Tree Surgeon Wickford

Folks in Wickford who attempt to do tree work themselves, or by using an unqualified operative could risk causing damage to property, the trees and to life. But even employing a qualified tree surgeon who's aware of all the risks does not mean that tree work is entirely safe. The reality is tree surgery is among the most hazardous jobs in Britain, with an average of one hundred and forty serious injuries and three deaths each year within the industry, so it is definitely not safe work for amateurs to do.

With around 5 people annually being tragically killed by falling branches and trees in the United Kingdom, even a damaged or poorly maintained tree can also pose a threat to life. If property is damaged, or an injury occurs due to you employing someone to do tree work, you could be liable for any compensation to any third-party. This is why using the services of a professional Wickford tree surgeon to work on your trees is very important. (The source of the above figures was HSE).

PICKING A TREE SURGEON IN WICKFORD - A certified tree surgeon in Wickford will likely be an approved member of at least one of the 2 principal trade bodies. You can check up on the membership and professional status of any tree surgeon on the websites of either the ISA (International Society of Arboriculture) or the AA (Arboricultural Association). This webpage enables you to check out if any particular tree surgeon has recognised ARB Approved Contractor status, and is a member of either of these organisations.

You will be able to speak to these industry bodies for mediation assistance and for help and advice, if there is an issue at any point during the tree work, or after it has been carried out.

If a tree surgeon who you can't find on this directory list offers to give you a price quote, it is recommended that you carry on with your search for an approved and qualified contractor, and tactfully decline their offer. When their professional memberships and qualifications have been thoroughly checked, you should try and get at least 3 different quotations from various companies in and around Wickford. There are various crucial questions that you need to ask while you are obtaining these quotes, and due to the risks involved in the work, you must tell them that you need to know the answers. You should for instance ask:

• Can I contact a recent person who you've worked for so that I can check the quality of your tree work? It's generally advisable to carry out an independent check on recently completed work.
• Can you provide documents to demonstrate that you've got the proper qualifications, membership of the ISA or AA, and also a certificate for basic chainsaw use from the NPTC/LANTRA? It's required by law that any tree worker who uses a chainsaw must hold NPTC/LANTRA certification. City & Guilds Certificates and National Diplomas in Arboriculture are qualifications that might be held by an experienced Wickford tree surgeon.
• Do you supply written quotations? Always get a quote in writing, and NEVER accept a quote that's only given verbally.
• What insurance cover do you provide? You shouldn't even consider a tree surgeon in Wickford with less than five million pounds public liability insurance as stated by the AA and ISA.

On the written quotation that you receive, you will need there to be clear and concise details of all the work that's to be undertaken. It should include details of any trees which might be protected, and the required steps to get permission to work on them, and also state whose responsibility it is to remove debris, tree branches and stumps. Unless you're a commercial business, you should also make sure that VAT has been included on the quotation. You have a responsibility to hire only skilled tradespeople to work on your trees and property, and it is vitally important to understand that fact.

PRIOR TO WORK - Making enquiries into the possibility of any trees being protected, your chosen Wickford tree surgeon should make sure that any work gets the go-ahead from the appropriate local authority department. Even protected trees require maintenance so as to cut back old or dead wood and ensure public safety, so finding a tree has protected status does not imply that work cannot still be carried out.

No less than 6 weeks written notice must be given to the Local Planning Authority before any tree work can be performed, if your property in Wickford is within a designated conservation area. However, tree stems of under 7.5 centimetres in diameter when measured at 1.5 metres from the ground are free from this requirement. Also, it isn't necessary to give notice if the branches of a protected tree need pruning or thinning simply to sustain and promote growth.

After carrying out a full assessment of your trees health, your Wickford tree surgeon will decide on the required remedial treatment and how the required outcome can be achieved with safety in mind. Your property, public spaces and any sections of neighbouring properties that could be impacted by falling debris will all be given a risk assessment. At this stage, the amount of workers required and the level of protection needed will also be ascertained. To keep property and the general public safe from harm or damage, this will include both PPE and other safety precautions.

