Tree Surgeon Hertford

Tree Surgery and Tree Management

Hertford Tree Surgeon Hertfordshire: Trees in your garden and around your property in Hertford, add style, structure and substance to what can quite often be a largely two dimensional area. This is fine and dandy, but when trees are diseased, poorly maintained, or affected by extreme weather events, for example flooding or storms, issues can arise that need to be sorted. Seeking the advice and guidance of a qualified tree surgeon in Hertford, is the best option when there's work that needs doing on your trees.

Hertford Tree Surgeon Quotes (SG13)

Folks in Hertford who attempt to do tree work by themselves, or by using non-qualified individuals might cause a risk of damage to the trees, to property and to life. However, even for specialist tree surgeons who are acquainted with all the dangers, tree work is not entirely safe. Tree surgery is definitely not a task for amateurs, and on average there are 3 deaths and 140 severe injuries each year within the profession, making it one of the most hazardous jobs in the United Kingdom.

Local Tree Surgeon Hertford

There's also a threat to life from damaged or neglected trees in Hertford, seeing as around five people a year are killed in the UK by falling branches or trees. If property is damaged, or an injury occurs due to you hiring someone to perform tree work, you may well be liable for any compensation to any third-party. This is why using a trained Hertford tree surgeon to work on your trees is imperative. (All figures are from HSE UK).

PICKING A TREE SURGEON IN HERTFORD - A decent Hertford tree surgeon will likely be a member of at least one of the 2 major professional arboricultural bodies. Both the ISA (International Society of Arboriculture) and the AA (Arboricultural Association) offers a website where you can check up on the professional status and membership of any tree surgeon in Hertford. To determine whether any specific tree surgeon has Approved ARB Contractor status and has membership of either of these 2 bodies, you can check this webpage.

If there's a problem during or after any tree work has been accomplished you are able to contact these trade organisations for assistance in arbitration and for advice and help at any point.

Professional Tree Surgeons Hertford Hertfordshire

You shouldn't be frightened to decline the offer of a quotation from someone who you can't find on this directory list, since after all, it is an approved and fully qualified contractor who you are actually looking for. It is best to get a minimum of 3 different estimates from various companies in and around Hertford, when you have diligently checked their professional memberships and accreditations. You should ask the below questions while obtaining the quotations, making it abundantly clear that you need the answers due to the risks of the work involved:

  • Do you provide written quotations? Only ever accept a quote in writing. NEVER accept a verbal quote only.
  • What insurance cover is provided? Your tree surgeon ought to be able to produce an insurance certificate covering a minimum of £5 Million public liability, as outlined by the AA and ISA.
  • Would it be possible for me to contact somebody you have recently done work for, so that I can inspect your tree work? It's generally advisable to perform an independent examination of recently accomplished work.
  • Do you have documentary proof of your professional membership, qualifications and a NPTC/LANTRA certificate for the use of a chainsaw? The NPTC/LANTRA certificate is required by law for any tree worker who uses a chainsaw. National Diplomas and Certificates in Arboriculture are qualifications that could be held by a skilled Hertford tree surgeon.

On the written quote that you receive, you will need there to be clear and precise details of all the work that's being undertaken. Who's responsible for the removal and disposal of waste, tree branches and stumps should be stated, as should details about any trees which may be protected, and the steps required to obtain permission to carry out work on them. Unless you are a commercial entity, you should also make sure that VAT is included on the quotation. Understanding that you have a responsibility for employing only skilled people to work on your trees and property, is crucial. This is laid out by the "Common law duty of care responsibilities and sometimes liabilities under the Occupier's Liability Acts of 1957 and 1984."

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PRIOR TO WORK - Checking whether any of your trees are covered by a tree protection order (TPO), your chosen Hertford tree surgeon should ensure that any work can get the green light from the relevant local authority department. Finding that a tree has protected status doesn't signify that work cannot be carried out, since even protected trees require maintenance so as to cut back old or dying wood and ensure public safety.

If your property in Hertford is situated in a designated conservation area then a minimum of six weeks written notice is required to the Local Planning Authority (LPA) before any tree work can be performed. This is only required for trees with a trunk diameter of over 7.5cm in diameter, at a point 1.5 metres from the ground. It's also not necessary to give written notice if the branches of a protected tree need pruning or thinning simply to sustain and promote growth.

Tree Surgery Hertford (SG13)

After carrying out a thorough assessment of your trees health, your Hertford tree surgeon will decide on the necessary remedial treatment and how best and safely to achieve the required outcome. This involves carrying out a risk assessment to include public areas, your property and any section of a neighbour's property that could be affected by falling debris. At this point, the level of protection required and the number of workers needed will also be determined. To keep the public and other property safe from harm or damage, this will include both PPE and other safety precautions.

