Reigate Tree Surgeon Surrey: Trees in your garden and around your property in Reigate, add style, structure and substance to what can oftentimes be a largely 2 dimensional landscape. But problems may occur when trees have been poorly maintained or have been affected by severe weather conditions, for instance flooding or storms. The safest option if you have work that needs carrying out on your trees, is to consult a seasoned tree surgeon in Reigate.
Folks in Reigate who attempt to do tree work themselves, or by using non-qualified individuals may well cause a risk of damage to the trees, to property and to life. However, even for trained tree surgeons who are aware of all the hazards, tree work is not entirely safe. Within the profession there are a startling average of 140 serious injuries and 3 deaths a year, making tree surgery one of the most dangerous jobs in the UK.
A poorly maintained or damaged tree can also cause a threat to life, with around five people a year being killed by falling branches and trees in the United Kingdom. If property is damaged, or an injury occurs due to you bringing in someone to carry out tree work, you might be liable to third-party compensation claims as a consequence of your actions. The above are merely some of the reasons why hiring a certified Reigate tree surgeon to carry out the work on your trees is very important. (The source of the above figures was HSE UK).
There are 2 principal professional trade bodies, one or both of which a skilled tree surgeon in Reigate should be an approved member of. The membership and professional standing of any tree surgeon in Reigate can be checked out on the websites of both the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and the Arboricultural Association (AA). To determine whether any particular local tree surgeon has ARB Approved Contractor status and has membership of either of these associations, you can check on this webpage.
You are able to make contact with these industry associations for mediation and for help and guidance, if there's a problem at any stage during the tree work, or after it has been concluded.
If someone offers to provide you with a quote for any tree work and you're unable to find them on this directory, you should politely decline their offer of work and find an approved contractor. As soon as you're reassured of their qualifications and professional memberships you should try and get at least 3 different quotations from various companies in the Reigate area. There are a number of important questions that you should ask while you are in the process of getting these quotes, and due to the risks involved in tree work, you must make it abundantly clear that you need them to provide the answers. You should for instance ask:
- Can I assess the standard of your workmanship by contacting a person you've recently worked for? Doing an independent check on any recent work is always a good idea.
- What level of insurance coverage do you have? As suggested by the AA and ISA, your tree surgeon should be able to produce a certificate covering at least £5 Million public liability insurance.
- Can you provide a quotation in writing? Only ever accept a quote in writing. NEVER accept a verbal quote alone.
- Can you show documents to indicate that you have the correct qualifications, membership of the ISA or AA, and also a certificate for chainsaw use and maintenance from the NPTC? It is required by law that any tree surgeon/operative using a chainsaw must hold NPTC/LANTRA certification. A certified tree surgeon in Reigate might hold National Diplomas and Certificates in Arboriculture.
The written quotation that you are provided with must include easy to follow information on the proposed work. It should state who is responsible for the removal of tree branches, stumps and waste, and should also include specifics of any trees which could be protected, and the steps necessary to get permission to carry out work on them. You should also make certain that VAT is included on the quote. You have a responsibility to employ only capable tradespeople to work on your property and trees, and it is crucial to understand that fact. This is stated under the "Common law duty of care responsibilities and sometimes liabilities under the Occupier's Liability Acts of 1957 and 1984."
PRIOR TO WORK BEGINNING - Checking whether any of your trees are protected, your selected Reigate tree surgeon should make certain that any tree work gets the go-ahead from the appropriate local authorities. Even protected trees need to be maintained in order to cut back dead or dying wood and ensure public safety, so finding a tree has protected status doesn't mean that work cannot be carried out.
If your property in Reigate is inside a conservation area then at least six weeks written notice must be given to the Local Planning Authority (LPA) prior to any work being undertaken. This notice isn't required if the tree trunk is under 75mm in diameter when measured at 1.5m from ground level. If the thinning or pruning of a protected tree's branches are needed to promote and sustain growth, written notice is also not necessary.
After conducting a complete assessment of your trees health, your chosen Reigate tree surgeon will decide on the required remedial treatment and how the required outcome can be achieved with safety in mind. This will involve completing a full risk assessment to include public areas, your property and any section of neighbouring properties that could be impacted by falling debris and branches. At this point, the level of protection needed and the amount of workers required will also be established. This is both PPE as well as other safety measures to keep the public and other property safe from damage or harm.
