Prescot Tree Surgeon Merseyside: Trees around your property and in your garden in Prescot, add substance, style and structure to what can quite often be a largely two dimensional area. However, when trees have been poorly maintained or have been affected by severe weather conditions, for instance high winds or flooding, issues can develop. Seeking the advice and guidance of a trained tree surgeon in Prescot, is the safest option when work needs to be done on your trees.
There's a major risk of damage to property, the trees or to life, for people in Prescot who attempt to do tree work by themselves, or by hiring a non-qualified operative. However, even for professional tree surgeons who are familiar with all the hazards, tree work is not entirely safe. There are an average of 140 serious injuries and 3 deaths each year within the profession, making it one of the most hazardous jobs in the UK and definitely not for novices to try.
A neglected or damaged tree can also present a risk to life, with around 5 people a year being tragically killed by falling trees or branches in Britain. If you bring in someone to do tree work and an injury occurs, or property is damaged, you may be liable for any compensation to a third-party. These reasons are why it is very important to hire an established tree surgeon to undertake the work on your trees. (The source of the above figures was HSE UK).
CHOOSING A TREE SURGEON IN PRESCOT - There are two principal professional trade bodies, one or both of which a skilled Prescot tree surgeon should be an approved member of. Both the International Society of Arboriculture and the Arboricultural Association offers a website where you can check the membership and professional standing of any tree surgeon. Membership of either of these organisations gives the tree surgeon recognised Approved ARB Contractor status which can be checked on this page.
If there's an issue during the course of the tree work, or after it's been concluded you can get hold of these industry organisations for assistance in arbitration and for advice and help.
If any tree surgeon who isn't on this directory offers you a quote, you should courteously decline their offer of work and find an approved contractor. It is best to get a minimum of three estimates from different companies in and around Prescot, as soon as you have thoroughly checked their accreditations and professional associations. You should ask the questions below while obtaining the quotes, stating you need to know the answers because of the risks involved in the work:
- Can I contact some past clients to assess the standard of your tree work? It's recommended that you carry out an independent examination of any recent work.
- Can you provide a NPTC/LANTRA certificate for the use of a chainsaw, and documentary proof of your professional memberships and qualifications? It is required by law that any operative/tree surgeon using a chainsaw must hold NPTC/LANTRA certification. Certificates and National Diplomas in Arboriculture are qualifications that may be held by a decent Prescot tree surgeon.
- What level of insurance cover do you have? You shouldn't even consider a tree surgeon in Prescot with any less than five million pounds public liability insurance as recommended by the AA and ISA.
- Can you provide a quotation in writing? You should NEVER accept a verbal quote only. Only ever accept a written quote.
The written quotation that you are provided with must include clear and accurate information on the proposed tree work. It should mention who is responsible for the removal of waste, tree branches and stumps, and should also include information on any trees which might be protected, and the steps needed to get permission to work on them. Unless you're a commercial entity, you should also make sure VAT has been included on the quotation. It's extremely important to realise that you've got a responsibility to hire only trained people to work on your property and trees.
PRIOR TO WORK COMMENCING - The tree surgeon that you've chosen in Prescot, will be able to investigate whether any of your trees are under a TPO, and will consult with the local authority to find out if the green light for any tree surgery is forthcoming. Finding a tree has protected status doesn't mean that work cannot be carried out, because even protected trees require maintenance in order to cut back dead or damaged wood and ensure public safety.
If your property in Prescot is situated in a designated conservation area, the Local Planning Authority (LPA) will need no less than six weeks written notice of any tree work you are planning to do. However, tree stems of less than 7.5cm in diameter when measured at 1.5m above the ground are free from this requirement. Also, if a protected tree's branches need to be pruned or thinned to sustain and promote growth, written notice won't be necessary.
On site they will perform a complete assessment of your trees and determine the remedial treatment required and how best to achieve the required outcome in a safe manner. This involves performing a full risk assessment to include your property, public areas and any section of a neighbour's property that could be affected by falling debris. This stage will also determine the number of workers needed and the level of protection required. This is both PPE as well as other safety precautions to keep the public and other property safe from harm or damage.
ON THE DAY OF WORK - Before any cutting of branches, climbing or tree felling is started, barriers and safety measures will be put in place to keep unauthorised persons and passers-by away from the area of work. Traffic may have to be halted temporarily if there's any danger of debris falling onto a public highway.
