Leicester Tree Surgeon Leicestershire: An attractive feature of many gardens and properties in Leicester, trees add style, structure and substance to what can sometimes be an unexciting and 2 dimensional landscape. But problems may occur when trees are neglected or have been affected by extreme weather events, for instance storms or flooding. Prior to any work beginning, the safest option is to get the advice of a trained tree surgeon in Leicester, when your trees are in need of attention.
Hiring an unqualified individual for tree work or attempting to do it by yourself, could cause damage to property, harm your trees, or even lead to injury or death. However, even for trained tree surgeons who are acquainted with all the dangers, tree work is not entirely safe. Tree surgery is definitely not a task for amateurs, and on average there are 140 major injuries and 3 deaths annually within the industry, making it one of the most hazardous jobs in the UK.
With falling branches or trees causing around 5 fatalities per year in the UK, a threat to life can even be caused by a poorly maintained or damaged tree. If you hire somebody to do tree work and property is damaged, or an injury occurs, you could be liable for any compensation to any third-party due to the consequences of your actions. The above are merely a few of the reasons why using the services of a skilled Leicester tree surgeon to carry out the work on your trees is vitally important. (Source - HSE UK).
There are two main professional industry bodies, at least one of which a competent tree surgeon in Leicester should be a member of. The membership and professional standing of any tree surgeon in Leicester can be checked out on the websites of both the Arboricultural Association (AA) and the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). This page permits you to check whether any specific tree surgeon has ARB Approved Contractor status, and has membership of either of these associations.
For arbitration assistance and for guidance and help at any stage during or after the work has been completed, you'll be able to contact either one of these trade bodies.
If a tree surgeon who you're unable to find on this directory list offers to provide you with a price quote, it is recommended that you continue your search for an approved and qualified contractor, and courteously decline their offer. You should try to get at least 3 different quotations from various companies in Leicester when you've reassured yourself of their accreditations and professional memberships. Due to the risks of the work involved, you should ask the below questions, making it clear that you need them to provide you with the answers:
- Can you offer me a written quotation? You should only ever accept a written quote. NEVER settle for a verbal quote only.
- Can I contact some former customers so that I can check the quality of your tree work? Doing an independent check on any recent work is always advisable.
- Have you got documents to demonstrate that you have the recommended qualifications, membership of the ISA or AA, and also a certificate for chainsaw use from the NPTC/LANTRA? It is required by law that any worker/tree surgeon using a chainsaw must have gained a NPTC/LANTRA certificate. Qualifications might include City and Guilds National Diplomas and Certificates in Arboriculture.
- What insurance cover do you provide? Your tree surgeon should be able to show you an insurance certificate covering no less than five million pounds public liability, as stated by the ISA and AA.
The written quote that you're given should include easily followed information on the proposed tree work. It should include details about any trees which could be protected, and the required steps to get permission to work on them, and also state who's responsible for the removal of waste, tree branches and stumps. You should also make sure VAT is included on the quote unless you are a commercial business. Realising that you've got a responsibility for hiring only capable people to work on your property and trees, is important. 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 COMMENCING - Checking into the possibility of any trees having protected status, your selected Leicester tree surgeon should make certain that any tree work can get the go-ahead from the appropriate local authority department. Finding a tree has got protected status doesn't mean that work cannot be carried out, because even protected trees require maintenance so as to cut back old or dead wood and ensure public safety.
If your property in Leicester is situated in a conservation area then a minimum of six weeks written notice is required to the Local Planning Authority (LPA) prior to any work being conducted. This written notice isn't required if the stem of the tree is under 7.5 centimetres in diameter when measured at 1.5 metres from ground level. It is also not necessary to give notice if the branches of a protected tree need thinning or pruning simply to sustain and promote growth.
After carrying out a complete assessment of your trees health, your chosen Leicester tree surgeon will determine the remedial treatment required and how best and safely to achieve the required outcome. Where there's any potential for falling debris, a risk assessment will have to be performed on public spaces, your property, and sections of neighbouring properties that could be impacted. This stage will also establish the number of operatives needed and the level of protection required. To keep the public and other property safe from damage or harm, this will include both personal protection equipment and other safety precautions.
