Tree Surgeon Reading

There is a huge risk of damage to property, the trees or to life, for those in Reading who try to do tree work themselves, or by using a non-qualified person. However, tree work isn't altogether safe for professional tree surgeons, who know about all of the hazards involved with it. Within the profession there are an average of 3 deaths and 140 severe injuries annually, making it one of the most hazardous jobs in the UK.

With falling branches and trees causing around five fatalities annually in the United Kingdom, a risk to life can even be posed by a neglected or damaged tree. If there is an injury, or damage to property due to you bringing in someone to conduct tree work, you may be liable for any compensation to any third-party due to the consequences of your actions. These are just some of the reasons why it is essential to hire an accredited tree surgeon to carry out the work on your trees in Reading. (Source - HSE).

PICKING A TREE SURGEON IN READING - There are 2 main trade bodies, at least one of which a decent Reading tree surgeon should be a signed up member of. The membership and professional standing of any tree surgeon in Reading can be checked out on the websites of both the AA (Arboricultural Association) and the ISA (International Society of Arboriculture). On this page you can check membership of either of these two associations, which gives the tree surgeon in question, ARB Approved Contractor status.

You'll be able to get hold of these professional organisations for arbitration assistance and for advice and help at any point, if there is a problem during or after any tree work has been concluded.

If a tree surgeon who is not on this directory list offers to provide you with an estimate, you are advised to carry on with your search for a fully qualified and approved contractor, and respectfully decline their offer. It's wise to get a minimum of three different quotes from various companies in the Reading area, when you've meticulously checked their professional associations and qualifications. Because of the risks involved in tree surgery work, you should ask the below questions, making it abundantly clear that you need to know the answers:

• Would it be possible for me to contact a person you've recently done work for, so that I can inspect your tree work? Independently examining any recent work is always recommended.
• Can you provide a written quotation? You should only ever accept a written quote. NEVER accept a verbal quote only.
• Have you got documents to demonstrate that you have the recommended qualifications, membership of the ISA or AA, and also a certificate for basic chainsaw use from the NPTC? It is required by law that any tree surgeon/operative who uses a chainsaw must hold a NPTC/LANTRA certificate. Qualifications may include City & Guilds Certificates and National Diplomas in Arboriculture.
• Precisely what level of insurance cover have you got? You shouldn't even consider a tree surgeon in Reading with less than £5 Million public liability insurance as stipulated by the AA and ISA.

The written quote that you're provided with should include easy to follow details of the proposed tree work. It should state who is responsible for the removal of debris, tree branches and stumps, and should also include information on any trees which may be protected, and the steps required to obtain permission to work on them. Unless you are a commercial business, you should also ensure that VAT is included on the quotation. It's important to recognise that you have a responsibility for employing only capable tradespeople to work on your property and trees. This is outlined by the "Common law duty of care responsibilities and sometimes liabilities under the Occupier's Liability Acts of 1957 and 1984."

PRIOR TO WORK - Checking whether any of your trees are protected, your preferred Reading tree surgeon should make certain that any work can get the go-ahead from the appropriate local authority. Even protected trees need to be maintained so as to cut back dead or damaged wood and ensure the safety of the public, so finding a tree has protected status does not imply that work can't be carried out.

At least 6 weeks written notice must be given to the Local Planning Authority before any tree work can be carried out, if your property in Reading is situated in a conservation area. This written notice is not required if the tree stem is less than 75mm in diameter when measured at 1.5 metres above the ground. It is also not necessary to give written notice if a protected tree's branches need pruning or thinning simply to sustain and encourage growth.

After conducting a complete assessment of your trees health, your chosen Reading tree surgeon will decide on the necessary remedial treatment and how best and safely to achieve the required outcome. Your property, public spaces and any part of neighbouring properties that could be impacted by falling branches and debris will all be given a risk assessment. At this point, the number of workers needed and the level of protection required will also be established. This will include various safety precautions along with PPE to guarantee the safety of the general public and nearby property.

ON THE DAY OF WORK - Barriers and safety measures should be put in place before any cutting of branches, tree felling or climbing commences, to keep unauthorised persons away from the area where work is going on. Passing traffic may have to be halted temporarily if there is any danger of falling debris onto a public highway.

Depending on the kind of work that is required a tree surgeon will need varying levels of protection. At the very least they'll be wearing special protective clothing to avoid serious cutting injuries to the torso, legs and hands, when doing chainsaw work. Head and eye protection, and high visibility clothing, should be worn by all operatives involved in the work.