Subject to the type of work that's required a tree surgeon will need different degrees of protection. When carrying out basic work with a chainsaw, to avoid serious cutting injuries to the torso, legs and hands, they will at the very least be wearing special protective clothing. Without exception, every operative involved in the work should wear high visibility clothing, and eye and head protection.
If any working at height is involved, climbing equipment and ladders will need to be deployed, and extra workforce will be there to help in the safe removal of high branches and large pieces of tree trunk. A pickup truck or skip for removing the waste will be parked as close as possible to the work area, so it is advisable to inform your neighbours of the need for easy access.
AFTER COMPLETION OF WORK - When the work has been accomplished all of the waste materials will be transported away and the site cleared of any debris. Your tree surgeon should then prepare and sign off a certificate of work done, a copy of which will be presented to you. This is particularly important where trees with TPOs are involved. If any public spaces needed safety measures, this protection can be taken away and footpaths and highways will be re-opened to the public.
If you have any complaints about the completed work, you should get them put right straight away by firstly taking them up with the tree surgeon. If your tree surgeon is an approved member of a professional trade association, and any further arbitration is needed, you can obtain guidance and help from the AA or the ISA so as to arrive at an acceptable solution.
Locally based Prescot tree surgery services will probably have the postcode L34 and the telephone code 0151. They'll work in Prescot itself, as well as nearby areas such as Thatto Heath, Gillars Green, Tarbock, Rainhill Stoops, Saint Helens, West Park, Knowsley Park, Liverpool, Whiston Cross, Eccleston, Eccleston Lane Ends, Woolfall Heath, Huyton, Page Moss, Whiston, and these postcodes: L34 2RN, L34 2QD, L34 3LX, L34 2WR, L34 1QD, L34 1QL, L34 2TQ, L34 2RH, L34 5AD, L34 3LW.
For this type of service it's certainly advisable to use an accredited tree surgeon. Prescot home and business owners can substantially benefit from the skills and dexterity that a seasoned professional can offer.
Air-Spading Prescot
When you are worried about the health of a tree, it might be due to various issues, but problems with the root system is a commonplace trigger for such worries. An experienced Prescot tree surgeon might need to access your tree's root system, so as to check for issues such as root rot or soil compaction.
Because of the potential for root damage in the digging down process, this was problematic in the past. The method that numerous contemporary tree surgeons use is called "air spading", where compressed air is employed to efficiently break down and remove compacted soil without causing damage to tree roots or underground utilities.
When the soil around the stem of a tree becomes compacted by construction work, foot traffic or passing vehicles, the general health of the tree can be negatively impacted. When a tree is "stressed" it can become more prone to attack by pests, insects and diseases, and this stress can be caused by a lack of water and nutrients. There can also be problems with root flare, when the flare around the base of the stem becomes covered in an excess of soil, causing it's tissues to break down, and heightening the chances of root rot. Air-spading is a useful technique for correcting this.
The innovative air spading process involves the use of an air compressor and an air-spading tool which blows air directly into the soil at a speed of 1,200 mph, the air enters the voids in the soil and immediately breaks it apart, whilst leaving tree roots, utilities and concrete undamaged. All of the soil is blown away from the roots by the powerful air flow, meaning the investigation can take place immediately. A resolution can then be found for any any obvious problems, and the previously compact soil replaced with a looser layer of wood chip mulch and fertiliser to help revive the tree. (Tags: Air-Spade Prescot, Air-Spading Prescot, Air-Spade Investigations Prescot).
Emergency Tree Services Prescot
There might be some occasions when you have to contact a tree surgeon in an emergency, if you have sizeable trees growing in your Prescot garden. Prescot tree surgeons usually expect to receive a spike in emergency call-outs when there are storms and high winds, which is why most of them offer a 24/7 service for this eventuality. In gusty weather there is an increased likelihood of branches snapping off and falling, and even possibly the risk of an entire tree crashing to the ground. Avoidance is definitely preferable to having to deal with the consequences, and commonplace issues that can be caused by falling branches and tree limbs include busted garden furniture, squashed sheds, damaged fences and cracked greenhouses.
Naturally, the local authorities in Prescot will also often need emergency tree surgery services, when sizeable tree branches drop onto railway lines, streets and public walkways.
