Perth Tree Surgeon Scotland: Adding substance, structure and style to what can oftentimes be a two dimensional area, trees are an important feature of gardens and properties in Perth. This is fine and dandy, but when trees are diseased, poorly maintained, or affected by severe weather conditions, for instance flooding or high winds, problems can develop which will need to be sorted. The safest option if there is work that needs undertaking on your trees, is to consult a professional tree surgeon in Perth.
Employing unqualified individuals for tree work or trying to do the work by yourself, could harm your trees, cause damage to property, or even lead to injury or death. However, even for experienced tree surgeons who are aware of all the dangers, tree work is not entirely safe. Within the industry there are a thought provoking average of one hundred and forty serious injuries and three deaths each year, making it among the most hazardous jobs in the United Kingdom.
A neglected or damaged tree can also cause a threat to life, with around 5 people annually being tragically killed by falling trees and branches in the UK. If you bring in someone to do tree work and property is damaged, or an injury occurs, you may well be liable for any compensation to any third-party. The above are merely a few of the reasons why retaining the services of an accredited Perth tree surgeon to work on your trees is important. (All figures are from HSE UK).
SELECTING A TREE SURGEON IN PERTH - A decent Perth tree surgeon will likely be a signed up member of one or both of the 2 principal trade bodies. The websites of both the Arboricultural Association (AA) and the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) allow you to view the professional standing and membership of any tree surgeon in Perth. To find out if any particular local tree surgeon has Approved ARB Contractor status and has membership of either of these two bodies, you can check on this website.
You are able to communicate with these professional associations for mediation assistance and for advice and help, if an issue arises at any stage during the tree work, or after it has been carried out.
You should politely decline the offer of a price quote from anybody who you cannot find on this directory, and continue your search for a fully qualified and approved contractor. You should try and get at least three quotations from different companies in the Perth area when you have reassured yourself of their qualifications and professional associations. There are various crucial questions that you should ask whilst you're gathering these quotations, and due to the risks involved in tree work, you must make it crystal clear that you need them to provide the answers. You should for instance ask:
- Do you offer quotations in writing? Verbal quotes alone aren't satisfactory. Always try to get a written quote.
- Could I contact some past clients to check the standard of your work? It is recommended that you carry out an independent examination of any recent work.
- Have you got documents to demonstrate that you've got the correct qualifications, membership of the AA or ISA, and also a certificate for chainsaw use from the NPTC? The NPTC/LANTRA certificate is required by law for any tree surgeon/worker who uses a chainsaw. A seasoned Perth tree surgeon will probably hold City & Guilds Certificates and Diplomas in Arboriculture.
- Precisely what is your level of insurance cover? You should not consider a tree surgeon in Perth with less than five million pounds public liability insurance as stipulated by the AA and ISA.
Clear and precise details about all the tree work that's being undertaken must be included on the written quotation. Who is responsible for the removal of tree branches, stumps and waste should be stated, as should details about any trees which may be protected, and the steps required to obtain permission to carry out work on them. Unless you are a commercial entity, you should also make certain that VAT has been included on the quote. It's very important to understand that you have a responsibility to hire only capable people to work on your property and trees. This is laid out by the "Common law duty of care responsibilities and sometimes liabilities under the Occupier's Liability Acts of 1957 and 1984."
PRIOR TO WORK - The tree surgeon that you have selected in Perth, will look into whether any of the trees on your property are subject to a TPO, and will consult with the local authority to find out if the go-ahead for any tree surgery is possible. Even protected trees require maintenance so as to cut back dead or damaged wood and ensure the safety of the public, so discovering that a tree has protected status doesn't imply that work can't be carried out.
If your property in Perth is inside a conservation area then at least 6 weeks written notice must be given to the Local Planning Authority before any tree work can be performed. This is only applicable to trees with a trunk diameter of over 7.5cm in diameter, at a point 1.5m from ground level. Written notice is also not required if pruning or thinning of a protected tree's branches is essential to sustain and encourage growth.
Your chosen Perth tree surgeon will determine the necessary remedial treatment and how best to achieve the required outcome in a safe manner after conducting a thorough assessment of your trees health. Your property, public areas and any sections of a neighbour's property that could be impacted by falling debris will all be given a full risk assessment. The number of operatives required and the level of protection needed, will also be determined at this point. This is both personal protective equipment (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 tree felling, climbing or cutting of branches is started, to keep unauthorised persons and passers-by away from the work area. It may at some point be necessary to halt the traffic momentarily, if there is any danger of debris falling onto the road.
Different degrees of protection will be necessary for the tree surgeon according to what tree work needs to be completed. At the very least when doing chainsaw work they'll be wearing special protective clothing to prevent cutting injuries to the torso, legs and hands. Eye and head protection, and hi-vis clothing, must be worn by all operatives involved in the work.
