Tree Surgeon London

People in London who try to do tree work by themselves, or by using an unqualified operative may well risk causing damage to the trees, to property and to life. However, tree work is not a safe occupation, even for skilled tree surgeons, who know about all the hazards. Within the profession there are a startling average of one hundred and forty serious injuries and three deaths each year, making tree surgery among the most hazardous jobs in Britain.

There's also a threat to life from neglected or damaged trees in London, since around five people per year are fatally wounded in the UK by falling trees and branches. You may well be liable to third-party compensation claims as a consequence of your actions, if you employ someone to conduct tree work and subsequently an injury, or damage to property occurs. These are just some of the reasons why hiring an experienced London tree surgeon to do the work on your trees is vitally important. (Source - HSE).

CHOOSING A TREE SURGEON IN LONDON - There are 2 principal professional trade bodies, one or both of which a certified London tree surgeon should be a member of. You can view the membership and professional status of any London tree surgeon on the websites of either the AA (Arboricultural Association) or the ISA (International Society of Arboriculture). On this website you can check out membership of either of these 2 organisations, which gives the tree surgeon in question, recognised Approved ARB Contractor status.

You can get hold of these trade organisations for mediation and for advice and help, if a problem springs up at any point during the work, or after it has been carried out.

If a tree surgeon offers to provide you with a quote for any tree work and they aren't on this directory, you should courteously decline their offer and find an approved contractor. Once their professional qualifications and associations have been carefully checked, you should try and get a minimum of three estimates from different companies in and around London. You should ask the following questions while getting the quotes, expressing that you need them to provide the answers because of the risks involved in tree work:

• Would I be able to to contact somebody you have recently worked for, so that I can inspect your workmanship? It's always advisable to carry out an independent examination of recently accomplished work.
• How much insurance cover do you provide? As stated by the AA and ISA, your tree surgeon ought to be able to show you an insurance certificate covering a minimum of five million pounds public liability.
• Have you got a NPTC/LANTRA certificate for the use of a chainsaw, and documentary evidence of your qualifications and professional memberships? It's required by law that any tree surgeon/operative who uses a chainsaw must have gained NPTC/LANTRA certification. A certified tree surgeon in London will probably hold City and Guilds Diplomas and Certificates in Arboriculture.
• Can you provide me with a written quotation? You should NEVER accept a verbal quote only. Only ever accept a written quote.

Clear and precise details about all the tree work that's to be undertaken must be included on the written quote. It should indicate who is responsible for the removal of waste, tree branches and stumps, and should also include specifics of any trees which may be protected in law, and the steps needed to get permission to work on them. You should also make certain VAT has been included on the quotation unless you are a commercial entity. It is vitally important to understand that you've got a responsibility to hire only competent people to work on your property and trees. This is stated by the "Common law duty of care responsibilities under the Occupier's Liability Acts of 1957 and 1984."

PRIOR TO WORK COMMENCING - The tree surgeon that you've selected in London, will look into whether any of the trees on your property are subject to a a TPO (tree protection order), and will check with the local authority if the green light for any work is forthcoming. Even protected trees require maintenance so as to cut back old or damaged wood and ensure public safety, so finding a tree has protected status does not imply that work can't still be carried out.

If your property in London is within a designated conservation area then a minimum of 6 weeks written notice is required to the Local Planning Authority (LPA) before any tree work can be conducted. However, tree stems of under 7.5 centimetres in diameter when measured at 1.5m from the ground are exempt from this requirement. Also, if a protected tree's branches need to be pruned or thinned in order to sustain and promote growth, written notice will not be necessary.

After fully assessing the health of the trees on your property, your chosen London tree surgeon will decide on the necessary treatments and how the best outcome can be safely accomplished. Where there's any chance of falling debris and branches, a risk assessment will have to be carried out on public spaces, your property, and sections of a neighbour's property that could be impacted. At this stage, the level of protection needed and the amount of workforce required will also be determined. To keep the public and other property safe from harm or damage, this will include both PPE (personal protective equipment) and other safety measures.

ON THE DAY OF WORK - Barriers, cones and safety measures will be put in place before any cutting of branches, climbing or tree felling commences, to keep unauthorised persons away from the area where work is going on. It may at some point be necessary to stop the traffic momentarily, if there is any risk of debris falling onto the road.