When a tree has lost some of it's larger branches it can become uneven or lopsided, with more weight and branches on one side. This can often be both unsafe and unattractive, therefore the tree might have to be "re-balanced". For all of these issues, you should get in touch with a local Prescot tree surgeon who offers emergency tree care services, and they'll handle all of this for you. You should also be able to get emergency tree surgery in Thatto Heath, Gillars Green, Tarbock, Rainhill Stoops, Saint Helens, West Park, Knowsley Park, Liverpool, Whiston Cross, Eccleston, Eccleston Lane Ends, Woolfall Heath, Huyton, Page Moss, Whiston, and and of course Prescot.
Protecting Trees & Shrubs in Winter
Although you might not believe that the weather conditions in Prescot are severe enough to warrant protecting your shrubs and trees, it may be a good idea to take a second look at this. In fact, even plants, shrubs and trees that we normally think of as hardy, can benefit from a bit of added protection during the cooler winter months.
When you've got trees on your property in Prescot, it's high winds that are the biggest concern, and they could still be vulnerable even though many of them will already have shed their leaves when winter arrives, offering less wind resistance. If you have a tree in your garden that looks like it may be damaged, or shows signs of crashing to the ground, you'll need to get it inspected by a local tree surgeon, who will offer advice and guidance. Damage to trees can also be caused by heavy snowfall, so when this sort of weather is on the cards, be on the lookout for issues. A deep layer of mulch round the base of shrubs and trees (particularly freshly planted ones), will help to keep the roots frost-free and prevent them from becoming dehydrated.
Ash Dieback
A harmful fungal disease which is expected to wipe out about 80 percent of the current British ash tree stock, over the next few years, ash dieback was first reported in Britain in 2012, when a nursery brought in a number of trees from the Netherlands. Already having a similarly damaging impact on the British countryside as Dutch Elm Disease (DED), ash dieback is just another blow to the UK's tree stocks.
The Fraxinus genus of trees is affected by this fatal disease, which has a particularly devastating effect on the common ash (Fraxinus excelsior), which is the native UK species. Originally coming from eastern Asia where the native Chinese ash (Fraxinus chinensis) and Manchurian ash (Fraxinus mandshurica) are more resistant to it, the fungus which causes ash dieback is called Hymenoscyphus fraxineus (H. fraxineus), and it kills the tree by blocking its water transport (vascular) systems.
Ash dieback (or chalara ash dieback as it's often known) has already spread to most regions of Britain, and is dispersed by wind blown spores produced by the fruiting bodies of the fungus, and can travel for many miles, accelerating the process.
Ash dieback is recognisable by symptoms like:
- Leaves that develop dark patches during mid to late summer.
- New epicormic growth appears from previously dormant buds (common in stressed trees).
- Wilting leaves that turn black in colour and are shed early.
- The formation of lesions where branches meet the trunk.
- Dying leaves and shoots which are visible during the summertime.
Even ash trees which are able to fight off the infection, suffer sustained attacks year after year and ultimately succumb and perish. There's currently no remedy for chalara ash dieback, and no obvious procedure for stopping it spreading.
If you have suspicions that a tree in your local neighbourhood is suffering from ash dieback, or you are concerned about a tree in your garden in Prescot, you should bring in a local tree surgeon to affirm the diagnosis, and you can also send in a report to the Forestry Commission's "Tree Alert Service", although they're currently only interested to know about cases in previously unaffected areas.
Trees of the genus Fraxinus are affected by ash dieback.
Wood Chipping Prescot
Since large volumes of tree limbs, vegetation and branches are generated by the tree surgery procedure, the majority of Prescot tree surgeons will utilise wood chipping devices to break down this material into manageable pieces. Swiftly gobbling up as much as 40 tons of material each hour, these impressive wood chipping systems can handle just about as much as you're physically able to feed into them. Even the smaller, more commonly used machines can process a respectable five tons every hour without any issues.
Together with providing a handy material that can be used for a range of purposes including; weed prevention, wood pulp, cultivating mushrooms, garden walkways, biomass fuel, mulch for gardens, ecosystem restoration and landscaping, chipping down the branches in this way makes them a good deal easier to transport.
Should you decide that you want to hang on to some of the wood chippings that result from your tree surgery project, most Prescot tree surgeons will gladly let you keep them. If you've got no use for them, they'll take them away for use on other jobs, or ethically dispose of them. Whether or not you need any tree surgery doing, you'll find that tree surgeons are an excellent source for wood chippings which you can use throughout your garden in Prescot. If you need a load of wood chips to be delivered then most tree surgeons will charge a fee for this service, otherwise many will let you have them without cost.
Companies such as Timberwolf, T-Mech, Crytec and Forest Master, make some of the best know wood chipping machines that are used in the UK.
