Potters Bar Tree Surgeon Hertfordshire: Trees in your garden and around your property in Potters Bar, add substance, style and structure to what can otherwise be a two dimensional area. But when poorly maintained or damaged by extreme weather conditions, for instance flooding or storms, trees can be a bit of an issue. Seeking the advice of a qualified tree surgeon in Potters Bar, is the safest option when work needs to be done on your trees.
People in Potters Bar who attempt to do tree work themselves, or by using non-qualified individuals might cause a risk of damage to the trees, to property or to life. However, tree work isn't altogether safe for specialist tree surgeons, who are aware of all the dangers involved with it. Within the profession there are an average of 140 severe injuries and 3 deaths annually, making tree surgery one of the most dangerous jobs in the UK.
There is also a threat to life from neglected or damaged trees in Potters Bar, seeing as around 5 people annually are fatally wounded in the United Kingdom by falling trees or branches. If you bring in someone to perform tree work and there is an injury, or damage to property, you could be liable for any compensation to a third-party. These are merely a few of the reasons why employing an experienced Potters Bar tree surgeon to undertake the work on your trees is imperative. (The above figures were sourced from HSE UK).
FINDING A TREE SURGEON IN POTTERS BAR - There are 2 professional bodies that a certified tree surgeon in Potters Bar should really be a registered member of. The professional status and membership of any tree surgeon in Potters Bar can be checked on the websites of both the AA (Arboricultural Association) and the ISA (International Society of Arboriculture). On this website you can check membership of either of these bodies, which gives the tree surgeon in question, Approved ARB Contractor status.
For mediation and for advice and help at any point during or after the work has been concluded, you will be able to speak to either of these professional bodies.
If a tree surgeon who you're unable to find on this directory list offers to give you a quotation, it is recommended that you carry on with your search for a fully qualified and approved contractor, and respectfully decline their offer. As soon as you are reassured of their qualifications and professional associations you should try and get a minimum of three estimates from different companies in the Potters Bar area. There are various vital questions that you need to ask while you are in the process of gathering these quotes, and because of the risks involved in the work, you must tell them that you really need the answers. You should for instance ask:
- Can I contact some past customers so that I can inspect the standard of your tree work? Independently examining any recent work is always advisable.
- Can you offer me a quotation in writing? You must NEVER accept just a verbal quote. Only ever accept a quote in writing.
- Do you have a NPTC certificate for chainsaw use and maintenance, and documentary evidence of your qualifications and professional memberships? The NPTC/LANTRA certificate is required by law for any tree worker who uses a chainsaw. A trained tree surgeon in Potters Bar could hold City and Guilds National Diplomas and Certificates in Arboriculture.
- What level of insurance coverage have you got? As suggested by the AA and ISA, your tree surgeon should be able to show you an insurance certificate covering at the least £5 Million public liability.
Clear and precise details about all the tree work that's being undertaken should be included on the written quotation. It should include details about any trees which may be protected in law, and the steps required to obtain permission to work on them, and also state who is responsible for the removal of waste, tree branches and stumps. You should also ensure VAT has been included on the quotation unless you're a commercial enterprise. Realising that you have a responsibility for hiring only skilled tradespeople to work on your trees and property, is vitally important. This is outlined by the "Common law duty of care responsibilities under the Occupier's Liability Acts of 1957 and 1984."
PRIOR TO WORK BEGINNING - Your preferred Potters Bar tree surgeon should make enquiries into the possibility of any trees being protected in your area and make the necessary steps to make certain that any tree work can get the green light from the local authorities. Finding a tree has protected status does not mean that work cannot be carried out, since even protected trees require maintenance so as to cut back old or dead wood and ensure public safety.
At least six weeks written notice must be given to the Local Planning Authority prior to any work being performed, if your property in Potters Bar is in a designated conservation area. This only applies to trees with a stem diameter of more than 75 millimetres in diameter, at a point 1.5 metres above ground level. Written notice is also not required if thinning or pruning of a protected tree's branches is needed to sustain and promote growth.