ON THE DAY OF WORK - Barriers and safety measures will be put in place before any climbing, cutting of branches or tree felling commences, to keep unauthorised persons away from the work area. If there is a danger of falling debris into a public road, traffic might have to be temporarily halted.
The tree surgeon will need varying degrees of protection subject to the type of work being carried out. When working with a chainsaw, they will at the very least be wearing protective clothing to prevent serious cutting injuries to the hands, torso and legs. Without exception, every worker involved in the operation should wear eye and head protection, and hi-vis clothing.
Ladders and associated climbing equipment will be needed if any working at height is involved, and to help in the removal of high branches and large pieces of tree trunk, extra personnel will be necessary. For removing waste materials, unhindered access to the site will be necessary. So, it's recommended that you inform your next door neighbours, as a skip or other transportation vehicle will need to be stationed as close to the work area as possible while work proceeds.
UPON COMPLETION OF WORK - The whole area can be cleared of any debris, and all of the waste and branches can be hauled away, after all of the tree work has been completed. Especially where the trees are under a protection order, a certificate of work should then be created by your tree surgeon, which can 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 paths being re-opened to the public.
Issues or problems should be fixed straight away by approaching your tree surgeon directly. If your tree surgeon is a registered member of a professional body, you can obtain advice and guidance from the AA or the ISA so as to arrive at an acceptable solution, if any further arbitration is needed.
Local Leicester tree surgery services will probably have the postcode LE1 and the telephone dialling code 0116. They'll work in Leicester itself, in addition to nearby areas such as Beaumont Leys, Wigston, Birstall and Thurmarston, Enderby, Humberstone, Knighton, Groby, Oadby, Mountsorrel, Spinney Hills, Evington, Clarendon Park, Aylestone, Dane Hills, Anstey, Belgrave, and these postcodes: LE1 3AF, LE1 2ND, LE1 1LE, LE1 2BN, LE1 1FZ, LE1 1FQ, LE1 2EA, LE1 1QH, LE1 2AU, LE1 3BD.
If you require this type of service it's unquestionably advisable to hire an approved tree surgeon. Leicester property owners can benefit greatly from the skills that are the trademark of a trained professional.
Woodland Clearance Leicester
Woodland clearance in the Leicester area is a sophisticated process that can be affected by a number of restrictions and regulations. To make certain that all applicable permits are gathered, land covenants and restrictions are enforced, and that all strategies for clearing the area are ecologically sound, an experienced Leicester tree surgeon should be recruited to manage and complete the project.
A thorough site survey will be completed by a tree surgeon who'll also collaborate with woodland authorities and organisations to ensure that your clearance is undertaken safely and legally. If it's found that protected plant or animal life is in the area to be cleared, it may be possible to transfer these flora and fauna, on approval from the relevant authorities.
The highly technical and extremely expensive gear that is used in woodland clearance, means that it is far more cost effective to engage an experienced tree surgeon to take care of your clearance project.
Tree Surveys Leicester
Tree surveys could be necessary for a number of reasons, but the most common is when development or property extension is taking place. If, for instance, you are clearing a piece of land in Leicester to make way for a new home or an extension to an existing property, and there are trees growing on that land, you may need to carry out a tree survey to British Standards BS5837 (2012). Tree surveys on both public and private property should be conducted by an accredited arborist or tree surgeon in Leicester.
A properly done tree survey will produce a number of details about all of the trees within a defined area. For example:
- The health of the trees.
- The spread of branches to the South, North, East and West.
- The number of trees (those of over 75mm diameter 1.5m from ground level).
- A unique tree reference number for each of the trees.
- The expected lifespan of the trees.
- The height of each tree in metres.
- The existence of any Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs).
- The diameter of each tree (taken 1.5m above ground level).
- The species of trees on the site.
- The age of the trees (i.e. young, semi-mature, mature, over-mature and veteran).
- Tree management recommendations.