Different kinds of tree work will require the tree surgeon to have different degrees of protection. When doing basic tree work with a chainsaw, to prevent serious cutting injuries to the hands, legs and torso, they will at the very least be wearing protective clothing. All workers involved in the operation must wear eye and head protection, and high visibility clothing, at all times.

Additional staff will usually be needed to help in the safe removal of high branches and sections of tree trunk, particularly if working at height is involved, and where safety climbing equipment and ladders are being deployed. For the removal of waste, unhindered access to the site will be necessary. Therefore, it's a good idea to inform your neighbours, because a truck or skip will need to be stationed as close to the work area as possible while the work proceeds.

UPON COMPLETION OF WORK - The whole area can be cleared of any debris, and all the branches and waste can be taken away, after all the work has been completed. A certificate of work should then be put together by your tree surgeon, especially in the case of any protected trees, which will be signed off and a copy presented to you. If any public areas required safety measures, this protection will be taken away and pathways and roads will be re-opened.

If you have any complaints about or issues with the work, you should get them fixed straight away by first of all speaking to your tree surgeon. If any further arbitration is required, and your tree surgeon is a registered member of a professional body, you can receive advice and help from the ISA or AA so as to arrive at an acceptable solution.

Locally based London tree surgery services are most likely have the telephone dialling code 020 and the postcode SW1. They'll operate in London itself, in addition to nearby areas such as Havering, Barnet, Camden, Bromley, Greenwich, Hackney, Brent, Waltham Forest, Hounslow, Kingston upon Thames, Southwark, Bexley, Haringey, Islington, Croydon, and these postcodes: NW1 5GJ, NW1 5EL, NW1 5AB, NW1 5HE, NW1 4LJ, NW1 4QB, EC4Y 1BB, NW1 5HD, NW1 5EZ, NW1 4QU.

If you require this type of assistance it's unquestionably best to employ a trusted local tree surgeon. London householders can benefit from the expertise and know-how that are the trademark of a fully trained professional.

Firewood and Logs London

Of course, you might need a tree surgeon for a totally different reason, because they can be a great source for firewood or logs in London. As tree surgeons spend a good deal or their time chopping down trees and branches, I guess this is no great surprise.

If you're lucky, you may find a tree surgeon in London who gives branches and logs away free to collectors, these will usually be "green" and in need of drying out. Others will sell off their logs by the tonne or in bags, and these will usually be fully seasoned and dried logs, that are ready to burn right away.

Putting "wet" logs on your open fire or wood burner isn't a good idea, and will create a lot of smoke and clog up your flue. You should only use logs which have been left to dry for a minimum of twelve months and have a moisture level of 20 percent or lower. The advantage of getting logs from tree surgeons, is that these are most likely to be assorted hardwood logs, which will last and throw out heat for three or four hours, and give a sustained burn. The drawback of hardwood is that it can be quite challenging to get going, so if you are able to acquire a few softwood logs, these are fantastic for initially getting your fire burning.

Air-Spading London

There are a number of issues that can have an impact on the overall health of trees in your garden, and the root system is one of the places to look whenever you have cause for concern. A professional London tree surgeon might need to get at the root system of your tree, so as to check for issues such as soil compaction or root rot.

This was sometimes a difficult thing to achieve until recently, because in the digging down process, the roots could be easily damaged. A method called "air spading" is employed by many modern day tree surgeons in London, and this allows compacted soil to be broken down and cleared away by means of compressed air, which does not cause any damage to the tree's root system or buried utilities.

The general health of a tree can be badly affected when the soil surrounding the roots becomes compacted by passing vehicles, building work or heavy foot traffic. A tree can become "stressed" when it does not get adequate nutrients and water, which renders it more vulnerable to attacks by disease, pests and insects. Root flare problems can also be corrected with air-spading, and this is when the flare at the base of the stem gets covered with an excess of soil, increasing the possibility of root rot by causing it's tissues to break down.