ON THE DAY OF WORK - Safety measures and barriers should be put in place before any tree felling, climbing or cutting of branches begins, to keep unauthorised persons away from the area where work is going on. It may at some stage be necessary to stop the traffic temporarily, if there is any danger of branches and debris falling onto the road.

The tree surgeon will need varying degrees of protection based on the kind of tree work being carried out. At the very least they need to be wearing protective clothing to avoid cutting injuries to the legs, torso and hands, when doing chainsaw work. All operatives involved in the work should be wearing eye and head protection, and high-vis clothing, at all times.

Safety climbing equipment and ladders will be needed if any working at height is involved, and to help with the safe removal of high branches and large pieces of tree trunk, extra operatives will be necessary. For removing waste materials, easy access to the site will be needed. Therefore, it is advisable to inform your next door neighbours, as a skip or lorry will need to be stationed as close as possible to the workplace while work progresses.

AFTER COMPLETION OF WORK - When the tree work has been completed all the waste and branches will be taken away and the whole site cleared of all debris. A certificate of work done will then be created by your tree surgeon, especially in the case of any protected trees, which can be signed off and a copy handed to you. Roads and footpaths can then be re-opened to the public, with any safety measures in public spaces being taken away.

If you've got any issues or problems with the completed work, you should first take them up with the tree surgeon in order that they can be put right immediately. If your tree surgeon is a signed up member of a professional body, you can get advice and guidance from the AA or the ISA in order to come to an acceptable conclusion, if any further arbitration is required.

Locally based Wickford tree surgery services will probably have the phone code 01268 and the postcode SS11. They will operate in Wickford itself, along with nearby areas like Battlesbridge, Rayleigh, Pitsea, Little Burstead, Rettendon Common, North Benfleet, Runwell, Laindon, Crays Hill, South Woodham Ferrers, Rawreth, Basildon, Langdon Hills, Bowers Gifford, Downham, and these postcodes: SS11 7AB, SS11 7BN, SS11 7BG, SS11 7BH, SS11 7HA, SS11 7BA, SS11 7EN, SS11 7EX, SS11 7NL, SS11 8DN.

For this kind of assistance it is certainly best to bring in an accredited tree surgeon. Wickford homeowners can greatly benefit from the skills and expertise offered by a trained professional.

Skills and Knowledge Needed by Tree Surgeons in Wickford

• Have a methodical way of working.
• Have the ability to work well with your hands.
• Be mindful of the dangers and complexities involved in all areas of the work.
• Have the ability to repair, maintain and use tools and machinery.
• Have essential computer skills and know how to accomplish tasks with handheld devices.
• Be professional and able to complete work within the given timeframe.
• Good knowledge of public safety measures.
• Excellent customer skills.
• Be patient and have the ability to remain focused in stressful circumstances.
• Being able to work happily with other people.
• Physical skills like coordination and movement.

Protecting Shrubs & Trees in Winter

Protecting your trees and shrubs in winter is possibly a measure that you've not thought too much about, maybe assuming that the winters in the British Isles aren't normally harsh enough to justify this. Even the most hardy of plants, shrubs and trees can find it tough during the winter months, and a touch of extra protection during times of severe cold will unquestionably be a benefit.

Although the majority of your trees will have already shed their leaves come wintertime in Wickford, it is high winds and storms that are the biggest worry, and although they offer less wind resistance, they could still be susceptible to damage. If you are concerned about a tree's condition, or it seems like it could topple over, you must get in touch with a local tree surgeon to inspect it and carry out a risk assessment. Damaged trees can also be caused by heavy snow, therefore when this type of weather is expected, keep your eyes open for trouble. In the depth of winter, your trees and shrubs might require some protection from ice and frost. Laying a blanket of mulch around the stem bases will allow them to absorb moisture and stop the soil around the roots from freezing.