Extra operatives will normally be required to help in the safe removal of high branches and pieces of tree trunk, particularly if any working at height is involved, and where ladders and associated climbing equipment is being used. It's a good idea to inform your next door neighbours of the need for easy access, since a skip or pick up truck for removing the waste will be parked as close to the work area as possible.
UPON COMPLETION OF WORK - All of the waste and branches will be taken away and the whole area cleared of all debris, when all the tree work has been completed. Particularly where the trees are under a protection order, a certificate of work done should then be created by your tree surgeon, which will be signed off and a copy handed to you. Any safety measures that were put in public spaces can then be taken away, with paths and roads being re-opened to the public.
If you've got any complaints about the work, you should get them rectified straight away by firstly speaking to your tree surgeon. If your tree surgeon is a signed up member of a professional body, and any further arbitration is required, you can obtain advice and help from the International Society of Arboriculture or the Arboricultural Association so as to reach a satisfactory conclusion.
Locally based Perth tree surgeons will most likely have the phone code 01738 and the postcode PH1. They'll operate in Perth itself, along with nearby areas like Gannochy, Forgandenny, Rhynd, Inveralmond, Scone, Kintillo, Craigend, Muirton, Letham, Ruthvenfield, Almondbank, Bridgend, Old Scone, Elcho, Craigie, Tibbermore, Luncarty, Lethendy, and these postcodes: PH1 1EU, PH1 1LR, PH1 1HW, PH1 1DJ, PH1 1EP, PH1 1NQ, PH1 1SJ, PH1 1RQ, PH1 1DQ, PH1 1PP.
If you need this sort of service it is definitely a good idea to use a reputable local tree surgeon. Perth residents can benefit from the skills and dexterity offered by a fully trained professional.
Tree Pollarding Perth
Pollarding is by and large conducted for reasons of health and safety, and is a procedure that's used for greatly minimising a tree's overall size when it's got too big for its location. This tactic is also on occasion employed for aesthetic reasons to mould a tree into an especially appealing form or shape. It is quite often witnessed on trees that serve as borders or hedgerows, as well as trees that grow alongside streets in Perth. For people who love trees this is not a particularly popular procedure, seeing as the consequence tends to be rather bare and stark, with the appearance of being practically lifeless. The advantageous element of pollarding, is that trees which may otherwise have to be chopped down can be saved in-situ. Pollarding is typically done on broad-leafed tree species like limes, oaks, sycamores, maples, horse chestnuts, planes and beeches. (Tags: Tree Pollarding Perth, Tree Pruning Perth, Pollarding Perth)
The Use of Chainsaws
The most common tool that experienced tree surgeons in Perth use is the chainsaw. It's a versatile and effective tool, but in the wrong hands, also a dangerous one. Petrol powered chainsaws are the most preferred by tree care professionals, due to their ease of use and greater portability, although mains versions can be purchased, as can battery operated chainsaws which have grown more popular for some processes. Where large trunks and thick branches are involved, such substantial tree work demands the use of the most robust and powerful petrol driven chainsaws.
Basically, a chainsaw consists of a rotating motor-driven chain which has a set of teeth for slicing through bark and wood. For the different tasks they perform, there are various types of chainsaw, top-handled for working at height (and which can be operated with one hand if necessary), pole saws for long distance pruning and hard to reach branches and rear-handled for work at ground level (must be used with two hands).
Although carrying a rapidly twirling blade while precariously balancing up a tree is certainly not the safest job on the planet, it's rare to find a professional Perth tree surgeon who doesn't use a chainsaw in their everyday work. All tree surgeons have to be trained in the safe use of chainsaws, and it's one of the main conditions for gaining membership of the Arboricultural Association (AA).
There are countless different brands of chainsaw, but the most popular ones used by tree surgery specialists in the UK are Husqvarna, Makita, Hyundai and Stihl.
Wood Chipping Perth
The majority of Perth tree surgeons will use wood chipping machinery to chop up the smaller branches and limbs that result from their work. Although it largely depends on the equipment that is being used, these impressive wood chipping systems can munch up as much as forty tonnes of material each hour, and even the smaller, more commonly used models can process around 5 tons per hour, or basically as much as you are able to feed in.
In addition to providing a valuable material that can be put to a number of uses including; wood pulp, garden walkways, cultivating mushrooms, landscaping, weed prevention, ecosystem restoration, mulch in gardening and biomass solid fuel, chipping down timber in this way makes it far easier to transport.
If you've got a use for the wood chippings which have been produced during your tree surgery assignment, most tree surgeons in Perth will be delighted to let you have however much you want, and they will take away the rest to use in other locations, or dispose of as they see fit. As I'm sure you'll have realised by reading this article, tree surgeons are the best source for wood chips that you can use for various purposes in your garden in Perth, whether or not you actually need tree surgery. Wood chippings are quite often available from tree surgeons free of charge, although if you need to have them delivered there will probably be a fee.