ON THE DAY OF WORK - To keep passers-by and unauthorised persons away from the area of work, barriers and safety measures should be put in place before any tree felling, cutting of branches or climbing is started. Traffic may have to be stopped temporarily if there is a danger of debris falling into a public highway.

The tree surgeon will need different degrees of protection based on the kind of work being completed. As the bare minimum when doing chainsaw work they need to be wearing special protective clothing to prevent serious cutting injuries to the legs, torso and hands. High-vis clothing, and eye and head protection, must be worn by all operatives involved in the work.

Extra operatives will normally be necessary to help in the safe removal of high branches and heavy pieces of tree trunk, particularly if any working at height is involved, and where safety climbing equipment and ladders are being used. A pickup truck or skip for removing the waste will be parked as close to the work area as possible, so it is recommended that you inform your next door neighbours of the need for easy access.

UPON COMPLETION OF WORK - When the tree work has been concluded all of the waste materials will be transported away and the area cleared of all debris. A certificate of work done should then be prepared by your tree surgeon, particularly where the trees are under a protection order, which can be signed off and a copy handed to you. If there were any public areas that needed safety measures, this protection can be taken away and paths and roads will be re-opened to the public.

If you've got any problems or issues with the finished work, you should first address them with your tree surgeon in order that they can be fixed straight away. If your tree surgeon is a member of a professional trade body, and any further arbitration is required, you can obtain advice and guidance from the International Society of Arboriculture or the Arboricultural Association so as to arrive at a satisfactory conclusion.

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Local Hertford tree surgeons will likely have the postcode SG13 and the telephone dialling code 01992. They'll operate in Hertford itself, as well as nearby areas like Little Amwell, Birch Green, Amwell Hill, Broadoak End, Hertingfordbury, Hertford Heath, Bramfield, Bayfordbury, Bengeo, Chapmore End, Ware, Marden Hill, Waterford, Hoddesdon, and these postcodes: SG13 7AN, SG13 7TS, SG13 7BJ, SG13 7TX, SG13 7HB, SG13 7JE, SG13 7HU, SG13 7HZ, SG13 7DR, SG13 7DT.

If you need this type of service it is certainly a good idea to bring in an approved tree surgeon. Hertford property owners can benefit greatly from the expertise offered by a trained professional.

Day to Day Tasks of a Tree Surgeon

  • Establish hazards presented by trees.
  • Maintain and service equipment like chainsaws and wood chippers.
  • Be adept with power tools and powered machinery.
  • Deal with clients and complete admin tasks.
  • Produce telephone or on-site quotes with the clients.
  • Clean up area on completion and remove waste products from customer's site.
  • Cut and chip branches and logs.
  • Assess the health of trees and create treatment plans.
  • Climb trees to remove or prune branches as required.
  • Fell and remove trees and grind stumps.
  • Tree planting and transplanting.
  • Produce tree survey reports for commercial and domestic customers.

Tree Surveys Hertford

Tree surveys could be necessary for a number of reasons, but most often when development or property extension is concerned. If, for example, you're clearing a piece of land in Hertford to prepare for the building of an extension to an existing property or a brand new home, and trees exist on that land, you might need to arrange a tree survey to BS5837 British Standards. Whether a survey is being conducted on a private or public property, it should be completed by an accredited Hertford tree surgeon or arboricultural surveyor.

A good deal of information about the trees within a specified area will be gleaned by a properly conducted tree survey. For instance:

  • The existence of any TPOs.
  • The diameter of each tree (taken 1.5m above the ground).
  • The number of trees.
  • The allocation of a unique reference number for each of the trees.
  • The ages of the trees (i.e. young, semi-mature, mature, over-mature and veteran).
  • The health of the trees.
  • The life expectancy of the trees.
  • The spread of the branches towards the North, East, South and West.
  • The height of each tree in metres.
  • The species of trees.
  • Guidelines for tree management.

If you're doing work on an existing property or home in Hertford, and are not changing the service lines or access points, or extending the footprint of the property, you will most likely not need to do a tree survey.

Ash Dieback (Hymenoscyphus Fraxineus)

A fungal disease affecting ash trees, that was first recorded in the UK in 2012, ash dieback (Hymenoscyphus fraxineus) is likely to wipe out around 80% of the current ash trees. Ash dieback is set to have a huge impact on our beloved countryside, piled onto the devastation caused by the Dutch Elm Disease (DED) outbreak.

