Tree Surgeon Woking

Those who hire an unqualified operative, or try to do tree work for themselves, may risk damaging trees, property or even life. However, even for skilled tree surgeons who are aware of all the hazards, tree work is not entirely safe. In fact tree surgery is among the most dangerous jobs in Britain, with an average of 3 deaths and 140 severe injuries a year within the industry, thus it's definitely not safe work for amateurs to do.

With around 5 people a year being fatally wounded by falling trees and branches in the United Kingdom, even a poorly maintained or damaged tree can also present a danger to life. You may well be liable to third-party compensation claims as a consequence of your actions, if you employ somebody to do tree work and subsequently an injury occurs, or property is damaged. The above are just a few of the reasons why it is vitally important to use a certified tree surgeon to do the work on your trees. (The figures given were sourced from HSE UK).

PICKING A TREE SURGEON IN WOKING - There are 2 professional arboricultural bodies that a certified Woking tree surgeon should really be a signed up member of. Both the AA (Arboricultural Association) and the ISA (International Society of Arboriculture) offers a website where you can check up on the professional standing and membership of any tree surgeon in Woking. On this webpage you can check membership of either of these associations, which gives the tree surgeon in question, ARB Approved Contractor status.

You'll be able to speak to these professional organisations for arbitration assistance and for help and advice, if a problem emerges at any point during the course of the work, or after it has been completed.

You should not be afraid to decline the offer of a quotation from somebody who you're unable to find on this directory list, because after all, it's a fully qualified and approved contractor who you are actually looking for. It's best to get at least three different price quotes from various companies in the Woking area, once you've thoroughly checked their qualifications and professional associations. You should ask the following questions while getting the quotations, making it crystal clear that you need to know the answers because of the risks of the work involved:

• Would it be possible for me to contact a person you've recently done work for, so that I can assess your workmanship? It is generally a good idea to do an independent check on recently accomplished work.
• Do you supply written quotations? You should only ever accept a quote in writing. NEVER accept a verbal quote only.
• Exactly what level of insurance coverage have you got? You should not entertain a tree surgeon in Woking with any less than £5 Million public liability insurance as stated by the ISA and AA.
• Can you show a NPTC/LANTRA certificate for the use of a chainsaw, and documentary verification of your qualifications and professional memberships? Any operative/tree surgeon who uses a chainsaw, must by law have NPTC/LANTRA certification. Qualifications might include City & Guilds Certificates and Diplomas in Arboriculture.

On the written quotation that you receive, you'll need there to be clear and precise details of all the work that is being undertaken. It should mention whose responsibility it is to remove tree branches, stumps and debris, and should also include details about any trees which might be protected in law, and the steps needed to get permission to work on them. Verify that VAT has also been included on the quotation. You've got a responsibility for hiring only qualified people to work on your property and trees, and it is vitally important to understand that. This is outlined by the "Common law duty of care responsibilities under the Occupier's Liability Acts of 1957 and 1984."

PRIOR TO WORK BEGINNING - Checking into the possibility of any of your trees having protected status, your chosen Woking tree surgeon should ensure that any tree work gets the green light from the relevant local authority department. Discovering that a tree has got protected status does not signify that work can't be carried out, since even protected trees need to be maintained so as to cut back old or dying wood and ensure the safety of the public.

If your property in Woking is located in a conservation area then a minimum of 6 weeks written notice is required to the Local Planning Authority (LPA) prior to any work being carried out. This is only applicable to trees with a trunk diameter of over 75 millimetres in diameter, at a point 1.5 metres above ground level. If the thinning or pruning of a protected tree's branches are required in order to sustain and promote growth, written notice is also not necessary.

After carrying out a thorough assessment of your trees health, your Woking tree surgeon will determine the remedial treatment required and how the required outcome can be achieved with safety in mind. Public areas, your property and any parts of neighbouring properties that could be affected by falling debris will all be given a risk assessment. The level of protection needed and the amount of operatives required, will also be determined at this point. To keep the public and other property safe from harm or damage, this will include both PPE (personal protective equipment) and other safety measures.

ON THE DAY OF WORK - Before any climbing, cutting of branches or tree felling commences, barriers and safety measures will be put in place to keep passers-by and unauthorised persons away from the area of work. Passing traffic might need to be temporarily stopped if there's a risk of falling debris onto a public road.