Forst, Forest Master, Timberwolf and T-Mech, are among the most popular brands of wood chipping equipment. (Tags: Wood Chipping Services Perth, Wood Chips Perth, Wood Chipping Equipment Perth, Wood Chipping Perth).
Accidents Through Tree Surgery
As has been already mentioned on this page, the work that is tackled by tree care professionals in Perth can be very dangerous. With a high risk of injury to both operatives and passers-by, all possible precautions should be implemented when carrying out work on trees.
As reported by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the vast majority of serious and fatal injuries are related to falls from trees, the use of chainsaws, and being hit by a falling tree or branch. Surprisingly, arborists involved in tree care work are more at risk of injuring themselves seriously than those working in construction.
The most commonplace tree work accidents are lifting injuries, being struck by objects (trees, grapple hooks, ropes, branches, cranes etc) and slipping from ladders, when it comes to insurance claims.
That is why hiring a professional Perth tree surgeon is so vital when you have tree work that needs doing. The majority of accidents that happen in the tree care sector can be attributed to inexperienced workers trying to carry out tasks that they aren't fully trained in. Therefore, to avoid this sort of issue, always try to use a reputable and experienced company that's been operating in the Perth area for a good few years.
Tree Stump Removal Perth
After having a sizeable tree chopped down and removed in Perth, you will be left with one more problem - the stump. Now, in certain circumstances you may be quite happy to leave the tree stump in place and allow it to rot and break down naturally. However, tree stumps left in your garden can attract harmful pests, be a trip hazard, and can even produce suckers in an effort to regrow.
There are various methods for getting rid of a stump once and for all, but stump grinding or stump removal are the two key choices. For the purposes of this section we will be looking at stump removal in Perth rather than grinding.
Chemical treatment, digging out by hand or burning, are the three main techniques for getting rid of a tree stump. If you are intending to remove a tree stump on your own, the use of any of these approaches could be possible. If you are hiring a tree surgeon in Perth, they will usually plump for the previously mentioned stump grinding solution.
Hand Stump Digging: Digging out a stump by hand calls for an assortment of tools such as a pointed shovel, a chainsaw, loppers and a handsaw. It involves digging down to uncover the roots, chopping the roots with loppers or a saw, and finally releasing the stump, to make it easier to get out. For the final freeing up process you might find that you need to use a cable ratchet winch. This is laborious and exhausting work.
Chemical Stump Killers: A strong chemical like Roundup Tree Stump Remover, Resolva Xtra Tough Tree Stump Killer or Vitax SBK Stump Killer, will be required if you decide to proceed down the chemical treatment route. It's important that you follow the instructions closely when utilising any of these chemical substances, as they can be toxic and dangerous. The tree stump will take a few weeks to rot and can then be removed with a spade and axe.
Burning Tree Stumps: Be careful if you use this technique for stump removal, as it can be quite dangerous and might be at variance with local legislation. Several one inch holes will need to be drilled into the tree stump, and for a few days regularly topped up with vegetable oil. You can then cover the tree stump with charcoal or logs and set it alight. You will need to supervise this constantly until the fire has died out. Ensure that the fire is extinguished when it's completely burned out. You will be able to dig out the stump debris and roots after it has completely cooled off.
This is not the only way to burn a tree stump, you could also try digging out all the soil from beneath the stump and building a fire in the space which has been created underneath. There are of course a number of circumstances where burning is not suitable, for instance when there are fences, a building or other trees near to the stump being removed.
Crown Thinning Perth
Because it helps to minimize the wind resistance of the tree, to prevent the tree from being uprooted when it is windy, to lessen the stress upon specific limbs as a consequence of ice, wind, gravity, or snow, to let more light throughout or to lower the total weight of the crown of the tree, most of the small branches that are growing at the outer crown of a broad leafed tree are trimmed in a process which is known as crown thinning. The size and shape aren't changed by this process, and it is likely it will need to be done on a fairly regular basis, as shoots constantly sprout. A uniform density of foliage encompassing equally spread out branches ought to be the arborist's goal when crown thinning, it shouldn't change the all round size and structure of the tree. (Tags: Crown Thinning Perth, Crown Thin Perth, Tree Crown Thinning Perth)
Cable Bracing Perth
In specific situations where a tree is showing signs of damage, decay, or is a hazard to nearby property or persons, a technique called cable bracing can be used to provide support for the tree. Where it is undesirable to fell a tree or remove large, unstable sections, due to the tree being valuable or old, cable bracing is the ideal solution.
Fitting a cable bracing setup might be an option to add support to the weak limbs, defective joints and V-shaped forks of a vulnerable tree. Through the fitting of rods and cables most tree surgeons in Perth will be able to alleviate structural tension and extend the life of veteran trees using various kinds of bracing work.
