Tree Surgeon Richmond upon Thames

Those who hire an unqualified person, or attempt to do tree work themselves, may risk damaging trees, property or even life. But even using an experienced tree surgeon who knows all the hazards doesn't necessarily mean that tree work is entirely safe. There are an average of a hundred and forty serious injuries and three deaths per year within the industry, making it one of the most hazardous jobs in Britain and certainly not for amateurs to try.

A poorly maintained or damaged tree can also present a risk to life, with around five people each year being tragically killed by falling trees or branches in the United Kingdom. You may be liable for any compensation to a third-party as a consequence of your actions, if you hire someone to do tree work and an injury occurs, or property is damaged. This is why it is imperative to hire a skilled tree surgeon to undertake the work on your trees in Richmond upon Thames. (Figures sourced from HSE).

A decent Richmond upon Thames tree surgeon will likely be a member of at least one of the two major trade bodies. You can view the membership and professional standing of any tree surgeon in Richmond upon Thames on the websites of either the ISA (International Society of Arboriculture) or the AA (Arboricultural Association). On this page you can check membership of either of these 2 bodies, which gives the tree surgeon in question, recognised ARB Approved Contractor status.

If there is a problem during the course of the tree work, or after it has been accomplished you're able to contact these trade organisations for mediation assistance and for guidance and help.

If any tree surgeon who you cannot find on this directory offers to provide you with a quotation, you should respectfully decline their offer of work and carry on with your search for an approved contractor. When their professional memberships and qualifications have been meticulously checked, you should try and get at least 3 quotes from different companies in and around Richmond upon Thames. There are several crucial questions that you need to ask while you are gathering the quotes, and because of the risks of the work involved, you must make it abundantly clear that you really need the answers. You should for instance ask:

• What is your level of insurance cover? As stated by the AA and ISA, your tree surgeon ought to be able to show you a certificate covering at least £5 Million public liability insurance.
• Can you provide me with a quotation in writing? Only ever accept a quote in writing. NEVER accept a verbal quote only.
• Can I contact some past clients so that I can inspect the quality of your work? It is generally advisable to do an independent examination of recently accomplished work.
• Can you show documentary verification of your professional membership, qualifications and a NPTC certificate for chainsaw use and maintenance? Any tree surgeon/worker who uses a chainsaw, must by law hold NPTC/LANTRA certification. Certificates and National Diplomas in Arboriculture are qualifications that could be held by a skilled tree surgeon in Richmond upon Thames.

Clear and accurate details about all the work that's to be undertaken should be included on the written quote. It should include specifics of any trees which might be protected, and the necessary steps to get permission to work on them, and also state who's responsible for the removal of tree branches, stumps and debris. You should also make certain that VAT is included on the quote unless you're a commercial entity. It is very important to recognise that you've got a responsibility to hire only trained 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 BEGINNING - Your chosen Richmond upon Thames tree surgeon should enquire whether any of your trees are protected and take the appropriate steps to ensure that any tree work can get the green light from the local authorities. Even protected trees need maintenance so as to cut back old or dead wood and ensure the safety of the public, so finding a tree has protected status does not imply that work cannot be carried out.

A minimum of six weeks written notice is required to the Local Planning Authority (LPA) prior to any work being performed, if your property in Richmond upon Thames is within a conservation area. This notice is not required if the tree trunk is less than 7.5 centimetres in diameter when measured at 1.5m above the ground. Notice is also not a requirement if pruning or thinning of a protected tree's branches is needed to promote and sustain growth.

After assessing the health of your trees, your chosen Richmond upon Thames tree surgeon will determine the necessary treatments and how the required outcome can safely be accomplished. Public areas, your property and any section of a neighbour's property that could be affected by falling debris and branches will all be given a risk assessment. At this stage, the amount of operatives needed and the level of protection required will also be ascertained. This is both personal protection equipment and other safety precautions to keep property and the general public safe from damage or harm.

ON THE DAY OF WORK - Barriers, cones and safety measures should be put in place before any cutting of branches, tree felling or climbing commences, to keep passers-by and unauthorised persons away from the work area. Where there is the chance of branches and debris crashing onto a highway, it may be necessary to temporarily halt the traffic.

Dependent on the kind of work that is called for a tree surgeon will need different degrees of protection. When doing basic tree work with a chainsaw, to avoid cutting injuries to the hands, torso and legs, they will as a bare minimum be wearing protective clothing. All operatives involved in the work must wear high-vis clothing, and head and eye protection, at all times.

If working at height is involved, safety climbing equipment and ladders will need to be used, and additional operatives will be there to assist in the removal of high branches and large sections of tree trunk. A skip or other method of transporting the waste materials away will be parked as close to the work area as possible, therefore it's recommended that you inform your nearby neighbours of the need for easy access.