ON THE DAY OF WORK - Barriers and safety measures will be put in place before any tree felling, cutting of branches or climbing begins, to keep unauthorised persons and passers-by away from the area where work is going on. If there's a danger of falling debris into a public highway, passing traffic might need to be temporarily stopped.
Different kinds of work will demand that the tree surgeon has different levels of protection. When doing basic work with a chainsaw, to prevent cutting injuries to the legs, hands and torso, they will at the very least be wearing protective clothing. All workers involved in the operation should be wearing hi-vis clothing, and eye and head protection, at all times.
Climbing equipment and ladders will be necessary if any working at height is involved, and to help with the removal of high branches and heavy pieces of tree trunk, additional workers will be needed. It's recommended that you inform your next door neighbours of the need for unhindered access, as a pickup truck or skip for removing the waste will be stationed as close to the work area as possible.
UPON COMPLETION OF WORK - All of the branches and waste will be transported away and the whole area cleared of all debris, when all the tree work has been accomplished. A certificate of work done will then be prepared by your tree surgeon, especially where the trees are under a protection order, which can be signed off and a copy presented to you. Any safety measures that were put in public spaces can then be taken away, with highways and footpaths being re-opened to the public.
If you have any issues or problems with the completed work, you should first address them with the tree surgeon so that they can be rectified immediately. If your tree surgeon is a registered member of a professional trade association, and any further arbitration is required, you can receive help and advice from the Arboricultural Association or the International Society of Arboriculture in order to reach an acceptable conclusion.
Local Reigate tree surgeons are likely to have the dialling code 01737 and the postcode RH2. They'll operate in Reigate itself, as well as nearby areas like The Acres, South Park, Sidlow, Betchworth, Merstham, Lower Kingswood, Wrays, Buckland, Beare Green, Leigh, South Nutfield, Earlswood, Irons Bottom, Salfords, Redhill, Hooley, Mickleham, Horley, and these postcodes: RH2 0EH, RH2 0BY, RH2 0PG, RH2 0JU, RH1 2DQ, RH2 0JH, RH2 0PT, RH2 0JB, RH1 1AZ, RH2 0LE.
If you require this sort of service it's definitely a good idea to bring in a trusted tree surgeon. Reigate residents can greatly benefit from the knowledge and expertise offered by a trained professional.
Tree Care Accidents
The work that is tackled by tree surgeons in Reigate can be extremely dangerous. When working on trees, there is a high risk of injuries to both operatives and those on the ground, so all reasonable precautions must be implemented.
A large majority of fatal and major injuries are associated with falls from trees, the use of chainsaws, and being struck by a falling branch or tree, as reported by the HSE (Health & Safety Executive). Surprisingly, arborists and co-workers involved in tree care work are more at risk of injuring themselves seriously than those involved in the construction industry.
The most accident claims, in relation to insurance, are for falling from ladders, lifting injuries and being struck by objects (grapple hooks, trees, branches, cranes, ropes etc).
This is why choosing a seasoned Reigate tree surgeon is so vital when you have tree care work that needs doing. Unskilled workers trying to tackle tasks that they haven't been trained to do, accounts for most accidents in the tree care sector. Therefore, using a trustworthy and experienced Reigate company that has been trading in the area for several years, is the simplest way to avoid such issues.
Tree Transplanting Reigate
Moving trees and transplanting them to other areas has become a comparatively straightforward process since the development of vehicle mounted tree spades and other tree removal equipment. Removing a tree from your land does not have to involve chopping it down and digging out the roots; a professional tree moving service in Reigate can remove and re-plant even adult trees and repair the ground afterwards.
Transplanting a tree in Reigate is less stressful on the roots and wellbeing of the tree in the autumn and winter, but it can be achieved during the warmer summer season by soaking the ground thoroughly before removal. A huge mechanical tree spade is plunged down into the ground, and surrounds the main root-ball and then hauls the undamaged tree from its home. The tree can then be moved to its new location for re-planting, or left in temporary storage until it is ready to be replanted.
A specialist tree moving service in Reigate will communicate with the local authorities to make sure that local regulations and preservation orders are observed at all stages of the tree transplantation procedure.
Fundamental Skills for Tree Surgeons in Reigate
- To be able to undertake basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device.
- To be meticulous and pay close attention to detail.
- Have a good understanding of public safety and security.
- Have the ability to work with your hands.
- Be patient and have the ability to stay calm in times of stress.
- Be professional and able to complete work within the given timeframe.
- The cabability to work well with other people.
- Physical skills like movement and coordination.