Pollarding Wickford

The process whereby a tree's size is substantially reduced because it's grown too big for its present surroundings, is referred to as pollarding. It can sometimes be used for aesthetic or practical motives to mould a tree into a particular form. Trees which grow alongside streets in Wickford are sometimes pollarded, as are those which are used for borders and in managed hedgerows. For folks who like trees this is not a particularly popular process, because the result tends to be rather harsh and bare, with the appearance of being virtually lifeless. However, in spite of the fairly unattractive appearance of recently pollarded trees like sycamores, maples, planes, limes, beeches, horse chestnuts and oaks, there's a beneficial feature to this process, in that such trees can be preserved when they'd otherwise need to be felled. (Tags: Pollarding Wickford, Tree Pruning Wickford, Tree Pollarding Wickford)

Safe Tree Surgery

One of the most important issues with doing tree surgery in Wickford is the health and safety aspect, because it can definitely be an extremely dangerous undertaking if done badly. If the so called tradespeople doing the work are untrained or inexperienced, there are a great many things that can easily go wrong such as not putting on eyesight or hearing protection, falling timber and branches, neglecting to cordon-off the work area to protect vehicles and passing pedestrians, failing to put on cut resistant apparel (specifically trousers and boots), no fall protection, in the shape of harnesses, ropes and platforms and inadequate head protection. Because of such incompetencies, potentially vulnerable are the tree surgeon himself (up the tree), the actual tree itself, the property owners, nearby structures, the street facilities, vehicles, passing pedestrians, fencing and garden sheds, employees on the ground.

A Tree Surgeons's Daily Tasks

• Establish hazards presented by trees.
• Cut and chip logs and branches.
• Deal with customers and complete administration duties.
• Evaluate tree health and treatments.
• Maintain and service equipment like wood chippers and chainsaws.
• Be proficient with power tools and powered machinery.
• Tidy work area upon completion and remove waste from client's site.
• Fell and remove trees and perform stump grinding.
• Produce tree survey reports for commercial and domestic clients.
• Plant trees and vegetation.
• Climb trees to remove or prune branches as required.
• Prepare on-site or telephone price quotes for clients.

Accidents Through Tree Surgery

As has been previously mentioned in this article, the work that is done by tree care professionals in Wickford can be very hazardous. With a high risk of injury to both operatives and passers-by, all reasonable safety measures should be taken when carrying out work on trees.

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

The most commonplace tree care accidents are lifting injuries, being struck by objects (grapple hooks, trees, cranes, branches, ropes etc) and slipping from ladders, in relation to insurance claims.

When work needs to be done on your trees, all this adds to the importance of choosing a knowledgeable Wickford tree surgeon. Quite often, accidents that happen in the tree care sector are down to untrained novices attempting work that they're not equipped for, nor skilled at. Therefore, try to always use a trustworthy and established company which has been working in the Wickford area for several years, to sidestep this sort of issue.

Eco-Plugging Stumps Wickford

If you wish to remove a substantial tree stump from your property in Wickford, the traditional technique used by most tree surgeons is known as stump grinding, which involves the use of large specialist machinery. However, these days "eco-plugging" is recognised as a cheaper solution to this issue. This method is not just helpful because it's cheaper, but also because it can be employed in hard-to-reach locations where there may be stump grinding accessibility issues.

Eco-plugging is an effective treatment for killing tree stumps and does not affect the surrounding trees and vegetation. Eco-plugs eliminate the tree stump by destroying the whole root system, and can be utilised in any weather, and throughout the year. Containing a type of granular glyphosate herbicide, eco-plugs are 95% to 100% effective, and is suitable for treating a wide array of trees. (Tags: Eco-Plugs Wickford, Eco-Plugging Wickford, Eco-Plugging Tree Stump Removal Wickford, Eco-Plug Treatments Wickford).

Dutch Elm Disease

While Dutch Elm Disease (Ophiostoma novo-ulmi) isn't quite the problem that is was previously, over the past fifty years or so it has wiped out millions of precious elm trees right through Great Britain. Accidentally introduced into Britain from Canada in the nineteen sixties, Dutch Elm Disease is spread by the elm bark beetle (Scolytus) and caused by a fungus called Ophiostoma novo-ulmi.