If you're doing work on an existing home in Leicester, but aren't modifying the service lines or access points, or extending the footprint of the building, you probably won't need to carry out a tree survey. (Tags: Tree Surveyors Leicester, Leicester Tree Surveys, Tree Surveys Leicester, Tree Survey Leicester).
Problems With Tree Roots Leicester
Because certain trees have exceptionally intrusive roots, if they are growing too near to your home in Leicester, they can trigger various issues, potentially serious. Issues that can develop include blocked drains, cracked patios and damaged foundations. Species like elms, maples, willows and sycamores, are trees that have extremely invasive root systems.
Problems can be avoided down the line, if you make sure you plant any new trees as far away as possible from pathways, patio areas, your home and your sewerage pipes. If some of these issues are already being caused by existing trees which are growing too close to your dwelling, you should bring in a tree surgeon in Leicester for help and advice.
To avoid the possibility of severely harming the health of your tree or even killing it off altogether, you shouldn't simply cut through the offending roots in an effort to deal with this yourself. So that the damage is reduced, and the tree is still able to get sufficient water and food to survive and thrive, a competent tree surgeon in Leicester will know which roots can be cut, and which roots should be left.
Tree and shrub roots frequently cause structural issues in underground drains, as sewage lines provide a constant source of water and nutrients. Tiny tree roots can quickly invade a drainage system's joints, and when established develop into huge root balls which can trigger joint failure and blockages. Professional root removal services will be provided by some Leicester tree surgeons, who will use either manual rodding, electro-mechanical equipment or high pressure jetting to remove the troublesome roots. You can also access root removal services in Beaumont Leys, Wigston, Birstall and Thurmarston, Enderby, Humberstone, Knighton, Groby, Oadby, Mountsorrel, Spinney Hills, Evington, Clarendon Park, Aylestone, Dane Hills, Anstey, Belgrave, and in Leicester itself.
Accidents Through Tree Surgery
The work carried out by tree care professionals in Leicester can be highly dangerous. When working on trees, there is a high risk of injury to both operatives and those on the ground, so all possible safety measures must be implemented.
A large majority of fatal and serious injuries are associated with the use of chainsaws, falls from trees, and being struck by a falling branch or tree, as stated by the HSE. The startling fact is that arborists and tree care specialists are more at risk of being seriously injured than workers involved in the construction industry.
The most commonplace tree surgery accidents in relation to insurance claims, involve lifting injuries, being struck by objects (ropes, branches, cranes, grapple hooks, trees etc) and slipping from ladders.
This all accentuates the need for employing a professional Leicester tree surgeon when work needs to be done on your trees. A lot of accidents that happen in the tree care sector can be attributed to unskilled workers trying to carry out tasks that they are not fully trained in. Using a reputable and established Leicester company who have been operating in the local area for a number of years, is the easiest way to avoid such issues, and get your tree surgery work done safely.
Wood Chipping Leicester
To reduce the vegetation, tree limbs and branches that tree surgery generates, most experienced Leicester tree surgeons will make use of wood chipping machinery. These powerful wood chipping machines can gobble up as much as forty tons of material per hour, depending on what equipment is being used, although the most commonly used models will process nearer to 5 tons per hour.
Chopping down the tree branches in this way makes them less cumbersome to transport and also produces a valuable material that can be used for a number of purposes like, garden pathways, weed prevention, landscaping, biomass fuel, wood pulp, cultivating mushrooms, mulch in gardening and ecosystem restoration.
Typically, Leicester tree surgeons will take away all the wood chips that result from your tree surgery project, except if you need them for one of the previously mentioned uses, in which case they'll generally be pleased to let you keep some or all of them. Tree surgeons are a great source for wood chippings which you can use in your garden, even if you do not need any tree surgery work doing on your property in Leicester. Certain tree surgeons will want paying for wood chippings, particularly if you need them to be delivered, others will let you have them for free.
Wood chipping machinery is manufactured by a number of companies, some of the most recognised brands include Hyundai, Timberwolf, Forest Master and Crytec.