- Be aware of the dangers and complexities involved with the various aspects of work.
- Excellent customer skills.
- Be capable of maintaining, repairing and using machinery and tools.
The Use of Chainsaws
The most dangerous and probably the most widely used tool employed by tree surgeons in Reigate, is the chainsaw. Because of their ease of use and portability, petrol powered chainsaws are the most preferred by professionals, although battery and mains electric versions are available. For heavy tree work, the only realistic option is to use petrol driven chainsaws, given that they are able to cut through tree limbs and trunks of any dimensions, and are extremely powerful and robust.
Essentially, a chainsaw is composed of a rotating motor-driven chain which has a series of sharp teeth for slicing through bark and wood. Chainsaws also come in a variety of designs, each having its own specific use - pole saws for long distance pruning and hard to reach branches, rear-handled for work at ground level (two handed) and top-handled for working at height (and which can be used with one hand).
Although holding a spinning blade whilst balancing precariously high up in a tree is definitely not the safest job in the world, it is pretty rare to see an experienced Reigate tree surgeon who doesn't use a chainsaw in their everyday work. Being fully trained in the safe use and maintenance of chainsaws is a key requirement for any professional tree surgeon, and is vital before they can even be considered for membership of the ISA or the AA (Arboricultural Association).
There are numerous different brands and models of chainsaw, but the most commonly used by professionals in the United Kingdom are Hyundai, Stihl, Makita and Husqvarna.
Storm Damage Reigate
At first glance, trees seem sturdy, strong and able to withstand pretty much anything that Mother Nature can throw their way. Certain tree species can continue to grow without any problem for hundreds (even thousands) of years, in particular sweet chestnuts, oaks and yews.
Extreme weather can however cause significant damage, and as well as the danger of falling tree limbs or branches, entire trees can topple over in certain situations. The primary enemy of, and danger to trees, is high winds, and with escalating frequency of violent storms and extreme weather events this form of damage has become more common in Reigate. Flooding or prolonged periods of rain will cause the soil around roots to become saturated, which can cause further issues for trees, as can heavy snowfall during wintertime.
To lessen the chance of issues with your trees in severe weather conditions, it's advisable to get a competent Reigate tree surgeon to check them out every now and then, and prune any dead, dying or overhanging branches.
To prevent taller trees being struck by lightning, and to protect nearby property and buildings which might be affected by "arcs" or side-flashes, it is also a good idea to install copper conductors, lightning rods, or other protection systems. Trees can be damaged, drastically weakened, or even killed by lightning strikes, they can be split down the middle, burnt to the ground, or left vulnerable to pests, disease or decay. While you may not imagine that lightning is all that common in Reigate, every year approximately 300 thousand lightning strikes occur throughout the United Kingdom.
To protect your trees from being damaged by storms and minimise the chances of severe consequences should an unsound tree fall down as a result of bad weather, ask your local Reigate tree surgery company what can be done. (Tags: Storm Damage Prevention Reigate, Storm Damaged Trees Reigate, Storm Damage Reigate).
Tree Surveys Reigate
There are various reasons why you could require a tree survey, and the most common is for development or property extension. As set out by British Standards BS5837 (2012), if you are clearing a piece of land to make way for an extension to an existing property or a brand new house in Reigate, and trees exist on that land, you may need to implement a tree survey. Tree surveys in Reigate should be conducted by a certified arborist or tree surgeon, and this holds true whether the tree survey is being performed on either a private or public property.
Within the specified area, a correctly done tree survey will glean a broad range of information about all of the trees. For instance:
- The number of trees.
- Tree management guidelines.
- The species of each tree.
- The existence of any TPOs.
- The spread of branches to the North, East, South and West.
- The health of the trees.
- The expected lifespan of the trees.
- A unique tree reference number for each tree.
- The ages of the trees.
- The diameter of each tree (measured 1.5m above ground level).
- The height of each tree in metres.
If you are doing work on an existing home or property in Reigate, and are not shifting the access points or service lines, or increasing the building's footprint, you probably won't need to carry out a tree survey. (Tags: Tree Survey Reigate, Reigate Tree Surveys, Tree Surveyors Reigate, Tree Surveys Reigate).
Ash Dieback
First reported in the United Kingdom in 2021, ash dieback is a deadly fungal disease that's expected to decimate around eighty percent of the current ash trees, over the next few years. Following the Dutch Elm Disease catastrophe, which killed off the United Kingdom's elm trees, ash dieback is set to have huge repercussions for our beloved countryside.
