutting services in Knutsford, vegetation management, crown reduction, dead wood removal, decompaction in Knutsford, tree lightening protection, safety inspections in Knutsford, tree topping, air spading, forestry management, woodland management, cut sealing, formative pruning in Knutsford, pollarding in Knutsford and other tree surgeon services in Knutsford, Cheshire. These are just some of the activities that are conducted by a local tree surgeon. Knutsford providers will keep you informed about their whole range of services.
Tree Surgeons Nearby
Also find: High Legh tree surgeon, Boots Green tree surgeon, Ashley tree surgeon, Lower Peover tree surgeon, Knolls Green Village tree surgeon, Aston by Budworth tree surgeon, Tabley tree surgeon, Mere tree surgeon, Rostherne tree surgeon, Swarton Heath tree surgeon, Toft tree surgeon, Moston tree surgeon, Pickmere tree surgeon, Mobberley tree surgeon, Cross Town tree surgeon and more. The majority of these towns and areas are serviced by local tree surgeons. Householders in these places can get quotes for tree surgery by clicking here.
Tree Care Services Knutsford
- Knutsford Tree Bracing
- Knutsford Tree Watering
- Knutsford Forestry Management
- Knutsford Shrub Maintenance
- Knutsford Tree Pruning
- Knutsford Root Decompaction
- Knutsford Hedge Cutting
- Knutsford Tree Pollarding
- Knutsford Tree Management
- Knutsford Arboriculture
- Knutsford Vegetation Management
- Knutsford Wood Chipping
- Knutsford Crown Removal
- Knutsford Woodchipping
More Knutsford Trades: Needless to say, when you are having tree surgery done in Knutsford, Cheshire, you are likely to need other garden related services, and as well as a tree surgeon in Knutsford, Cheshire, you could additionally need waste removal in Knutsford, artificial grass installers in Knutsford, garden shed builders in Knutsford, garden design and planning in Knutsford, patio installers in Knutsford, fencers in Knutsford, garden decking in Knutsford, garden pond builders in Knutsford, lawn mowing in Knutsford, driveways in Knutsford, hedge shaping in Knutsford, landscaping in Knutsford, soil irrigation in Knutsford, SKIP HIRE in Knutsford, garden clearances in Knutsford, weeding in Knutsford, and other different Knutsford tradespeople.
To read local information relating to Knutsford, Cheshire take a look here
Tree Surgery WA16 area, phone code 01565.
Tree Care Knutsford - Vegetation Control Knutsford - Tree Surgeons Knutsford - Forest Management Knutsford - Tree Pruning Knutsford - Crown Lifting Knutsford - 01565 - WA16 - Stump Removal Knutsford