The tree surgeon will need varying degrees of protection according to the type of tree work being executed. At the very least they're going to be wearing specialist protective clothing to prevent serious cutting injuries to the hands, legs and torso, when working with a chainsaw. All workers involved in the operation should be wearing head and eye protection, and high-vis clothing, at all times.

If any working at height is involved, ladders and safety climbing equipment will need to be deployed, and additional personnel will be on hand to assist in the removal of high branches and large sections of tree trunk. For hauling waste away from the work area, a skip or truck will be stationed as close to the work area as possible. This requirement for access is as good a reason as any for informing your neighbours of the work you are intending to do.

AFTER COMPLETION OF WORK - On completion of all the tree work, the whole site can be cleared of all debris, and all the waste materials can be taken away. A certificate of work done will then be created by your tree surgeon, particularly when the trees are protected, which can be signed off and a copy handed to you. If any safety measures were put in public areas they can now be taken away, with footpaths and roads being re-opened.

Issues or problems should be rectified immediately by approaching your tree surgeon directly. If your tree surgeon is a member of a trade association, you can get help and guidance from the International Society of Arboriculture or the Arboricultural Association in order to come to an acceptable conclusion, if there is any further dispute.

Locally based Woking tree surgeons are most likely have the postcode GU21 and the phone code 01483. They will operate in Woking itself, as well as nearby areas like Send, Hook Heath, Stonehill, Maybury, Woodham, Mayford, Wisley, Sheerwater, West Byfleet, Ottershaw, Chobham, Pyrford, Knaphill, Horsell, Mimbridge, Old Woking, Goldsworth Park, Addlestone, and these postcodes: GU21 3HP, GU21 3PL, GU21 3AT, GU21 3JD, GU21 3PZ, GU21 3NT, GU21 3LE, GU21 3DT, GU21 3QY, GU21 3HF.

For this type of assistance it's definitely advisable to use an accredited local tree surgeon. Woking home and property owners can benefit greatly from the knowhow and expertise that a seasoned professional can offer.

Dutch Elm Disease

A fungal disease which has killed tens of millons of elm trees throughout Great Britain during the past fifty years or more, Dutch Elm Disease (Ophiostoma novo-ulmi) is not quite the problem that it was at one time. Caused by the fungus Ophiostoma novo-ulmi which is spread by the elm bark beetle (particularly the Scolytus genus), DED (Dutch Elm Disease) was imported into the UK unintentionally in the late Sixties from Canada.

Through the nationwide movement of elm products like saplings, mulching bark, crates, and logs with the bark still attached, it was quickly spread through the UK after first arriving. Dutch Elm Disease did not only affect Great Britain, but also decimated the stocks of elm trees in continental Europe, North America and New Zealand, it is believed to have originated from Asia (possibly Japan).

The first symptoms of Dutch Elm Disease are:

• Dark rings or spots in the cross-section of twigs.
• Shoots that die back from the tip.
• Foliage that turns yellow, shrivels and falls.
• Twigs that turn into a "shepherd's crook" shape.

It typically begins to appear in early summer.

The spread of Dutch Elm Disease has been slowed down by the felling of dead, dying and infected trees, which has essentially eradicated the beetle's favourite habitat. There's an ongoing project for propagating young trees that are resistant to Dutch Elm Disease.

If you happen to have elms on your property in Woking, and are suspicious that they might be affected by Dutch Elm Disease, contact your neighbourhood tree surgeon for guidance, or ask for a diagnosis from the Tree Health Diagnostic and Advisory Service.

Trees affected - Ulmus and Zelkova.

Vectors - beetles of the Scolytus and Hylorgopinus genera.

Cause - fungi Ophiostoma Novo-Ulmi and Ophiostoma Ulmi.

Accidents Through Tree Surgery

As was pointed out earlier, the work that tree surgeons in Woking do, involves a considerable level of danger. When work is being done on trees, there is a clear risk of injuries to both operatives and those on the ground, so all possible safety measures must be taken.

As reported by 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 tree or branch. In actual fact, people working in tree care have a higher chance of injuring themselves seriously than those in construction.