Involving the use of an air compressor and an air-spade tool, the air-spading process blows high-speed air into the soil, this breaks it up by penetrating any voids present in the soil, but has no effect on the tree roots or nearby utilities. Immediate inspection can take place, as the powerful flow of air blows the soil away from the roots. A solution can then be implemented for any any obvious problems, and the previously compact soil replaced with a looser layer of chip mulch and fertiliser to help rejuvenate the tree. (Tags: Air-Spading London, Air-Spade Investigations London, Air-Spade London).

Crown Thinning London

So as to reduce the stress put on specific limbs resulting from gravity, snow, wind, or ice, to prevent the tree from being uprooted in blustery weather conditions, to reduce the tree's wind resistance, to let more light inside or to decrease the weight of the crown of the tree, some of the smallest branches that grow inside the outer crown of a broad leafed (Rather than conifer) tree are pruned in a procedure which is known as crown thinning. The overall dimensions and shape of your tree are not altered by this, and the probability is that it'll need to be done on a regular schedule, as shoots continue to sprout. Crown thinning is not supposed to alter the overall shape and size of the tree, but should establish a uniform thickness of foliage around consistently distributed limbs. (Tags: Tree Crown Thinning London, Crown Thinning London, Crown Thin London)

Wood Chipping London

Most London tree surgeons will utilise wood chipping machinery to process the smaller branches and limbs that are generated by their work. These impressive wood chipping systems can gobble up as much as forty tonnes of material per hour, depending on what equipment is being used, however the smaller, more commonly used models will process nearer to five tonnes per hour.

In addition to providing a handy material that can be used for a number of purposes including; wood pulp, landscaping, ecosystem restoration, mulch in gardening, biomass fuel, garden pathways, cultivating mushrooms and weed prevention, chopping down waste material in this way makes it much easier to transport.

The majority of London tree surgeons will be prepared to let you have the wood chips that have been produced during your tree work, if you've got a use that you want to put them to, if not they'll generally take them away to use on other landscaping projects. Even when you don't require any tree surgery to be done on a property in London, tree surgeons are a good source for wood chippings that you can use for various purposes throughout your garden. Wood chips are quite often available from tree surgeons free of charge, although if you need to have them delivered there may be a fee.

Popular brands of wood chipping machines include Timberwolf, Forst, Forest Master and T-Mech.

Health and Safety Considerations

The health and safety aspect is one of the primary concerns when you're doing tree surgery, as if conducted incorrectly it can certainly be an extremely dangerous procedure. Inexperienced or untrained "tree surgeons" in London are liable to cut corners and ignore recognised safety guidelines, meaning that there could be inadequate head protection, not roping off the area to protect the public and vehicles, no fall protection, in the shape of ropes, harnesses and platforms, not using eye or hearing protection, falling branches and timber and failing to put on cut-proof (chainsaw resistant) clothing (particularly boots and leggings). Vulnerable owing to this form of incompetence are vehicles, facilities on the street, the tree itself, nearby buildings, the home owners, the groundsman, the tree surgeon (person up the tree), passing pedestrians, fences and garden features.

Conservation Areas & Tree Preservation Orders London

Before you do any major work on your trees in London, you must make certain that none of them have TPO's (Tree Preservation Orders) You must check with your local authority to ensure that none of the trees on your property are subject to Tree Preservation Orders. If there are TPOs on one or more of your trees, you will need local authority permission (in writing) to undertake any of the following: lopping, cutting down, topping, uprooting, wilful damage, removal or wilful destruction. Speak to your tree surgeon about this if you have any concerns - they will be able to check this out for you.

Also, if you plan to perform any work on a tree with a diameter of 75 millimetres or more, and you live in a conservation area in London, you must give your local council at least 6 weeks written notice of the work.

Tree Cable Bracing London

A method that is used to support a tree when it has signs of damage or decay or is a risk to nearby persons or property, cable bracing can be extremely beneficial in specific circumstances. When older or specimen trees in London are involved, cable bracing is generally used where it's undesirable to chop down a tree or remove large portions that are unstable.

A cable bracing system can be implemented for supporting poor joints, V-shaped forks and weak tree limbs. To help mitigate structural tension and extend the lifespan of old and valued trees most London tree surgeons should be able to conduct various forms of bracing work by the installation of cables and rods.