On site they will conduct a thorough assessment of your tree's health and decide on the required remedial treatment and how the required outcome can be achieved with safety in mind. Public spaces, your property and any part of a neighbour's property that could be affected by falling debris will all be given a full risk assessment. At this stage, the level of protection required and the number of workers needed will also be established. This will include a number of safety precautions together with personal protective equipment (PPE) to guarantee the safety of the general public and adjacent property.
ON THE DAY OF WORK - To keep unauthorised persons away from the work area, cones, barriers and safety measures should be put in place before any cutting of branches, climbing or tree felling commences. If there is any threat of falling debris into a public road, traffic might have to be temporarily halted.
The tree surgeon will need different levels of protection depending on the type of tree work being done. When carrying out basic work with a chainsaw, to avoid injuring the hands, legs and torso, they will as a bare minimum be wearing specialist protective clothing. Eye and head protection, and high-vis clothing, must be worn by all workers involved in the operation.
Extra workers will normally be needed to assist in the removal of high branches and large sections of tree trunk, particularly if working at height is involved, and where safety climbing equipment and ladders are being used. A skip or lorry for removing the waste will be parked as close as possible to the work area, therefore it's advisable to inform your neighbours of the need for access.
UPON COMPLETION OF WORK - Once the tree work has been concluded all of the waste will be taken away and the whole area cleared of any debris. Particularly where the trees are under a protection order, a certificate of work will then be created by your tree surgeon, which will be signed off and a copy presented to you. Pathways and roads can then be re-opened to the public, with any safety measures in public spaces being taken away.
If you've got any problems or issues with the completed work, you should first take them up with the tree surgeon so that they can be rectified straight away. If your tree surgeon is a registered member of a professional association, you can get advice and guidance from the ISA or AA so as to arrive at a satisfactory conclusion, if there's any further dispute.
Local Potters Bar tree surgeons will most likely have the telephone dialling code 01707 and the postcode EN6. They will operate in Potters Bar itself, along with nearby areas like Bentley Heath, South Mimms, Northaw, Gordon Hill, Cuffley, Kitts End, Water End, Brookmans Park, Ganwick Corner, Monken Hadley, High Barnet, Hadley Wood, Cockfosters, New Barnet, and these postcodes: EN6 1DB, EN6 1BZ, EN6 1QZ, EN6 1NX, EN5 9LT, EN6 1HR, EN5 4RT, EN6 1HD, EN6 1SW, EN6 1NH.
For this type of service it is certainly better to use a reputable tree surgeon. Potters Bar property owners can benefit from the expertise offered by a fully trained professional.
Tree Stump Removal Potters Bar
When you've had a tree chopped down from your property in Potters Bar, unless previously arranged with the tree surgery company, you will be left with a stump to deal with. You might be thinking about using the stump as a garden seat for instance, and might be happy enough to leave it in position until it rots away with time. However, tree stumps left in your garden can send out new suckers in an effort to regrow, and big stumps can take many years to rot down, during which time they can become a trip hazard, and eyesore and the perfect home for unwanted fungi, pests and bacteria.
There are various ways that you can remove a stump, if you determine that this is the preferred thing to do, but the 2 key options are stump removal and stump grinding. In the following paragraphs we will be looking at the stump removal alternative as opposed to grinding.
There are three primary approaches that can be used to get rid of a tree stump - you can dig it out by hand, you can burn it or you can use a chemical treatment. If your intention is to do the stump removal on your own, any one of these approaches could be an option. If you're hiring a tree surgeon in Potters Bar, they will typically plump for the previously mentioned stump grinding solution.
Chemical Stump Treatments: For the chemical removal of a stump you will need to purchase Resolva Xtra Tough Tree Stump Killer, Vitax SBK Stump Killer or Roundup Tree Stump Remover. You should always study and closely follow the instructions for timings, quantities and applications for these chemical substances, and be aware of the fact that they are toxic and often flammable. According to the size of the stump, and if it's alive or dead when it's treated, it can take several weeks or possibly even months for a stump to break down totally, so regard this as a long term solution. As soon as it is well rotted, it can be chopped up with an axe and dug out with a spade.
Digging Out by Hand: The method of digging out a tree stump by hand is fairly straightforward, and calls for shoveling out out as much of the earth as possible from around the base and roots, cutting any major roots with a chainsaw, and lastly freeing up the stump so that it can be hoisted out and removed. The use of a winch may be required for the final freeing and removal of the tree stump. This type of work isn't suited to the unfit or faint-hearted, since it is tedious and exhausting.