A damaging disease of trees of the Fraxinus genus, ash dieback has a particularly devastating effect on the British common ash (Fraxinus excelsior). The fungus which causes ash dieback is named Hymenoscyphus fraxineus, and it originated in Asia.

Swiftly spread by tiny spores which can travel on the wind for many miles, ash dieback (or chalara ash dieback as it is sometimes known) is prevalent in most areas of the British Isles with mortality rates of up to 85 percent.

Ash dieback has an effect on trees of every age group and has symptoms such as:

  • Leaves with dark patches that develop during the summertime.
  • Dying shoots and leaves which are visible during the summertime.
  • Leaves that wilt, turn black in colour and fall early.
  • Dark brown lesions (often diamond shaped) form where limbs meet with the trunk, and the inner bark under the lesions looks brownish grey.
  • New epicormic growth appearing from previously dormant buds (common in stressed trees).

Some ash trees can ward off early infections, but as the disease returns year-on-year, they ultimately perish. At this time there's no clear approach for stopping the spread of achalara ash dieback, and there's no cure or effective treatment.

If you believe you have identified a tree suffering from ash dieback in your garden in Hertford, or somewhere else in the local neighbourhood, you can report it to the "Tree Alert Service" provided by the Forestry Commission, although the disease is so widespread all over the British Isles that they're really only interested in hearing about cases discovered in areas not previously affected. You can still however get in touch with a local tree surgeon, who can offer guidance on how to proceed.

Tree families affected: the Fraxinus genus (Fraxinus excelsior, EXTRAsafety inspections Hertford, hedge cutting Hertford, brush cutting Hertford, waste removal, tree planning Hertford, forestry management Hertford, dead wooding in Hertford, root grinding in Hertford, root flare exposure, tree surveys Hertford, felling of storm damaged trees, crown lifting, health assessments Hertford, landscaping, tree pollarding, site clearance, tree bracing, tree lopping, crown cleaning, arboriculture, tree reshaping Hertford, landscape clearance in Hertford, crown thinning, vegetation management Hertford, tree care, cut sealing, stump treatment, coppicing, pest management, woodland clearanceNINE).

Protecting Trees and Shrubs in the Wintertime

Protecting your shrubs and trees in winter is probably something that you haven't thought about too much, possibly assuming that the winter weather conditions in the British Isles aren't typically severe enough to justify this. The winter months can actually be a hard time for shrubs, plants and trees and even those that we think of as hardy can benefit from some additional protection in times of severe cold.

Although the majority of your trees will have already shed their leaves come winter in Hertford, it's strong winds that cause the biggest concern, and although they may offer less wind resistance, they might still be damaged. If you are concerned about the condition of a tree, or it seems like it may topple over, you should get in touch with a tree surgeon to examine it and carry out a risk assessment. Trees can also suffer damage because of heavy snow, so keep your eyes open for trouble in this sort of weather. Protection from frost and ice may be required for some shrubs and trees (especially ones that have been recently planted), and a deep layer of mulch spread around their bases will help keep their roots from freezing, and enable them to absorb moisture.

Invasive Tree Root Problems Hertford

Problematic Tree Roots Hertford Hertfordshire

You may face issues when some larger trees that have really aggressive root systems are growing too close to your Hertford house. Among the most commonplace problems are: damaged foundations, lifting patios and blocked drains. Species like willows, maples, elms and sycamores, are trees that have very invasive root systems.

If you happen to be planting new trees, ensure they're positioned far enough away from your drainage system, your house, patio areas and pathways, so that they don't cause problems in the future. If you are already experiencing problems with established trees which are growing too close to your dwelling, you can get guidance and advice by getting in touch with a local Hertford tree surgeon.

This is not really the type of task you should attempt to do by yourself, and simply hacking away at the problematic tree roots could kill off the tree or seriously affect it's overall health. A knowledgeable tree surgeon in Hertford will know which roots should be left in place, and which roots can be safely cut, so that any damage to property is minimised, and the tree is still able to get adequate water and nutrients to thrive and survive.

Cracks in underground drains are regularly caused by tree and shrub roots, because a consistent source of nutrients and water is present in these settings. Blockages and joint failure can occur, when minute tree roots grow into the joints of a drainage system, establish themselves and grow into huge root balls. Many Hertford tree surgeons will offer professional root removal solutions, which will probably include the use of high pressure jetting, manual rod clearance or mechanical equipment. (Tags: Invasive Tree Roots Hertford, Problem Tree Roots Hertford, Tree Root Problems Hertford, Drain Root Removal Hertford).