UPON COMPLETION OF WORK - Once the work has been finished all the waste materials can be transported away and the site cleared of any debris. Your tree surgeon will then sign off and give you a certificate of work done, especially in the case of any protected trees. Highways and footpaths can then be re-opened to the public, and any safety measures places in public spaces taken away.

Issues or problems should be put right immediately by approaching your tree surgeon directly. If your tree surgeon is a member of a professional trade association, you can receive help and advice from the International Society of Arboriculture or the Arboricultural Association so as to reach a satisfactory solution, if there is any further dispute.

Local Richmond upon Thames tree surgeons are most likely have the telephone code 020 and the postcode KT2. They'll work in Richmond upon Thames itself, along with nearby areas like Mortlake, Hounslow, North Sheen, St Margarets, Brentford, Shepherds Bush, Grove Park, Hampton Hill, East Sheen, Gunnersbury, Ham, Wimbledon, Kingston-upon-Thames, Twickenham, Isleworth, and these postcodes: TW10 5BG, TW10 5LY, TW10 5DJ, TW10 5EZ, TW10 6DJ, TW10 5LD, SW14 7BT, TW1 2JQ, TW10 5ED, TW10 5DZ.

For this type of assistance it's unquestionably a good idea to employ a competent tree surgeon. Richmond upon Thames home and business owners can benefit greatly from the expertise and knowhow that are the trademark of a seasoned professional.

A Tree Surgeons's Daily Duties

• Prepare on-site or telephone price quotes with the customers.
• Work with customers and complete administrative tasks.
• Climb trees to prune or remove branches.
• Cut and chip branches and logs.
• Tidy up area upon completion and remove waste products from client's site.
• Be proficient with power tools and other powered machinery.
• Tree planting and transplanting.
• Service equipment like chainsaws and chippers.
• Identify hazards posed by trees.
• Produce tree survey reports for both domestic and commercial customers.
• Evaluate tree health and treatment.
• Fell and remove trees and grind stumps.

Accidents Through Tree Surgery

As has been previously stated on this page, the work that is tackled by tree care professionals in Richmond upon Thames can be very dangerous. All reasonable safety measures should be taken when carrying out work on trees, because most tree work involves a high risk of injury to both operatives, co-workers and passers-by.

According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the majority of major and fatal injuries are related to falls from trees, the use of chainsaws, and being struck by a falling branch or tree. The startling fact is that arborists and tree care specialists are more at risk of being seriously injured than workers involved in the construction industry.

The most common tree care accidents when it comes to insurance claims, involve falling from ladders, lifting injuries and being struck by objects (ropes, cranes, grapple hooks, branches, trees etc).

All this highlights the importance of employing a qualified Richmond upon Thames tree surgeon when work needs to be done on your trees. Quite often, accidents that occur in the tree care industry are down to unqualified operatives trying to do tree work that they're not equipped for, or skilled at. Using an established and reputable company that's been operating in the Richmond upon Thames area for several years, is the easiest way to sidestep such issues, and get your tree work completed safely.

Hedge Trimming Richmond upon Thames

Whilst focusing primarily on specialist tree care work, tree surgeons in Richmond upon Thames are often involved in the maintenance and routine trimming of hedges. Using a professional tree surgeon could be a big advantage when work is needed on conifer hedges (Leylandii for instance), which can often reach heights that are too tall for most gardeners to deal with, needing specialist equipment to manage successfully.

Pretty quickly getting out of control, a hedge that is poorly maintained or neglected will soon become overgrown. If you allow a hedge to overrun your garden, it can be tough to resolve later on, therefore routine clipping makes sense for both the aesthetic appeal and health of your hedge.

You can help your entire garden and home to look neat by tidily clipping your hedges. And if you're considering selling your property in the near future, tidy hedges might even add some extra value. You should also be able to get hedge trimming services in Mortlake, Hounslow, North Sheen, St Margarets, Brentford, Shepherds Bush, Grove Park, Hampton Hill, East Sheen, Gunnersbury, Ham, Wimbledon, Kingston-upon-Thames, Twickenham, Isleworth, and and of course Richmond upon Thames.

Protecting Trees in the Wintertime

Although the winter climate is seldom harsh enough to warrant protecting your shrubs and trees, it is certainly worth considering as a precautionary measure. Winter can in fact be a hard time for shrubs, trees and plants and even those that we think of as hardy will benefit from a bit of additional protection during times of intense cold.