A non-invasive technique, that doesn't damage the tree by drilling and bolting the troublesome branches, cable bracing provides both flexible and shock-absorbing support. Before any actual work can proceed, a thorough risk risk assessment must be done to guarantee the safety of the tree and encircling areas. (Tags: Cable Bracing Techniques London, Tree Cable Bracing London, Cable Bracing Trees London, Cable Bracing London).

Tree Surveys London

Tree surveys might be needed for a number of reasons, but most often when development or property extension is concerned. If you are clearing some land to make way for an extension to an existing property or a brand new home in London, for example, you will need to carry out a professional tree survey to BS5837 British Standards if there are trees on that land. Tree surveys in London must be performed by an accredited tree surgeon or arborist, and this applies whether the tree survey is being undertaken on either a public or private property.

For a specified area, a whole bunch of information will be gleaned about all of the trees within it. For example:

• The height of each tree.
• The diameter of each tree (measured 1.5m above ground level).
• The allocation of a unique reference number for each of the trees.
• Preliminary tree management guidelines.
• The species of each tree (either common or scientific).
• The spread of branches to the North, South, East and West.
• The ages of the trees (i.e. young, semi-mature, mature, over-mature and veteran).
• The existence of any TPOs.
• The predicted life expectancy of the trees.
• The structural and physiological health of the trees.
• The number of trees.

If you happen to be doing work on an existing property in London, and are not shifting the service lines or access points, or increasing the footprint of the building, you probably won't need to do a tree survey.

Skills Required by a Tree Surgeon in London

• Physical skills such as coordination and movement.
• Have necessary computer skills and know how to carry out basic tasks on handheld devices.
• Be able to work with your hands.
• Have a good understanding of public safety and security.
• Have the ability to work efficiently with other people.
• Good customer skills.
• Be professional and capable of completing tasks within a set timeframe.
• Have patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful circumstances.
• To be methodical and pay close attention to detail.
• Be mindful of the complexities and dangers involved in all aspects of tree work.
• Have the ability to use, repair and maintain tools and equipment.

Tree Surgery Tasks London

London tree surgeons will likely help you with tree maintenance London, residential tree surgery, tree bracing London, tree transplanting, tree watering, tree surveys in London, tree reduction, commercial tree surgery, damaged tree cutting and removal in London, hedge reduction in London, landscaping London, tree topping, tree dismantling, hedge laying, cable bracing, tree management in London, tree planning London, woodchipping, root grinding, stump removal in London, brush cutting services London, crown cleaning, crown raising, hedge cutting in London, root flare exposure London, the protection of trees from grazing, site clearance London, woodland clearances, crown thinning, pest management London and other tree surgeon services in London, Greater London. Listed are just a few of the activities that are performed by a local tree surgeon. London professionals will inform you of their whole range of services.

Tree Surgeons Nearby

Also find: St James's tree surgeon, Mayfair tree surgeon, Waterloo tree surgeon, Shepherds Bush tree surgeon, Brent tree surgeon, Hackney tree surgeon, Islington tree surgeon, Covent Garden tree surgeon, Victoria tree surgeon, Havering tree surgeon, Southwark tree surgeon, Vauxhall tree surgeon, Waltham Forest tree surgeon, Whitehall tree surgeon, Camden tree surgeon, Haringey tree surgeon, Pimlico tree surgeon, Kensington tree surgeon, Knightsbridge tree surgeon, Churchill Gardens tree surgeon, Belgravia tree surgeon and more. Almost all of these places are serviced by tree surgeons. Home and business owners in the region can acquire tree surgery quotations by going here.

Tree Care Services London

Find a Tree Surgeon in London Here

• London Air-Spading
• London Tree Reduction
• London Crown Cleaning
• London Wood Chipping
• London Tree Management
• London Tree Felling
• London Tree Care
• London Tree Pruning
• London Root Grinding
• London Site Clearance
• London Crown Removal
• London Woodland Management
• London Woodland Clearances
• London Eco-Plugging

Tree Surgeon Jobs London: Find London tree surgeon jobs here: Tree Surgeon Jobs London

To find out local information relating to London, Greater London go here

Tree Surgery SW1 area, (dialling code 020).

Vegetation Control London Greater London - Tree Surgery London - 020 - Tree Surgeon London - Tree Removal London - Woodland Management London - Tree Care London - Tree Management London - Crown Lifting London