Dead-Wooding Hertford

Dead-wooding (or deadwooding) is a fundamental element of tree care, and all competent Hertford tree surgeons will carry out this procedure where necessary. When there is a risk of dying or dead branches falling onto homes, vehicles or pedestrians, dead-wooding will be conducted to remove the offending tree limbs. The most commonplace reasons for the branches of a tree dying off are a damaged root system, disease, light deficiency or pest attacks, and this is of course a completely natural process.

Whilst safety is of course the most frequent reason for dead-wooding, it's occasionally done to make the tree more visually appealing, or because the tree itself will benefit from the process. Too many dying, dead and damaged branches can attract disease and insect infestation, therefore eliminating these impaired branches can greatly improve the health of a tree. You can also improve a tree's appearance through this technique, as a tree with lots of dead wood can also look very unsightly.

As smaller dead branches present very little risk, only substantial ones will be cut out in most cases. Nonetheless, it may be essential to remove any dead branches that are more than 50 millimetres in diameter, where trees in Hertford hang over a park, a road, a house, a garden or a public space. (Tags: Deadwooding Services Hertford, Deadwooding Trees Hertford, Dead-Wooding Hertford, Deadwooding Hertford).

Wood Chipping Hertford

Wood Chipping Hertford

To reduce the vegetation, branches and tree limbs that tree surgery creates, the majority of professional Hertford tree surgeons will frequently use wood chipping devices. These powerful wood chipping machines can munch up as much as forty tonnes of material per hour, depending on which equipment is being used, though the most commonly used devices will process around five tons every hour.

Having many uses such as landscaping, wood pulp, biomass fuel, garden walkways, ecosystem restoration, weed prevention, cultivating mushrooms and mulch, the chopped down branches are also significantly easier to transport.

The majority of tree surgeons in Hertford will be very happy to let you have the wood chips which have been produced during the tree surgery work, if you have a good use that you want to put them to, if not they'll generally dispose of them or use them on other projects. Tree surgeons are the best source for wood chippings which you can use for various purposes in your garden, even if you do not need any tree surgery work doing on your property in Hertford. Wood chippings are quite often available from tree surgeons at no cost, although if you need to have them delivered there might be a modest fee.

Companies like Timberwolf, Hyundai, Forest Master and Forst, make some of the most popular wood chipping machines that are used in Hertford.

Health and Safety

Tree Surgery Safety Hertford Hertfordshire

The safety aspect is one of the principal challenges when you're doing tree surgery, as if carried out badly it can certainly be an extremely dangerous process. If the people engaged in the tree surgery are unqualified or inexperienced, there are a great many factors that can go awry such as falling timber and branches, an absence of head protection, not roping off the area to protect passers-by and vehicles, little fall protection, in the form of platforms, ropes and harnesses, not putting on hearing or eye protection and failing to put on cut resistant apparel (in particular leggings and boots). Due to these incompetencies, possibly in jeopardy are facilities on the street, the tree surgeon himself (person climbing the tree), garden outbuildings and fencing, vehicles, the groundsman, the building structure within the property, the actual tree, the people living in the property, passers by.

Essential Skills for a Tree Surgeon in Hertford

  • Good knowledge of public security and safety.
  • To be able to carry out basic tasks on a hand-held device or computer.
  • Be mindful of the complexities and dangers involved with the various aspects of tree work.
  • Be professional and able to complete work within the specified timeframe.
  • Be capable of using, repairing and maintaining machinery and tools.
  • Have the ability to work alongside other people.
  • To be meticulous and pay close attention to detail.
  • Physical skills such as movement and co-ordination.
  • Patience and the ability to stay calm and focused in times of stress.
  • Excellent customer skills.
  • Have the ability to work well with your hands.

Hedge Cutting Hertford

Hedge Trimming Hertford

Whilst focusing mostly on specialist tree care work, tree surgeons in Hertford are often also involved in the routine trimming and upkeep of hedges. Most gardeners will find conifer hedges like Leylandii tricky to deal with, as they grow tall very quickly - therefore a tree surgeon may be required for the work.

When hedges are poorly maintained and uncared for, they can get out of control and overgrown very quickly. Routine trimming is recommended if you do not want a hedge to run riot in your garden in Hertford, and as well as making the hedge stronger it will also make it more visually appealing.

You can help to make your whole garden look tidier by neatly clipping your hedges. And if you are considering selling your property sometime soon, tidy hedges may even add some value.