A fatal disease of the Fraxinus genus of trees, ash dieback has a particularly disastrous effect on the Fraxinus excelsior (common ash), British Fraxinus excelsior (common ash). Originally coming from Asia, the fungus which causes ash dieback is called Hymenoscyphus fraxineus.
Now present in most areas of Great Britain, ash dieback is dispersed by spores that blow on the wind, and released from the fruiting bodies of the fungus, and are able to travel for many miles.
The recognisable symptoms of ash dieback are:
- New shoots and leaves that are visibly dying during the growing season.
- New growth appearing from previously dormant buds (epicormic growth).
- Dark patches on leaves during the summertime.
- Dark brown necrotic lesions (often diamond shaped) form where branches connect to trunk, and the inner bark under the lesions looks brownish grey.
- Wilting leaves that turn black in colour and drop prematurely.
Even ash trees which are able to fight the disease, suffer continual attacks year-on-year and sooner or later succumb and die. There's not yet any cure or effective treatment for ash dieback, and because it's a disease which is airborne, no effective way of stopping it spreading.
If you have suspicions that a tree in your local community is contaminated with ash dieback, or you're anxious about a tree in your garden in Reigate, you should call in a local tree surgeon to verify the diagnosis, and you could then report it to the "Tree Alert Service" provided by the Forestry Commission, although they're presently only interested in cases in areas that were previously unaffected.
(Tags: Chalara Ash Dieback Reigate, Spotting Ash Dieback, Symptoms of Ash Dieback).Tree Surgery Tasks Reigate
Reigate tree surgeons can usually help with crown reduction in Reigate, root flare exposure Reigate, stump treatment, airspading, cabling, brush cutting services, tree pruning Reigate, woodchipping, waste removal Reigate, pollarding in Reigate, dead wood removal, cut sealing in Reigate, site clearance Reigate, crown removal, root removal, damaged tree cutting and removal Reigate, terraventing, tree lopping, arboriculture in Reigate, forestry management Reigate, commercial tree surgery, landscape clearing, staking in Reigate, tree reshaping, tree surveys, tree work, fruit tree pruning, conrolling pests, tree removal, woodland management and other tree surgeon services in Reigate, Surrey. Listed are just some of the tasks that are conducted by a local tree surgeon. Reigate providers will keep you informed about their entire range of services.
Tree Surgeons Nearby
Also find: Mickleham tree surgeon, Betchworth tree surgeon, Wrays tree surgeon, The Acres tree surgeon, South Park tree surgeon, Irons Bottom tree surgeon, Hooley tree surgeon, Buckland tree surgeon, Beare Green tree surgeon, Salfords tree surgeon, South Nutfield tree surgeon, Sidlow tree surgeon and more. The majority of these towns and areas are catered for by tree surgeons. Property owners in these areas can acquire estimates for tree surgery by going here.
Tree Care Services Reigate
- Reigate Tree Planting
- Reigate Air-Spading
- Reigate Tree Inspections
- Reigate Tree Planning
- Reigate Root Grinding
- Reigate Tree Maintenance
- Reigate Stump Grinding
- Reigate Shrub Maintenance
- Reigate Crown Thinning
- Reigate Vegetation Management
- Reigate Tree Dismantling
- Reigate Wood Chipping
- Reigate Tree Cutting
- Reigate Crown Reduction
More Reigate Trades: Needless to say, whenever you're having tree surgery done in Reigate, Surrey, you will probably be in need of other garden related services, and apart from a tree surgeon in Reigate, Surrey, you may also need block paving in Reigate, hedge shaping in Reigate, lawn mowing services in Reigate, patio layers in Reigate, local SKIP HIRE in Reigate, garden clearance in Reigate, garden shed builders in Reigate, landscape gardeners in Reigate, garden design and planning in Reigate, artificial grass installers in Reigate, weeding services in Reigate, soil irrigation in Reigate, gate fitters in Reigate, waste removal in Reigate, pond installers in Reigate, decking installers in Reigate, and other different Reigate tradespeople.
To obtain local information regarding Reigate, Surrey look here
Tree Surgery RH2 area, 01737.
Tree Surgery Reigate - Forest Management Reigate - Stump Grinding Reigate - Tree Removal Reigate - Tree Reshaping Reigate - Tree Management Reigate - Vegetation Management Reigate - Tree Surgeons Reigate - Arboriculture Reigate