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

This should all help you to understand why it is so critical to hire an experienced tree surgeon in Woking. In the tree care sector, a lot of accidents are down to unskilled workers trying to carry out tasks that they are not trained to do, or capable of. So, try to always use an experienced and reputable Woking company who have been working in the local area for a number of years, to sidestep this issue.

Wood Chipping Woking

To process the branches, tree limbs and vegetation that tree surgery generates, the majority of competent Woking tree surgeons will regularly use wood chipping devices. Depending on the equipment being used, these powerful wood chipping machines can gobble up as much as forty tonnes of material every hour, although approximately 5 tonnes each hour will be processed by the more frequently used models.

Chipped down tree branches are obviously easier to transport, taking up a lot less space in the tree surgeon's trailer or truck, and can in addition be used for mulch for gardens, landscaping, mushroom cultivation, biomass solid fuel, ecosystem restoration, garden walkways, weed prevention and wood pulp, to name but a few.

If you decide that you wish to keep some of the wood chippings that result from your tree surgery project, most Woking tree surgeons will be happy for you to keep them. If you have no use for them, they will take them away for use on other assignments, or appropriately dispose of them. As I'm sure you'll appreciate by reading this post, tree surgeons are a reliable source for wood chippings which you can use in your garden in Woking, whether you have tree surgery work that needs doing or not. Wood chippings are quite often available from tree surgeons free, although if you need to have them delivered there might be a modest fee.

Popular makes of wood chipping machines include Crytec, T-Mech, Forest Master and Timberwolf.

Stump Grinding

If you have a requirement for specialised services like stump grinding in Woking, ensuring you employ a tree surgery company with the correct knowhow and tools is crucial. The finest Woking tree surgeons will understand that every single bit of the stump must be eliminated down to a depth of at least 12 inches. Working with the right machinery means they will be able to remove stubborn stumps and roots within a few millimetres of structures and walls without without damaging them. This tailor-made grinding equipment is so multifaceted that it can even clear away stumps which are tucked away in passageways, alleys and similarly inaccessible places. If you're removing a big tree the stump left over could be fairly substantial and no matter what you are planning to use the resulting space for, the likelihood is that the leftover stump will need to be extracted well below surface level.

Firewood/Logs Woking

Of course, you might need a tree surgeon for an entirely different reason, as they can be an excellent source for firewood and logs in Woking. Since tree surgeons spend most of their days cutting down branches and trees, I suppose this is no great surprise.

Recently cut down branches and logs are often available "free to collector" from some Woking tree surgeons, who are simply happy to get rid of them. Other local tree surgeons, who have enough space to store them, will dry and season the logs and sell them off by the bag or lorry load, and will sometimes deliver them to your home.

Logs having a moisture content of below twenty percent are best for burning on your log burner or open fire, and these should have been left to dry out for 12 months or more. Typically tree surgeons in Woking will have stocks of hardwood logs, and the benefit of these is that they give a sustained burn, and provide many hours of heat. The drawback of hardwood is that it can be quite challenging to get lit, so if you are able to get hold of some softwood logs, these are wonderful for getting your fire burning.

A Tree Surgeons's Everyday Duties

• Cut and chip branches and logs.
• Plant trees and vegetation.
• Fell and remove trees and grind stumps.
• Tidy up work area on completion and remove waste from client's site.
• Evaluate tree health and treatment.
• Be adept with power tools and powered machinery.
• Establish hazards presented by trees.
• Climb trees to remove or prune branches as required.
• Produce on-site or telephone quotes for clients.
• Deal with clients and complete administration tasks.
• Produce tree survey reports for commercial and domestic customers.
• Maintain and service equipment like chainsaws and chippers.

Storm Damage Woking

Of all the things that grow in our gardens, trees give the impression of being the sturdiest, strongest and the most likely to withstand the vicissitudes of Mother Nature. The lifespan of most tree species far outstrips that of animals or humans, and actually some varieties such as oaks, yews and sweet chestnuts can live and continue to grow happily for hundreds of years.

Extreme weather conditions can however cause substantial damage, and as well as the constant danger of falling branches or limbs, trees can even fall down completely in certain situations. The main enemy of, and danger to trees, is high winds, and with increasing numbers of extreme weather events and severe storms this kind of damage has become more commonplace in Woking. Soil that becomes saturated during floods or extended periods of rain can be another problem, as can heavy snowfall in winter.