Safety climbing equipment and ladders will be needed if any working at height is involved, and to help in the removal of high branches and pieces of tree trunk, extra workers will be essential. A skip or pickup truck for removing the waste will be stationed as close to the work area as possible, therefore it's advisable to inform your next door neighbours of the need for unhindered access.

AFTER COMPLETION OF WORK - When the tree work has been accomplished all of the waste materials will be hauled away and the area cleared of all debris. Your tree surgeon should then sign off and provide you with a certificate of work done, especially when the trees are protected. If any public areas required safety measures, this protection can be taken away and paths and roads will be re-opened.

If you've got any complaints about or issues with the completed work, you should get them put right immediately by first of all speaking to the tree surgeon. If there's any further dispute, and your tree surgeon is a member of a trade association, you can get help and guidance from the Arboricultural Association or the International Society of Arboriculture in order to reach an acceptable solution.

Local Reading tree surgeons will probably have the phone code 0118 and the postcode RG1. They will operate in Reading itself, as well as nearby areas like Mapledurham, West Reading, Southcote, Norcot, Pangbourne, Caversham, Caversham Heights, Sonning, Dunsden Green, Calcot, Shinfield, Play Hatch, Trench Green, Theale, Pingewood, Purley on Thames, Englefield, Sulham, Binfield Heath, Chazey Heath, Whitley, Tidmarsh, Earley, Tokers Green, Emmer Green, Lower Earley, and these postcodes: RG1 2EG, RG1 2NA, RG1 2NP, RG1 2PL, RG1 1LT, RG1 1PF, RG1 1DR, RG1 2AE, RG1 2HG, RG1 2QB.

For this kind of service it's definitely best to hire an approved local tree surgeon. Reading home and business owners can benefit from the knowhow and skills that a trained professional can offer.

Ash Dieback

Most likely to devastate close to eighty percent of the current British ash trees, over the next few years, ash dieback (Hymenoscyphus fraxineus) is an infectious fungal disease of ash trees, the first case of which was documented in the UK in 2012. Ash dieback is almost certain to have huge repercussions for our countryside, exacerbating the destruction resulting from the Dutch Elm Disease (DED) crisis.

Ash dieback has an especially devastating effect on the native Fraxinus excelsior (common ash), British Fraxinus excelsior (common ash), although it actually affects the whole Fraxinus genus of trees, with varying levels of tolerance to it. Originating in Asia where the native Manchurian ash (Fraxinus mandshurica) and Chinese ash (Fraxinus chinensis) are less seriously affected by it, the fungus which causes the disease is called Hymenoscyphus fraxineus (H. fraxineus), and it kills off the tree by blocking its vascular systems.

Swiftly spread by spores which are produced by the fruiting bodies of the fungus, and can travel for miles on the wind, ash dieback (or chalara ash dieback) can be found in most areas of Britain with up to eighty five percent mortality rates.

Affecting tree from every age group, ash dieback can be recognised by the following symptoms:

• Leaves developing dark patches during mid to late summer.
• Dying leaves and shoots which are visible during the summertime.
• New growth appearing from previously dormant buds.
• Leaves that wilt, turn black and fall early.
• Dark brown lesions (often diamond shaped) form where limbs meet the trunk, and the inner bark under the lesions looks brownish grey.

Stronger ash have the ability to fight off the infection to a certain degree, but eventually die from repeated attacks. There's not yet any cure or effective treatment for chalara ash dieback, and as it's a disease that is airborne, no effective way to stop it spreading.

Whilst the "Tree Alert Service" provided by the Forestry Commission is presently only interested in hearing about reports of cases in new locations where it hasn't previously been reported, if you're worried about an ash tree on your property in Reading, you should call in a local arborist or tree surgeon to verify that you are correct in your diagnosis and suggest a solution.

Tree families affected: the Fraxinus genus (Fraxinus excelsior, EXTRAretrenchment pruning Reading, tree lopping in Reading, domestic tree surgery, expert tree care, dead wooding in Reading, root removal in Reading, health inspections Reading, brush cutting, tree pest control, decompaction in Reading, tree planning, arboriculture, tree dismantling, hedge lowering, woodland clearances, vegetation management, formative pruning in Reading, tree topping in Reading, tree cutting, crown lifting, hedge cutting in Reading, tree management, landscaping in Reading, tree waste removal, cabling, tree removal, tree reduction, tree pruning in Reading, root grinding in Reading, tree replanting ReadingNINE).