High winds and storms can cause the biggest problems when trees are involved, and although most of your trees will have shed all their leaves come winter, they might still be susceptible in extreme conditions. If the weather in Richmond upon Thames is windy, and a tree on your property looks damaged or in danger of falling, it is recommended that you call in a tree surgeon to assess whether any remedial action is required. Damage to trees can also result from heavy snow, so when this sort of weather is on the cards, be on the lookout for trouble. A substantial layer of mulch around the base of shrubs and trees (particularly recently planted ones), will help to keep the roots frost-free and stop them from becoming dehydrated.

Skills and Knowledge Needed by a Tree Surgeon in Richmond upon Thames

• The ability to work successfully others.
• Physical skills like coordination and movement.
• Good customer skills.
• Have the ability to work with your hands.
• Be aware of the dangers and complexities involved with the various aspects of work.
• Be professional and able to complete work within the specified time frame.
• Have an organised and methodical working approach.
• To be able to perform basic tasks on a hand-held device or computer.
• Have the ability to repair, use and maintain machines and tools.
• Good knowledge of public safety.
• Be patient and have the ability to stay calm and focused in stressful situations.

Air-Spading Richmond upon Thames

There are numerous issues that could make the health of your trees a concern, however problems with a tree's root system are frequently the cause. So as to check for soil compaction, root rot, or other issues, a professional Richmond upon Thames tree surgeon may need to access the root system of your tree.

In the past this was fairly tricky, due to the likelihood of root damage during the digging down process. To efficiently break down and clear away compacted soil without damaging tree roots or utilities, a contemporary system which is frequently used is "air spading".

The soil around tree roots can get compacted by construction work, heavy foot traffic or passing vehicles, and this is known to have a negative effect on the health of a tree. When a tree is "stressed" it can become more prone to attack by insects, pests and diseases, and this stress can be caused by a lack of water and nutrients. Air spading is also good for resolving root flare problems, when the flare at the base of the stem becomes covered with too much soil, causing tissue breakdown, and heightening the possibility of root rot.

This clever process involves the use of an air-spade tool and an air compressor which directs air into the soil at speeds of up to twelve hundred miles per hour, the air enters the spaces in the soil and immediately breaks it up, whilst leaving tree roots and nearby utilities undamaged. Immediate inspection can take place, as the powerful flow of air blows the soil away from the roots. A less compact covering of chip mulch and fertiliser can then be introduced to rejuvenate the tree, and a solution found for any problems. (Tags: Air-Spade Investigations Richmond upon Thames, Air-Spade Richmond upon Thames, Air-Spading Richmond upon Thames).

Tree Surgery Tasks Richmond upon Thames

Richmond upon Thames tree surgeons will likely help you with vegetation management Richmond upon Thames, tree bracing, tree topping Richmond upon Thames, damaged tree removal in Richmond upon Thames, brush cutting, root decompaction Richmond upon Thames, hedge reduction, waste removal, tree transplanting in Richmond upon Thames, safety inspections Richmond upon Thames, retrenchment pruning in Richmond upon Thames, root removal, crown lifting Richmond upon Thames, stump removal, tree management, woodchipping, fruit tree pruning, root pruning, tree staking, pollarding, tree fertilising Richmond upon Thames, hedge laying, tree lopping, root grinding, tree cutting, woodland management, landscaping in Richmond upon Thames, tree replanting, crown removal, hazard assessments and other tree surgeon services in Richmond upon Thames, Greater London. These are just a few of the activities that are carried out by a local tree surgeon. Richmond upon Thames providers will inform you of their whole range of services.

Tree Surgeons Nearby

Also find: Kingston-upon-Thames tree surgeon, Hampton Hill tree surgeon, St Margarets tree surgeon, East Sheen tree surgeon, Ham tree surgeon, Shepherds Bush tree surgeon, Mortlake tree surgeon, North Sheen tree surgeon, Grove Park tree surgeon, Gunnersbury tree surgeon and more. Pretty much all of these towns and areas are catered for by tree care companies. Property owners in the area can obtain quotes for tree surgery by going here.

Tree Care Services Richmond upon Thames

Find a Tree Surgeon in Richmond upon Thames Here

• Richmond upon Thames Hedge Planting
• Richmond upon Thames Stump Removal
• Richmond upon Thames Tree Planting
• Richmond upon Thames Crown Raising
• Richmond upon Thames Crown Thinning
• Richmond upon Thames Tree Reshaping
• Richmond upon Thames Tree Pollarding
• Richmond upon Thames Tree Watering
• Richmond upon Thames Crown Reduction
• Richmond upon Thames Vegetation Management
• Richmond upon Thames Tree Inspections
• Richmond upon Thames Crown Removal
• Richmond upon Thames Dead Wooding
• Richmond upon Thames Hedge Reduction

To find out local info about Richmond upon Thames, Greater London click here

Tree Surgery KT2 area, telephone code 020.

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