It's recommended that you get a competent Woking tree surgeon to check out your trees to reduce the chance of issues with your trees in times of severe weather, they will prune and remove any dead or excessively long branches that could be an issue.

Larger trees can also have lightning rods, copper conductors, or other lightning protection systems installed, to reduce the chances of them being struck by lightning and to prevent nearby property and buildings being affected by "arcs" or "jumps" from one conductive path to another. Lightning strikes can drastically weaken trees, making them more susceptible to pest attacks and disease, and even kill them in some circumstances. While you might not think that lightning is all that common in Woking, each year about 300,000 strikes occur throughout Great Britain.

To protect your trees from storm damage and lessen the chances of serious consequences should an unstable tree fall down as a result of extreme weather conditions, ask your local Woking tree care specialist what can be done.

Removing Tree Stumps Woking

After having a sizeable tree felled and removed in Woking, you'll be left with a further problem - what to do with the tree stump. In certain circumstances it might be acceptable for you to leave the stump in place until it rots and breaks down by itself. However, a large stump could take several years to rot away, and could even send out suckers in an effort to regrow itself. Protruding tree stumps can also be a trip hazard, an eysore and can attract undesirable pests.

Stump grinding and stump removal are the 2 key options, if you do opt to do away with the tree stump entirely. In the following few lines, we will be focusing on the various methods of removal.

There are basically 3 methods of removing a tree stump - digging out by hand, chemical treatments and burning. You could make use of any of these techniques if you are intending to remove the stump by yourself. If you are intending to get a tree surgeon to do the job, they're usually going to favour the aforementioned stump grinding method, but a chemically based treatment like eco-plugging may also be suggested.

Burning a Tree Stump: Take great care if you choose this approach to stump removal, because stump burning can be dangerous and could contravene local legislation. Several one inch holes will need to be drilled into the tree stump, and over a period of several days regularly topped up with vegetable oil. Charcoal or logs should then be stacked around the stump and set alight. A fire like this should never be left unwatched, and should be monitored until safely burnt out. When the fire has finally burnt out, you need to ensure that it's fully extinguished and cooled off, after which you will be able to manually dig out the remnants of stump and roots.

There are also other stump burning methods, such as digging out underneath and lighting a fire in the hollowed-out root bowl. If your tree stump is near to a building, fences or other trees, you shouldn't use any of these burning techniques.

Chemical Stump Killers: A strong chemical solution like Vitax SBK Stump Killer, Roundup Tree Stump Remover or Resolva Xtra Tough Tree Stump Killer, will be required if you decide to go down the chemical treatment route. It is vital that you follow the manufacturer's instructions to the letter when applying any of these chemical substances, because they can be very toxic and dangerous. Your tree stump will take several weeks to rot down and can then be chopped up and removed with an axe and a spade.

Stump Digging: Digging up a stump by hand will require an assortment of tools such as loppers, a handsaw, a pointed spade and a chainsaw. It involves digging down to uncover the roots, cutting the roots with loppers or saws, and finally freeing the stump, or making it easier to lift out. For the final freeing process you may need to get hold of a winch. This type of work is not suited to the faint-hearted or unfit, as it's tedious and tiring.

Protecting Shrubs and Trees in Winter

While the winter climate is seldom harsh enough to warrant protecting your shrubs and trees, it is certainly worth looking at as a precaution. In fact, even plants, trees and shrubs that we generally consider to be hardy, can benefit from some added protection in the colder winter months.

When you've got trees in your garden in Woking, it's high winds that cause the biggest concerns, and they could still be at risk even though many of them will already have shed their leaves come winter, offering less resistance to wind. If a tree on your property is swaying in the wind, or has been damaged by gales, a local tree surgeon must be brought in to carry out an examination. Trees and tree branches can also suffer damage due to heavy snowfall, so be on the lookout for damage in this kind of weather. Protection from ice and frost may be required for some trees and shrubs (in particular recently planted ones), and a deep layer of mulch round their bases will help keep their roots from freezing, and allow them to continue absorbing moisture.