Cable bracing does not cause further damage to the tree by drilling and bolting the branches, and provides a shock-absorbing and flexible means of support that is essentially non-invasive. A comprehensive risk risk assessment must be done by an arborist of tree surgeon before any actual work can be undertaken. This is vital to guarantee the safety of the tree and adjoining areas as the project progresses.
Ash Dieback
An infectious fungal disease affecting ash trees, that was first reported in the British Isles in 2012, ash dieback is expected to decimate about eighty percent of the current ash tree stock. Set to have huge repercussions for our beloved countryside, ash dieback is destined to be just as disastrous as the previous outbreak of Dutch Elm Disease (DED).
A disease that affects the Fraxinus genus of trees, it has a particularly devastating effect on Fraxinus excelsior, the common ash that is native to the British Isles. Believed to have originally come from Asia where the native species of ash (the Manchurian ash and the Chinese ash) were more resistant, the fungus which causes the disease is known as Hymenoscyphus fraxineus (H. fraxineus), and it blocks its water transport systems, causing it to die.
Dispersed by wind blown spores which can travel for tens of miles, ash dieback has now spread to most areas of the British Isles.
The obvious symptoms of ash dieback are:
- New epicormic growth appearing from previously dormant buds (common in trees under stress).
- Dark brown lesions form where branches meet the trunk, and the inner bark under the lesions looks brownish grey.
- Dying shoots and leaves are visible in summer.
- Dark patches on leaves during mid to late summer.
- Foliage that wilts, turns black in colour and falls prematurely.
Some ash trees are able to combat early infections, but as the disease returns every year, they ultimately succumb. Because it is an airborne disease there is no apparent strategy for stopping its spread, and no cure for ash dieback.
If you think that you have spotted a tree infected with ash dieback in your garden in Perth, or in the neighbourhood, you could report it to the Forestry Commission's "Tree Alert Service", although the disease is so prevalent throughout Great Britain that they are only really interested to know about cases discovered in locations not affected previously. You should however get in touch with a local tree surgeon, who can offer advice and guidance on how best to proceed.
(Tags: Identifying Ash Dieback, Ash Dieback Symptoms, Ash Dieback Perth).Required Skills for Tree Surgeons in Perth
- Be professional and able to complete work within the set timeframe.
- Good knowledge of public safety measures.
- Have the ability to work well with your hands.
- Be mindful of the complexities and dangers involved with the various aspects of tree work.
- Being able to work efficiently with other people.
- Good customer skills.
- To be thorough and pay attention to detail.
- Have essential computer skills and know how to perform tasks with handheld devices.
- Have the ability to use, maintain and repair tools and machinery.
- Physical skills like coordination and movement.
- Have patience and the ability to remain focused in stressful circumstances.
Tree Surgery Tasks Perth
Perth tree surgeons will likely help with tree reduction Perth, airspading in Perth, woodchipping Perth, drop crotching, tree topping, crown reduction in Perth, site clearance, stump grinding, landscape clearance, hedge planting, waste removal, woodland management, formative pruning in Perth, commercial tree care Perth, arboriculture, damage restoration in Perth, tree cutting Perth, cut sealing, crown lifting Perth, tree pruning in Perth, root pruning in Perth, retrenchment pruning, tree bracing, tree management, dead-wooding in Perth, pollarding, vegetation management, dead wooding Perth, landscaping, tree lopping and other tree surgeon services in Perth, Scotland. These are just a few of the activities that are carried out by a local tree surgeon. Perth companies will be happy to inform you of their whole range of services.
Tree Surgeons Nearby
Also find: Old Scone tree surgeon, Forgandenny tree surgeon, Luncarty tree surgeon, Scone tree surgeon, Craigend tree surgeon, Rhynd tree surgeon, Almondbank tree surgeon, Ruthvenfield tree surgeon, Inveralmond tree surgeon, Muirton tree surgeon, Lethendy tree surgeon, Tibbermore tree surgeon, Craigie tree surgeon, Kintillo tree surgeon, Elcho tree surgeon, Letham tree surgeon, Gannochy tree surgeon and more. Most of these towns and areas are catered for by local tree surgeons. Householders in the area can obtain tree surgery quotations by going here.
Tree Care Services Perth
- Perth Tree Dismantling
- Perth Tree Planning
- Perth Stump Grinding
- Perth Dead Wooding
- Perth Crown Raising
- Perth Tree Management
- Perth Tree Pollarding
- Perth Stump Removal
- Perth Tree Felling
- Perth Crown Reduction
- Perth Tree Maintenance
- Perth Tree Watering
- Perth Arboriculture
- Perth Crown Thinning
To obtain local Perth information click here
Tree Surgery PH1 area, (dialling code 01738).
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