Dead-Wooding Leicester
Dead-wooding (or deadwooding) is an important part of tree management, and all experienced Leicester tree surgeons will carry out this process where necessary. When there's a chance of dead or rotting branches falling on buildings, pedestrians or vehicles, dead-wooding will be carried out to remove the offending limbs. The most commonplace reasons for the branches of a tree dying are damage to the root system, heavy shading, pest attacks or diseases, and this is of course a purely natural process.
The purpose of dead-wooding is usually that of safety, however, it is also done for the benefit of the tree or purely to make it look more appealing. The spread of disease and insect infestations can be encouraged by an excessive amount of damaged, dying and dead branches, therefore the health of the tree can be greatly improved by removing these dead branches. Trees that have lots of dead wood also look ugly, so to improve its appearance, this should all be removed.
In most cases only the largest dead branches will be cut out, as smaller ones pose minimal risk. However, it may be necessary to cut out any dead branches that are more than fifty millimetres in diameter, where trees in Leicester hang over a park, a road, a dwelling, a public space or a garden.
Tree Cable Bracing Leicester
In specific situations where a tree is showing signs of damage, decay, or is a threat to nearby persons or property, a technique called cable bracing can be used to provide support for the tree. Where older or valued trees in Leicester are involved, cable bracing is generally used where it's unsatisfactory to fell a tree or cut out large portions that are unsafe or unstable.
A cable bracing system can be useful for supporting any defective joints, weak tree limbs and V-shaped forks that may be causing some concerns. To help alleviate structural stresses and prolong the life of old and valuable trees most Leicester tree surgeons should be able to conduct different types of bracing work by the fitting of rods and cables.
Cable bracing doesn't cause further damage to the tree (as would happen when drilling and bolting the branches), and delivers a flexible and shock-absorbing means of support that is largely non-invasive. A comprehensive risk risk assessment must be undertaken by an arborist of tree surgeon before any actual work can commence. This is important to ensure the safety of the tree and nearby areas as the project progresses. (Tags: Tree Cable Bracing Leicester, Cable Bracing Leicester, Cable Bracing Trees Leicester, Cable Bracing Techniques Leicester).
Stump Grinding
It is vital to you should call in a tree surgery company having the appropriate knowhow and tools, when you need to get specialist services like stump grinding carried out in Leicester. The very best Leicester tree surgeons will appreciate that every last piece of the stump should be eliminated to a depth of at least one foot. Using the appropriate machinery ensures they are able to extract stumps and roots very close to buildings and walls while avoiding damage. The appropriate stump grinders is also able to sort out any awkward tree stumps in alleys and passageways. It can involve a herculean effort to eradicate the stumps of massive trees, where the stump and thicker roots go down to a considerable depth, making the job even more problematic if you do not have the correct gear. (Tags: Stump Grinding Leicester, Tree Stump Removal Leicester, Stump Removal Leicester)
Ash Dieback (Hymenoscyphus Fraxineus)
A destructive fungal disease that's likely to decimate around 80 percent of the current British ash tree stock, in the next few years, ash dieback was first recorded in Britain in 2012, when a nursery brought in a significant number of trees from the Netherlands. Set to have an immense impact on our beloved countryside, ash dieback is destined to be just as catastrophic as the preceding epidemic of Dutch Elm Disease.
Ash dieback has a particularly devastating effect on the native British common ash (Fraxinus excelsior), although it affects the whole Fraxinus genus of trees, which have different degrees of tolerance to it. Originally coming from eastern Asia, the fungus which causes the disease is called Hymenoscyphus fraxineus (H. fraxineus).
Rapidly spread by microscopic spores which are produced by the fruiting bodies of the fungus, and can be blown for miles on the wind, ash dieback can be found in most regions of the UK with up to 85 percent mortality rates.
Killing tree of all ages, ash dieback can be recognised by symptoms such as:
- Dying shoots and leaves are visible in summer.
- New growth appears from previously dormant buds.
- Foliage that wilts, turns black and falls prematurely.