Tree Surgery - Safety Considerations

One of the most important concerns with tree surgery in Woking is the safety aspect, as this is a dangerous process if done badly. If the individuals doing the project are inexperienced or incapable, there are plenty of factors that can lead to disaster such as little fall protection, in the shape of ropes, platforms and harnesses, falling branches and timber, not using hearing or eye protection, not cordoning off the area to safeguard passers-by and vehicles, an absence of head protection and failing to wear cut resistant clothing (in particular trousers and boots). Due to such inadequacies, potentially at risk are the property owners family, the groundsman, garden outbuildings and fences, vehicles, the building connected to the property, the tree surgeon (up the tree), the street facilities, the actual tree itself, pedestrians.

Crown Thinning Woking

Removing lesser live branches towards the outer region of the tree's crown, though not transforming the overall size or shape of the tree, has the name crown thinning. This is meant to generate a consistent foliage density, which itself achieves particular aims such as: to lessen the total weight of the crown of the tree, to lower the wind resistance of the tree, to cut down the stress put on particular limbs because of wind, gravity, ice, or snow, to stop the tree uprooting in blustery weather or to enable more sunlight to pass through. A uniform foliage density surrounding consistently spread out branches ought to be the tree surgeon's goal when carrying out crown thinning, it should not transform the all round structure and size of the tree.

Management of Vegetation

It's not only the maintenance and removal of trees that your nearby Woking tree surgeon will be happy to assist you with, but also any sort of proliferating vegetation which is jungling up your land or garden. Some tree surgeons will be willing to remove shrubs, bushes, overgrown vegetation and weeds which might be thriving near to sheds, pathways, drives, buildings or garages, and generally causing a hassle. If you're to manage your garden effectively then all this ever increasing growth needs to be cut down at least once a year, and if you find you've got the time and inclination then this is unquestionably a task that you may do by yourself if you are fit enough, or you could ask a local tree surgeon to call once a year to keep it in shape. Vegetation control is a must if you are going to maintain safe and easy entry to every part of your property and if this is forgotten the vegetation will soon get out of control and take away the enjoyment of your garden. Besides everything else your garden will look a picture when properly maintained. (Tags: Vegetation Management Woking, De-Vegetation Services Woking, Vegetation Control Woking)

Tree Surgery Tasks Woking

Woking tree surgeons can generally help with tree pollarding in Woking, tree bracing, tree maintenance, tree lopping, woodland management, stump removal, landscape clearance, health inspections in Woking, waste removal, decompaction, pest control, tree removal, root pruning, tree reduction, woodland clearance Woking, stump treatment, tree watering, arboriculture, soil terraventing, site clearance, tree planting, woodchipping in Woking, hedge laying, formative pruning, tree surveys, tree waste removal, hazard assessments, commercial tree surgery, tree pruning, coppicing Woking and other tree surgeon services in Woking, Surrey. Listed are just a selection of the tasks that are performed by a local tree surgeon. Woking providers will inform you of their entire range of services.

Tree Surgeons Nearby

Also find: Mayford tree surgeon, Pyrford tree surgeon, Goldsworth Park tree surgeon, Horsell tree surgeon, Old Woking tree surgeon, Maybury tree surgeon, Stonehill tree surgeon, Send tree surgeon, Mimbridge tree surgeon, Ottershaw tree surgeon, Wisley tree surgeon, Woodham tree surgeon and more. Most of these places are served by tree surgeons. Homeowners in the region can acquire tree surgery quotations by clicking here.

Tree Care Services Woking

Find a Tree Surgeon in Woking Here

• Woking Dead Wooding
• Woking Arboriculture
• Woking Crown Thinning
• Woking Tree Topping
• Woking Vegetation Management
• Woking Woodchipping
• Woking Tree Pruning
• Woking Root Decompaction
• Woking Tree Surveys
• Woking Tree Pollarding
• Woking Stump Removal
• Woking Crown Reduction
• Woking Stump Treatment
• Woking Tree Maintenance

For local info on Woking, Surrey go here

Tree Surgery GU21 area, (dialling code 01483).

Woodland Management Woking - Root Removal Woking - Tree Surgeons Woking - 01483 - GU21 - Tree Care Woking - Crown Lifting Woking - Tree Surgery Woking - Vegetation Control Surrey