Stump Grinding

It is vital to make sure you work with a tree surgeon with the appropriate equipment and knowhow, when you need to get specialist services like stump grinding done in Reading. Seasoned tree surgeons will endeavour to extract any size of tree stump to twelve inches or more below the surface. Working with the correct machines means that they will be able to grind out stubborn stumps and roots to right up against walls and buildings while avoiding damage. This tailor-made stump grinding apparatus is so versatile that it can even be used to remove tree stumps which are growing in passageways, alleys and similarly hard to get at places. It can involve a herculean effort to get rid of the stumps of substantial trees, where the stump and thicker roots grow down to a considerable depth, rendering the task even more tricky if you don't have the proper gear.

The Skills to be a Tree Surgeon in Reading

• Good knowledge of public security and safety.
• Have essential computer skills and know how to accomplish tasks with handheld devices.
• Be capable of maintaining, repairing and using tools and machines.
• Be professional and able to complete work within the specified period.
• Have patience and the ability to stay calm in times of stress.
• Be able to work well with your hands.
• Have good customer service skills.
• Physical skills such as coordination and movement.
• The cabability to work happily with others.
• To be methodical and pay attention to detail.
• Be mindful of the complexities and dangers involved in all aspects of tree work.

Eco-Plugging Stumps Reading

If you have a large stump in your garden which needs to be removed, the conventional technique employed by most tree surgeons in Reading is stump grinding. However, "eco-plugging" is now becoming increasingly more popular as a simpler and more cost-effective alternative to this approach. Not only is this solution less costly, but it can also be employed where stump grinding accessibility issues exist, such as in hard-to-reach and awkward places.

Without affecting the surrounding trees and vegetation, eco-plugging is an exceptionally effective treatment for killing tree stumps. Eco-plugs eliminate the tree stump by destroying the whole root system, and can be used in any weather conditions, and at any time of the year. Effective for treating a wide array of tree species, eco-plugs are 95% to 100% effective and contain a kind of crystalline glyphosate herbicide.

Removal of Tree Stumps Reading

When you've a tree that needs cutting down and removing in your garden in Reading, there's also a stump to think about. You may consider leaving it to rot and break down naturally, and be happy to leave it to its own devices. However, tree stumps in your garden can produce new suckers in an attempt to regrow, and sizeable tree stumps can take several years to rot away, during which time they can become an eyesore, a dangerous trip hazard and the perfect hiding place for unwelcome bacteria, fungi and pests.

There are a number of ways that you can remove a stump, if you decide that this is the preferred plan of action, though the 2 main options are stump grinding or stump removal. For the purposes of this section we will be considering stump removal rather than stump grinding.

Chemical treatment, digging out by hand and burning, are the three main techniques for getting rid of a tree stump. If you've got plans to deal with a tree stump by yourself, the use of any of these tactics might be possible. Professional tree surgeons will usually suggest the aforementioned stump grinding solution, however may suggest a chemical removal treatment like eco-plugging.

Burning Tree Stumps: As it might be at variance with local laws and can definitely be dangerous, burning tree stumps isn't usually recommended. If you decide upon this technique, great care must be taken. You'll need to drill several holes in the stump, and pour in some vegetable oil, you'll need to keep these topped up for a few days until the stump has been totally saturated. The tree stump is then piled up with charcoal or logs and set alight. This should not then be left unwatched, but be monitored constantly. When the fire has finally ceased burning, you need to make certain that it's extinguished and cool, after which you can manually dig out the roots and stump remains.

An alternative option is scooping out all the soil from below the stump and lighting a fire in the void created underneath. If your stump is close to fences, a building or other trees, you shouldn't ever use any of the burning procedures.

Digging Out by Hand: Digging up a stump by hand is a rather straightforward process, and will involve shoveling out out all the earth at the base of the stump, revealing and sawing all the principal roots, and ultimately freeing up the tree stump so that it can be dragged out. You might need to use a winch for the final lifting out of the stump. This is exceptionally hard graft and not for the unfit or faint-hearted.

Chemical Stump Treatments: A powerful chemical solution like Vitax SBK Stump Killer, Roundup Tree Stump Remover or Resolva Xtra Tough Tree Stump Killer, will be required if you opt to go with the chemical treatment option. It is important that you closely follow the manufacturer's instructions when working with any of these chemical substances, as they can be extremely toxic and dangerous. Your tree stump will take a few weeks to rot and can then be chopped up and removed with a spade and an axe.

Tree Transplanting Reading

Transplanting mature trees is a delicate, but rather straightforward process, due mostly to advanced vehicle mounted tree spades, tree lifting equipment and other specialist machinery. Mature trees can be transplanted onto new properties to create an instant landscaping look, or out-of-control wooded areas could be thinned without the need to stoop to tree felling.