Tree Pollarding Prescot
Pollarding is primarily carried out for basic safety reasons and is a procedure for substantially decreasing the size of trees that have got too large for their existing surroundings. This method is from time to time used for visual reasons to change a tree into a particularly pleasing shape or form. It can frequently be seen on trees that serve as borders or hedgerows, and trees that grow alongside highways in Prescot. Seeing that pollarded trees have such a harsh and bare visual appearance, and will never return to their "pre-pollarded" shape, this process is not very popular with those who appreciate trees. The beneficial side of pollarding, is that trees which would otherwise have to be cut down can be saved. Pollarding is routinely done on broad-leafed species like maples, limes, oaks, sycamores, planes, horse chestnuts and beeches. (Tags: Pollarding Prescot, Tree Pollarding Prescot, Tree Pruning Prescot)
Cable Bracing Prescot
Cable bracing is a method which is used to support a tree when it shows signs of damage, decay, or poses a risk to surrounding property (or persons). Where it is undesirable to fell a tree or remove large, unstable sections, due to the tree being old or valuable, cable bracing can be the perfect solution.
Fitting a cable bracing setup might be an option to add support to the weak limbs, V-shaped forks and defective joints of a vulnerable tree. To help mitigate structural stresses and prolong the lifespan of old and valuable trees most Prescot tree surgeons will be equipped to carry out various types of bracing work by the installation of rods and cables.
Cable bracing doesn't damage the tree (as could happen when drilling and bolting the branches), and offers a flexible and shock-absorbing method of support that is essentially non-invasive. Before any actual work can proceed, a risk risk assessment must be conducted to ensure the safety of the tree and adjoining areas.
Safety Considerations
One of the primary considerations with tree surgery in Prescot is the health and safety aspect, as this can be an extremely dangerous procedure if handled badly. Inexperienced or unqualified "tree surgeons" in Prescot are liable to cut corners and simply ignore recognised safety guidance, which means that there might be inadequate head protection, falling timber and branches, not roping off the work area to protect the public and vehicles, little protection from falling, in the shape of ropes, harnesses and platforms, failing to use cut resistant apparel (in particular safety boots and trousers) and not wearing eye or hearing protection. In danger because of these inadequacies are fencing and garden features, the tree surgeon himself (person up the tree), passing pedestrians, those working at ground level, the home or property, the tree itself, the street facilities, the people living in the property, stationary and passing vehicles.
Tree Surgery Tasks Prescot
Prescot tree surgeons will likely help you with tree lightening protection, airspading, tree maintenance, formative pruning, landscaping, tree watering in Prescot, shrub maintenance, landscape clearance, tree removal, root pruning, crown reduction, tree reduction, tree pruning, crown raising, root grinding, brush cutting, tree surveys, cut sealing, woodchipping, retrenchment pruning, hedge lowering Prescot, tree fertilising, tree bracing, woodland management, waste removal, the removal of dead wood, crown lifting Prescot, site clearance, tree work in Prescot, tree transplanting and other tree surgeon services in Prescot, Merseyside. Listed are just a few of the tasks that are undertaken by a local tree surgeon. Prescot companies will be happy to inform you of their entire range of services.
Tree Surgeons Nearby
Also find: Town End tree surgeon, Page Moss tree surgeon, Saint Helens tree surgeon, Netherley tree surgeon, Tarbock tree surgeon, Windle tree surgeon, Gillar's Green tree surgeon, Thatto Heath tree surgeon, West Park tree surgeon, Woolfall Heath tree surgeon, Cronton tree surgeon and more. Most of these places are serviced by tree care companies. Business and home owners in the area can get tree surgery price quotes by going here.
Tree Care Services Prescot
- Prescot Hedge Trimming
- Prescot Tree Lopping
- Prescot Shrub Maintenance
- Prescot Root Removal
- Prescot Root Decompaction
- Prescot Tree Pollarding
- Prescot Dead Wooding
- Prescot Hedge Reduction
- Prescot Wood Chipping
- Prescot Tree Reshaping
- Prescot Crown Removal
- Prescot Tree Topping
- Prescot Tree Maintenance
- Prescot Tree Watering
To find out local Prescot info take a look here
Tree Surgery L34 area, (dialling code 0151).
Tree Care Prescot - Tree Felling Prescot - 0151 - Arboriculture Prescot - L34 - Woodland Management Prescot - Crown Lifting Prescot - Tree Management Prescot - Vegetation Control Merseyside