- The formation of diamond shaped, dark brown lesions where limbs meet the trunk.
- Leaves with dark patches that develop during the summertime.
Even ash trees that are able to fight the disease, are attacked year-on-year and sooner or later succumb and perish. There is not yet any cure for chalara ash dieback, and as it is a disease that is airborne, no clear way to stop it spreading.
Although the "Tree Alert Service" provided by the Forestry Commission is presently only interested in cases reported in new areas where the disease hasn't previously been documented, if you are concerned about an ash tree on your property in Leicester, you should contact a local tree surgeon to verify the diagnosis and suggest an effective plan of action.
(Tags: Identifying Ash Dieback, Ash Dieback Signs, Chalara Ash Dieback Leicester).Safety
The health and safety issue is one of the key challenges when you're doing tree surgery, because if carried out incorrectly it can definitely be a risky and dangerous procedure. There are a great many things that can go amiss if the so called tradespeople doing the project are incapable or inexperienced. Some of the most commonplace situations are not roping off the work area to safeguard vehicles and the public, inadequate head protection, no protection from falling, in the form of harnesses, platforms and ropes, not wearing eyesight or hearing protection, failure to wear cut resistant clothing (particularly boots and leggings) and falling branches and timber. Due to this sort of incompetence, potentially in danger are the tree surgeon himself (up the tree), parked and passing vehicles, the tree itself, the groundsman, the building connected to the property, the home owners, the street facilities, pedestrians, fences and garden features.
Air-Spading Leicester
There are a number of problems that could make the health of your trees a concern, but issues with the root system are frequently the cause. An experienced Leicester tree surgeon may need to gain access to the root system of your tree, to be able to check for issues such as root rot or soil compaction.
Because there is a high probability of inflicting damage on the roots during the digging process, until recently this was a tricky thing to achieve. The method that many contemporary tree surgeons use is called "air spading", where compressed air is employed to efficiently break up and clear away compacted soil without damaging tree roots or utility lines.
When the soil surrounding a tree becomes compacted by building work, foot traffic or passing vehicles, the health of the tree can be negatively impacted. A tree can become "stressed" due to a lack of water and nutrients, which renders it more prone to attacks by disease, insects and pests. There can also be problems with root flare, where the flare at the base of the stem becomes covered with too much soil, causing tissue breakdown, and heightening the chances of root rot. Air-spading is useful for correcting this.
Directing air into the soil at speeds of up to twelve hundred miles per hour, the air-spading process necessitates the use of an air-spade and an air compressor which forces air into spaces in the soil, causing it to break down rapidly, but not damaging harming the tree roots or utilities. All the soil is blown away from the roots by the highly powerful air flow, meaning that immediate inspection and investigation can take place. Problems can then be remedied and the soil replaced with a looser layer of chip mulch and fertiliser to rejuvenate the tree.
Crown Thinning Leicester
The removing of a number of the lesser branches towards the outer crown of a tree to develop a density of leaves that's consistent all over without changing the size or shape of the tree, is called crown thinning. This specific tree work is often only performed on trees with broad leves (Rather than conifers) and is to minimize the tree's wind resistance, to lower the stress upon particular branches caused by ice, gravity, snow, or wind, to decrease the total weight of the crown of the tree, to reduce the chance of the tree being uprooted when it is windy or to let more light throughout. The overall size and form of the tree should not be changed by crown thinning, and should just produce a uniform foliage thickness encircling equally spaced branches.
Removal of Tree Stumps Leicester
After getting a sizeable tree removed in Leicester, you'll likely be left with one further issue - what to do with the tree stump. You may be contemplating using the tree stump as a quirky garden seat for instance, and might be quite happy to leave it in situ until it eventually rots away. However, stumps left in your garden can be trip hazards, can attract unwanted pests, and can even send out "suckers" in an effort to regrow.
There are several ways that you can remove a tree stump, if you determine that this is the best thing to do, though the 2 key options are stump grinding and stump removal. In the following paragraphs we will be considering the stump removal option rather than grinding.