Transplanting a tree in Reading is less stressful on the roots and health of the tree in the autumn and winter, but it can be achieved in warmer summer season by soaking the ground thoroughly before removal. Removing a fully grown tree will involve a mechanical spade digging down and encircling the main root-ball, before lifting the entire tree, undamaged, from the soil. The tree can then be replanted or temporarily stored before its transplanting in its new home.

Even protected trees can be moved and transplanted by a professional tree moving company in Reading, providing all relevant preservation orders and authorisations are given by the woodland organisations and authorities. It should be possible to obtain transplanting specialists in Mapledurham, West Reading, Southcote, Norcot, Pangbourne, Caversham, Caversham Heights, Sonning, Dunsden Green, Calcot, Shinfield, Play Hatch, Trench Green, Theale, Pingewood, Purley on Thames, Englefield, Sulham, Binfield Heath, Chazey Heath, Whitley, Tidmarsh, Earley, Tokers Green, Emmer Green, Lower Earley, and Reading itself.

Tree Surgery Injuries

As we've already said, tree care professionals in Reading undertake work that can be highly dangerous. Tree work involves a high risk of injury to both operatives, co-workers and passers-by, therefore all possible safety measures must be taken when carrying out work on trees.

As stated by the HSE (Health and Safety Executive), the majority of serious and fatal injuries are linked to falls from trees, the use of chainsaws, and being struck by a falling branch or tree. Surprisingly, the risk of being seriously injured is greater in tree care work than it is for those in building and construction.

The majority of accident claims, in terms of insurance, are for slipping from ladders, lifting injuries and being struck by objects (grapple hooks, trees, branches, ropes, cranes etc).

When work needs doing on your trees, this all highlights the importance of hiring a seasoned Reading tree surgeon. Many accidents that occur in the tree care industry can be attributed to unskilled workers attempting tasks that they aren't properly trained in. Consequently, to avoid this sort of issue, always try to use a trustworthy and established Reading company who have been operating in the local area for a number of years.

Tree Surgery Tasks Reading

Reading tree surgeons can generally help with retrenchment pruning Reading, tree lopping in Reading, domestic tree surgery, expert tree care, dead wooding in Reading, root removal in Reading, health inspections Reading, brush cutting, tree pest control, decompaction in Reading, tree planning, arboriculture, tree dismantling, hedge lowering, woodland clearances, vegetation management, formative pruning in Reading, tree topping in Reading, tree cutting, crown lifting, hedge cutting in Reading, tree management, landscaping in Reading, tree waste removal, cabling, tree removal, tree reduction, tree pruning in Reading, root grinding in Reading, tree replanting Reading and other tree surgeon services in Reading, Berkshire. Listed are just some of the tasks that are accomplished by a local tree surgeon. Reading professionals will be happy to inform you of their full range of services.

Tree Surgeons Nearby

Also find: Emmer Green tree surgeon, Theale tree surgeon, Calcot tree surgeon, Pangbourne tree surgeon, Tidmarsh tree surgeon, Tokers Green tree surgeon, Englefield tree surgeon, Southcote tree surgeon, Norcot tree surgeon, West Reading tree surgeon, Caversham Heights tree surgeon, Pingewood tree surgeon, Sulham tree surgeon, Trench Green tree surgeon, Caversham tree surgeon, Shinfield tree surgeon, Chazey Heath tree surgeon, Whitley tree surgeon, Binfield Heath tree surgeon, Dunsden Green tree surgeon, Play Hatch tree surgeon, Sonning tree surgeon, Mapledurham tree surgeon and more. All of these locations are catered for by tree care companies. Householders in the area can obtain tree surgery quotes by clicking here.

Tree Care Services Reading

Find a Tree Surgeon in Reading Here

• Reading Woodland Clearances
• Reading Hedge Cutting
• Reading Arboriculture
• Reading Wood Chipping
• Reading Crown Cleaning
• Reading Air-Spading
• Reading Tree Topping
• Reading Shrub Maintenance
• Reading Tree Pollarding
• Reading Tree Watering
• Reading Tree Lopping
• Reading Vegetation Management
• Reading Crown Raising
• Reading Tree Bracing

To obtain local Reading information click here

Tree Surgery RG1 area, (dialling code 0118).

Tree Removal Reading - Tree Care Reading - Tree Surgery Reading - Root Removal Reading - Crown Reduction Reading - Stump Removal Reading - Tree Management Reading - Arboriculture Reading - Woodland Management Reading