After arriving in Great Britain, it spread quickly through the transportation of elm products such as elm crates, saplings, mulching bark, and logs with the bark on. This horrific disease didn't only affect elms in the British Isles, but also ravaged tree stocks in mainland Europe, North America and New Zealand. While the origins of Dutch Elm Disease are uncertain, the suspicion is that it first originated from Asia (possibly Japan).

The symptoms of Dutch Elm disease typically first materialize in early summer, and manifest themselves as:

• Shoots that die back from the tip.
• A "shepherd's crook" reaction on affected twigs.
• Twigs with rings or spots in cross-section.
• Clusters of yellow leaves that wilt and then fall.

The spread of Dutch Elm Disease has been slowed down by the felling of dead, infected and dying trees, which has effectively decimated the favourite habitat of the elm bark beetle. New plants have also been propagated from trees that have so far proved resistant.

If you happen to have elm trees in your garden in Wickford, and are suspicious they may be infected with Dutch Elm Disease, you should contact your neighbourhood tree surgeon for guidance, or ask for a diagnosis from the THDAS (Tree Health Diagnostic and Advisory Service).

Tree Surgery Tasks Wickford

Wickford tree surgeons can normally help you with air spading, health inspections Wickford, tree dismantling Wickford, residential tree surgery, landscaping, tree lopping, forestry management, tree bracing, tree watering, eco plug treatments, crown raising in Wickford, fruit tree pruning, shrub maintenance, woodland management, emergency tree removal in Wickford, root removal, tree lightening protection in Wickford, coppicing, hazard assessments Wickford, shielding trees from grazing, tree reduction, crown thinning in Wickford, crown lifting, hedge trimming in Wickford, root flare exposure, tree fertilising, tree cabling Wickford, dead-wooding, repair of storm damaged trees, crown removal and other tree surgeon services in Wickford, Essex. Listed are just a few of the tasks that are conducted by a local tree surgeon. Wickford companies will keep you informed about their whole range of services.

Tree Surgeons Nearby

Also find: Runwell tree surgeon, Nevendon tree surgeon, Ramsden Heath tree surgeon, Rettendon Common tree surgeon, Crays Hill tree surgeon, Little Burstead tree surgeon, Downham tree surgeon, Bowers Gifford tree surgeon, Ramsden Bellhouse tree surgeon, Battlesbridge tree surgeon, North Benfleet tree surgeon, Rawreth tree surgeon and more. The majority of these villages and towns are served by local tree surgeons. Homeowners in the area can get estimates for tree surgery by clicking here.

Tree Care Services Wickford

Find a Tree Surgeon in Wickford Here

• Wickford Crown Raising
• Wickford Crown Thinning
• Wickford Tree Topping
• Wickford Tree Shaping
• Wickford Hedge Reduction
• Wickford Hedge Planting
• Wickford Tree Lopping
• Wickford Crown Lifting
• Wickford Crown Removal
• Wickford Root Decompaction
• Wickford Wood Chipping
• Wickford Tree Replanting
• Wickford Root Grinding
• Wickford Woodland Clearances

More Wickford Trades: Needless to say, when you happen to be having tree surgery done in Wickford, Essex, you are likely to be in need of other garden related services, and aside from a tree surgeon in Wickford, Essex, you could also need pond maintenance in Wickford, hedge shaping in Wickford, waste removal in Wickford, patio installers in Wickford, garden designers in Wickford, landscape gardeners in Wickford, garden decking in Wickford, garden shed installers in Wickford, SKIP HIRE in Wickford, garden wall construction in Wickford, garden digging services in Wickford, garden clearance in Wickford, fencers in Wickford, artificial grass installers in Wickford, driveway pavers in Wickford, grass cutting in Wickford, and other different Wickford tradespeople.

For the latest local info about Wickford, Essex click here

Tree Surgeon Jobs Wickford: Find Wickford tree surgeon jobs here: Wickford Tree Surgeon Jobs

Tree Surgery SS11 area, telephone code 01268.

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