There are basically three techniques for removing a tree stump - digging out by hand, burning and chemical treatment. If your intention is to carry out the tree stump removal on your own, any one of these solutions could be an option. Professional tree surgeons will usually go with the previously mentioned stump grinding solution, but might suggest a chemical treatment such as eco-plugging.
Hand Stump Digging: Digging by hand is rather straightforward and involves digging down, cutting all the roots, and releasing the stump. You might need to use a cable ratchet winch for the final lifting out of the tree stump. This is hard work and not for the faint-hearted or unfit.
Chemical Stump Treatments: If you decide on the chemical stump removal solution, this will involve the use of Vitax SBK Stump Killer, Resolva Xtra Tough Tree Stump Killer or Roundup Tree Stump Remover. When applying these you should always closely follow the directions, as such chemicals can be incredibly toxic. Depending on the size of your stump, and if it is dead or alive at the time of treatment, it can take a few weeks or maybe even months for a stump to break down totally, so consider this to be as a long term fix. As soon as it's well rotted, it can be chopped small with an axe and dug out with a shovel.
Stump Burning: Burning a stump is not normally a recommended course of action, and may conflict with local legislation, so take care if using this approach. Several one inch holes will have to be drilled into the tree stump, and for a few days regularly topped up with vegetable oil. Charcoal is then stacked around the tree stump and lit. But, this should be constantly monitored and never left to its own devices. Once the stump has finished burning, ensure that the fire is completely extinguished, allow it to cool down and then proceed to dig out the roots and remnants of stump.
Other methods include scooping out and clearing away all the soil from below the stump, and building a fire in the hollowed-out void that has been established. If the tree stump is near to other trees, buildings or fences, you should never use any of the stump burning methods.
(Tags: Removal of Tree Stumps Leicester, Stump Removal Methods Leicester, Tree Stump Removal Leicester, Removing Tree Stumps Leicester).Tree Surgery Tasks Leicester
Leicester tree surgeons can generally help you with crown raising Leicester, crown cleaning, commercial tree surgery, woodland management, brush cutting, tree lightening protection Leicester, tree planning, coppicing, tree watering Leicester, stump removal, landscaping, shrub maintenance, tree care, hazard assessments, decompaction in Leicester, tree topping, waste removal Leicester, crown thinning in Leicester, stump grinding in Leicester, arboriculture, retrenchment pruning, dead-wooding Leicester, crown reduction, air spading, root flare exposure, tree maintenance, root grinding, damage restoration, domestic tree surgery, tree reduction and other tree surgeon services in Leicester, Leicestershire. Listed are just a small portion of the activities that are conducted by a local tree surgeon. Leicester professionals will be happy to inform you of their full range of services.
Tree Surgeons Nearby
Also find: Belgrave tree surgeon, Keyham tree surgeon, Botcheston tree surgeon, Evington tree surgeon, Spinney Hills tree surgeon, Beeby tree surgeon, Humberstone tree surgeon, Clarendon Park tree surgeon, Ingarsby tree surgeon, South Croxton tree surgeon, Birstall tree surgeon, Knighton tree surgeon, Dane Hills tree surgeon, Beaumont Leys tree surgeon, Barkby Thorpe tree surgeon and more. Almost all of these towns and areas are serviced by local tree surgeons. Home and business owners in the area can obtain tree surgery quotations by clicking here.
Tree Care Services Leicester
- Leicester Stump Treatment
- Leicester Shrub Maintenance
- Leicester Tree Management
- Leicester Hedge Reduction
- Leicester Tree Pruning
- Leicester Woodland Management
- Leicester Dead Wooding
- Leicester Crown Lifting
- Leicester Crown Raising
- Leicester Stump Removal
- Leicester Tree Removal
- Leicester Hedge Cutting
- Leicester Soil Terraventing
- Leicester Woodland Clearances
Tree Surgeon Jobs Leicester: Find Leicester tree surgeon jobs here: Leicester Tree Surgeon Jobs
To read local info on Leicester, Leicestershire check here
Tree Surgery LE1 area, and dialling code 0116.
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