Stump Burning Methods: Burning is not really a recommended course of action, and could be at variance with local laws, so take great care if choosing this option. 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 should then cover the stump with charcoal or logs and set it alight. This shouldn't ever be left unwatched, and be constantly monitored. As soon as the burning process has finished, you should make sure that the fire is put out, and when it has completely cooled down you will be able to dig out and remove the remnants of roots and stump.
This is not the only method of burning a tree stump, you could also try scooping out all the soil from underneath the stump and lighting a fire in the space that has been created beneath. There are of course various circumstances where burning is not suitable, such as when there are buildings, fences or other trees close to the stump being removed.
Skills Needed by Tree Surgeons in Potters Bar
- The ability to work happily with others.
- To be thorough and pay close attention to detail.
- To be able to execute basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device.
- Be aware of the dangers and complexities involved in all aspects of tree work.
- Have a good understanding of public safety and security.
- Be professional and able to complete tasks within a set timeframe.
- Physical skills like co-ordination and movement.
- Be capable of maintaining, repairing and using tools and machinery.
- Have the ability to work with your hands.
- Be patient and have the ability to remain calm in stressful circumstances.
- Have good customer service skills.
Air-Spading Potters Bar
There are a number of issues that can have an impact on the overall health of your trees, and the root system is one of the places to consider when you have concerns. Easy accessibility to your tree's roots will be necessary for a qualified tree surgeon in Potters Bar to check for soil compaction, root rot and other possible issues.
Because there is a possibility of inflicting damage on the roots during the process of digging, until recently this was a difficult thing to achieve. To effectively break up and clear away compacted soil without damaging tree roots or utilities, a contemporary technique that's frequently used is "air spading".
When the soil surrounding a tree becomes compacted by heavy foot traffic, passing vehicles or construction work, the health of the tree can be badly affected. A tree can become "stressed" due to a lack of water and nutrients, which makes it more prone to attack by insects, diseases and pests. Also great for resolving root flare problems, air-spading can be employed to remove the excess soil from the base of a tree which has been covered, heightening the chance of root decay.
By forcing air into spaces in the soil at a speed of 1,200 mph through the use of an air-spading tool and an air compressor, the air-spading process quickly breaks up the soil without harming or damaging the tree roots. All the compacted soil is forced away from the roots by the highly powerful air flow, enabling instant inspection and investigation. The previously compact soil can then be replaced with wood mulch and fertiliser to encourage the tree to revive, and resolve any problems. (Tags: Air-Spade Investigations Potters Bar, Air-Spade Potters Bar, Air-Spading Potters Bar).
Protecting Trees & Shrubs in the Wintertime
Although the winter conditions are seldom severe enough to justify protecting your shrubs and trees, it's certainly worth looking at as a precautionary measure. In fact, even shrubs, plants and trees that we generally think of as being hardy, will benefit from some extra protection during the colder winter months.
Although most of your trees may have already shed their leaves by winter in Potters Bar, it is storms and strong winds that are the biggest worry, and although they offer less wind resistance, they may still be damaged. If you're concerned about a tree's condition, or it seems like it may fall to the ground, you should contact a local tree surgeon to examine it and carry out a risk assessment. Trees can also suffer problems because of heavy snow, so keep an eye out for damage in this kind of weather. A substantial layer of mulch around the base of trees and shrubs (in particular recently planted ones), can help in keeping the roots frost-free and stopping them from becoming dehydrated.
Stump Grinding
If you've got a requirement for specialist services like stump grinding in Potters Bar, making sure you use a firm with the correct machinery and knowhow is essential. Any self-respecting tree surgeon in Potters Bar will understand the need for removing every last piece of the tree stump to at least a 12 inch depth, so it will not come back. Having the appropriate machines ensures that they're able to extract roots and stumps fairly close to walls and buildings without without damaging them. This tailor-made grinding apparatus is so multifaceted that it can even eradicate stumps which are growing in passageways, alleys and other usually inaccessible places. If you are doing away with a sizable tree the resulting stump will be pretty enormous and depending on what you are planning to use the resulting space for, the chances are the remaining stump will have to be extracted a decent amount below surface level.