Dutch Elm Disease

Although Dutch Elm Disease (Ophiostoma novo-ulmi) isn't quite the problem that is was previously, over the past five decades or more it has killed millions of precious elm trees all around the UK. Accidentally introduced into Great Britain, in infected elm logs imported from Canada in the late nineteen sixties, Dutch Elm Disease (DED) is caused by the Ophiostoma novo-ulmi fungus which is spread by the elm bark beetle (particularly the Scolytus genus).

Through the movement of elm products such as elm crates, bark mulch, saplings, and logs with the bark on, it was spread rapidly through Britain after its initial arrival. This horrific disease did not only affect elms in the British Isles, but also decimated elm stocks in mainland Europe and North America. While the origins of DED are unknown, the suspicion is that it first originated from Asia (possibly Japan).

Generally first manifesting in early summer, the main signs of DED disease are:

  • Twigs with dark streaks beneath the bark.
  • Twigs turning into a "shepherd's crook".
  • Affected shoots dying back from the tips.
  • Clusters of yellow leaves that wilt and then fall.

As there are now very few sizeable elms in the British countryside, the favourite habitat of the beetle has been pretty much eradicated, which has resulted in a slowing of DED. There's now an ongoing project for the propagation of young elms that are so far resistant to Dutch Elm Disease.

You can get hold of your neighbourhood tree surgeon for advice and guidance, if you suspect you might have infected elm trees on your property in Hertford, or you can ask for a diagnosis from the THDAS (Tree Health Diagnostic and Advisory Service), for which there is a charge.

Trees affected - Ulmus and Zelkova.

Vectors - small beetles of the Scolytus and Hylorgopinus genera.

Cause - fungi Ophiostoma Novo-Ulmi and Ophiostoma Ulmi.

Crown Thinning Hertford

Tree Care Hertford

If you wish to reduce the overall weight of the crown, to cut down the stress put on specific branches caused by ice, gravity, snow, or wind, to minimize the wind resistance of the tree, to permit more light to pass through or to prevent the tree uprooting when it is windy, many of the small branches growing inside the outer crown of a broad leafed (Rather than conifer) tree are clipped in a technique that is often known as crown thinning. The shape and size of the tree are not changed by this, and the chances are that it will need to be done on a regular basis, as shoots constantly develop. Crown thinning should not alter the general shape and size of the tree, but needs to establish a uniform foliage thickness around consistently spaced limbs. (Tags: Crown Thinning Hertford, Tree Crown Thinning Hertford, Crown Thin Hertford)

Tree Surgery Tasks Hertford

Tree Surgery Tasks Hertford UK

Hertford tree surgeons can generally help with safety inspections Hertford, hedge cutting Hertford, brush cutting Hertford, waste removal, tree planning Hertford, forestry management Hertford, dead wooding in Hertford, root grinding in Hertford, root flare exposure, tree surveys Hertford, felling of storm damaged trees, crown lifting, health assessments Hertford, landscaping, tree pollarding, site clearance, tree bracing, tree lopping, crown cleaning, arboriculture, tree reshaping Hertford, landscape clearance in Hertford, crown thinning, vegetation management Hertford, tree care, cut sealing, stump treatment, coppicing, pest management, woodland clearance and other tree surgeon services in Hertford, Hertfordshire. These are just a small portion of the activities that are performed by a local tree surgeon. Hertford providers will let you know their entire range of services.

Contact a Tree Surgeon Hertford

Tree Surgeons Nearby

Also find: Bramfield tree surgeon, Marden Hill tree surgeon, Broadoak End tree surgeon, Bengeo tree surgeon, Bayfordbury tree surgeon, Little Amwell tree surgeon, Hertford Heath tree surgeon, Amwell Hill tree surgeon, Birch Green tree surgeon, Waterford tree surgeon, Hertingfordbury tree surgeon, Chapmore End tree surgeon and more. The majority of these towns and areas are covered by tree care companies. Home and property owners in these places can acquire tree surgery quotes by clicking here.

Tree Care Services Hertford

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Tree Surgeon Quotes Hertford Hertfordshire (01992)
  • Hertford Hedge Reduction
  • Hertford Tree Reduction
  • Hertford Crown Lifting
  • Hertford Hedge Planting
  • Hertford Vegetation Management
  • Hertford Wood Chipping
  • Hertford Eco-Plugging
  • Hertford Tree Watering
  • Hertford Tree Planting
  • Hertford Arboriculture
  • Hertford Tree Management
  • Hertford Tree Pruning
  • Hertford Tree Pollarding
  • Hertford Site Clearance

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(This tree surgeon Hertford content was revised and updated on 09-02-2024)