Wood Chipping Potters Bar
So as to process the large volume of branches, vegetation and tree limbs that are generated by their work, most Potters Bar tree surgeons will utilise wood chipping machinery. These awesome wood chipping systems can gobble up as much as forty tons of material every hour, depending on what equipment is being used, however the smaller, more commonly used devices will process approximately five tonnes per hour.
Chopped down material is naturally much easier to transport, taking up much less space in the tree surgeon's vehicle, and can additionally be used for wood pulp, weed prevention, cultivating mushrooms, biomass solid fuel, garden pathways, ecosystem restoration, woody mulch and landscaping, to name just a few.
Generally, Potters Bar tree surgeons will cart away all the wood chips that are generated by your tree surgery, unless of course you need them for one of the above uses, when they will generally be happy to let you keep some. Tree surgeons are a good source for wood chips that you can use throughout your garden, even if you don't need any tree surgery doing on your property in Potters Bar. Certain tree surgeons will want paying for wood chippings, especially if you need to have them delivered, others will allow you to have them for free.
Crytec, Forest Master, Timberwolf and T-Mech, are among the best known makes of wood chipping machines.
A Tree Surgeons's Daily Duties
- Produce telephone or on-site quotes with the customers.
- Be proficient with power tools and powered machinery.
- Evaluate the health of trees and create plan of action.
- Chip and cut logs and branches.
- Work with clients and complete administration duties.
- Service equipment like chippers and chainsaws.
- Prepare tree survey reports for domestic and commercial clients.
- Clean up site on completion and remove waste from customer's site.
- Plant trees and vegetation.
- Fell and remove trees and grind stumps.
- Establish dangers presented by trees.
- Climb trees to remove or prune branches as required.
Deadwooding Potters Bar
All competent Potters Bar tree surgeons will undertake the procedure of dead-wooding (or deadwooding), which is an essential part of tree management. Dead-wooding calls for the careful removal of dead and dying branches which may present a threat to pedestrians, vehicles or buildings. A tree's branches can die for a variety of reasons, the most widespread being diseases, excessive shading, damaged roots or attack by pests.
The rationale for dead-wooding is usually one of safety, nevertheless, it is also done for the benefit of the tree or purely to make the tree look more attractive. Infestation by insects and disease can be encouraged by an excessive amount of dying, damaged and dead branches, therefore the tree's health can be dramatically improved by eliminating such dead branches. A tree with lots of dead wood also looks unattractive and ruins its appearance, therefore this must be cut out to get your tree looking its best once again.
Normally only substantial dead branches will be removed, because smaller ones present little risk. Nevertheless, where a property, a garden, a park, a public space or a road in Potters Bar is overhung by trees, any dead wood of more than 50mm diameter may have to be removed. (Tags: Dead-Wooding Services Potters Bar, Deadwooding Trees Potters Bar, Deadwooding Potters Bar, Dead-Wooding Potters Bar).
The ISA - International Society of Arboriculture
The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) is an international, non-profit organisation that is based in the States, fostering the benefits and awareness of trees. Championing the professional practice of arboriculture, the ISA is a membership association that serves the tree care industry all over the world.
With its focus closely on technology, research and education, the ISA encourages best tree care practice via educational publications, events and services, enabling those who work in the tree care industry to develop their skills, arboricultural expertise and knowledge.
During mid-2016 the UK's Arboricultural Association proudly became an associate organisation of the International Society of Arboriculture after signing a partnership agreement with them. The relationship between the two organisations was therefore strengthened, and further opportunities made available for Great Britain and Ireland ISA members. Being an integral part of a wide and varied worldwide network of tree care professionals is something that ISA and AA members in Great Britain and Ireland can now benefit from. With professional affiliates and associate organisations in EXTRAtree surveys, professional tree care, tree topping, tree removal Potters Bar, root decompaction Potters Bar, stump treatment Potters Bar, tree bracing Potters Bar, retrenchment pruning Potters Bar, tree reshaping in Potters Bar, terraventing Potters Bar, tree planting, woodland clearances, forestry management in Potters Bar, brush cutting services Potters Bar, tree felling Potters Bar, crown lifting, woodland management in Potters Bar, damage restoration, landscaping, tree staking Potters Bar, tree fertilising, stump removal, tree pruning in Potters Bar, tree planning, landscape clearance Potters Bar, fruit tree pruning, tree maintenance, hedge trimming, root pruning, crown reduction in Potters BarTEN, and the UK, the ISA now has over 22,000 members internationally.
Eco-Plugging Stumps Potters Bar
Stump grinding is the customary technique used by most Potters Bar tree surgeons for removing large tree stumps. However, these days "eco-plugging" is recognised as a more cost-effective alternative to this strategy. It's not just the point that eco-plugging is less expensive that makes it an appealing option for stump removal, but also that it can be employed in hard-to-reach locations which may be difficult to access with bulky stump grinding machines.
For killing off tree stumps without affecting any nearby vegetation and trees, eco-plugging is an incredibly effective treatment. Eco-plugs can be employed in any weather conditions and throughout the year, and they eliminate a stump by killing off the entire root system. Effective for treating a wide range of trees, eco-plugs are 95-100 percent effective and contain a type of crystalline glyphosate herbicide.
Tree Pollarding Potters Bar
Pollarding is above all undertaken on grounds of safety, and is a technique that's used for radically reducing a tree's size when it has got too big for its location. It can occasionally be used for functional or visual motives to mould a tree into a specific form or shape. It is commonly observed on trees that serve as borders or hedgerows, and trees which grow beside streets in Potters Bar. For individuals who appreciate trees this is not a very popular technique, since the outcome tends to be rather harsh and naked, with the overall appearance of being practically lifeless. The advantageous side of the pollarding process, is that trees which would normally have to be cut down can be retained. Pollarding is routinely done on broad-leafed species like sycamores, horse chestnuts, planes, beeches, oaks, maples and limes. (Tags: Tree Pollarding Potters Bar, Pollarding Potters Bar, Tree Pruning Potters Bar)
Tree Surgery Tasks Potters Bar
Potters Bar tree surgeons can generally help you with tree surveys, professional tree care, tree topping, tree removal Potters Bar, root decompaction Potters Bar, stump treatment Potters Bar, tree bracing Potters Bar, retrenchment pruning Potters Bar, tree reshaping in Potters Bar, terraventing Potters Bar, tree planting, woodland clearances, forestry management in Potters Bar, brush cutting services Potters Bar, tree felling Potters Bar, crown lifting, woodland management in Potters Bar, damage restoration, landscaping, tree staking Potters Bar, tree fertilising, stump removal, tree pruning in Potters Bar, tree planning, landscape clearance Potters Bar, fruit tree pruning, tree maintenance, hedge trimming, root pruning, crown reduction in Potters Bar and other tree surgeon services in Potters Bar, Hertfordshire. These are just some of the duties that are conducted by a tree surgeon. Potters Bar specialists will be happy to tell you about their entire range of services.
Tree Surgeons Nearby
Also find: Gordon Hill tree surgeon, South Mimms tree surgeon, Kitts End tree surgeon, Ganwick Corner tree surgeon, Northaw tree surgeon, Monken Hadley tree surgeon, Hadley Wood tree surgeon, Water End tree surgeon, High Barnet tree surgeon, New Barnet tree surgeon, Cockfosters tree surgeon and more. Most of these locations are covered by tree care companies. Home and business owners in these places can obtain estimates for tree surgery by going here.
Tree Care Services Potters Bar
- Potters Bar Tree Removal
- Potters Bar Tree Inspections
- Potters Bar Tree Transplanting
- Potters Bar Hedge Cutting
- Potters Bar Eco-Plugging
- Potters Bar Crown Lifting
- Potters Bar Tree Reshaping
- Potters Bar Tree Surveys
- Potters Bar Root Removal
- Potters Bar Tree Management
- Potters Bar Crown Removal
- Potters Bar Woodland Clearances
- Potters Bar Tree Care
- Potters Bar Site Clearance
For the best local information on Potters Bar, Hertfordshire go here
Tree Surgery EN6 area, phone code 01707.
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