Our Tree Surgery Work:
Crown thinning
Whether in a garden or a park, a beautifully kept tree is always welcome. However, for the tree to retain its spirit and beauty, its upkeep is key. Crown thinning is a vital aspect of tree maintenance and the process ought to be carried out diligently.
Every tree no matter its size or age will have a crown. The crown is made up of branches and leaves that grow from the main trunk. The art of crown thinning lies in the deft removal of smaller, tangled, dead and overgrown branches that have affected the natural structure of the tree crown. Once removed or thinned, a more evenly balanced crown structure will allow for sunlight, water and air to reach the tree’s interior to boost its vitality and help maintain all-round tree health. A good example of the benefits of crown thinning can be found in the maintenance of fruit trees as the process enables the fruits to grow.
Not only does crown thinning benefit the tree but it could also help brighten up your garden too, as the thinning of overreaching branches could aid the sun in lighting up parts of your premises it was previously unable to reach.
Crown lifting
Sometimes the crown of a tree can cause several problems, in particular for domestic properties. This could mean anything from access to a parking space being obscured or a pathway becoming hazardous. To overcome such issues, crown lifting could be undertaken.
The process of crown lifting involves the complete removal of branches from the lower section of the tree crown. Following a successful crown lift, the canopy of the tree crown – which is the layer of leaves and branches that cover the ground – is cleared to a new height. Similar to crown thinning, crown lifting can also help increase airflow to the inner branches and leaves of a tree to improve its health and also that of any plants, hedges or shrubberies that may be surrounding it.
Crown reduction
When the shape and height of a tree’s crown become unsightly, the process of crown reduction ought to be considered. However, the crown reduction shouldn’t just mean the removal of overgrown sections of the tree crown. It ought to be a methodically planned practice which results in the strategic shortening of particular twigs and branches, usually on the uppermost portion of the crown, to maintain or decrease the tree height.
When carried out correctly, crown reduction helps to restore the natural shape and size of a tree whilst ensuring the tree’s future growth will be strong and vibrant due to the attentive pruning of the branches previously
Safety pruning
Safety pruning is the act of pruning a tree, hedge or shrubbery to meet arboriculture standards and to ensure the safe keeping of gardens, public spaces or places of work. Whilst it could be considered somewhat an umbrella term for the overall safe conditioning of various arboriculture aspects, a more concentrated definition could define the practice of safety pruning as work carried at ground level. This could include the reduction of thorny, overgrown hedgerows or the pruning of poisonous shrubs or bushes.
Tree removal
If the various practices of crown trimming aren’t viable perhaps the removal of a tree is needed. The techniques and methods by which trees are removed can vary due to the nature and variations of tree that exists. Other factors can include height, shape, size or location. For instance, a forty-foot tree in all its fullness during the peak of spring may need more time spent on it than one-half its size during the cold depths of winter.
The complete removal of a tree may be needed for many different reasons such as for health and safety, building subsidence, in response to nuisances covered by the law, like the obstruction of a road, high street or train line or in keeping with arboricultural standards.
Stump removal
If a tree has previously been felled and the stump remains then it is good practice to remove it. Especially if the reason for removing the tree primarily was due to concerns over building subsidence, as the roots of the tree will remain and could continue to cause a problem.
The most effective method of stump removal is by grinding the stump using a high-powered stump grinding machine. By employing such machinery the risk of ground disturbance is considerably reduced when compared to more labour-intensive practices such as diggers or mechanical winches. It is also more cost-friendly and less time-consuming than digging by hand.
Cable bracing
When healthy trees begin to pose potential dangers then cable bracing is employed to prevent accidents from happening. The technique involves looping cables made from durable materials such as polyamide and polyester around weakened branches to bind them to stronger sections of the tree trunk or stem. This method differs greatly from past practices in which an eye bolt would be attached to each end of the cable for it to then be screwed directly into the tree trunk to form a link. Whilst somewhat effective this method of bracing can not be achieved without creating a wound in the tree’s stem. Aside from the damage initially caused, over time there’s a risk of rot and decay emerging around the eye bolt and causing permanent damage to the tree and potentially causing it to fail.
Cable bracing is the most popular method when structural support for an ageing or damaged tree is needed. However, it can also be used when a tree fork or V-shape occurs. This can pose a particularly hazardous situation as the weaker stem that forms the fork or V-shape will eventually snap.
Due to the important nature of cable bracing, there are several details which need to be considered. Firstly, the species of the tree should be taken into account, as should its condition as this could have an effect on which system is used. Finally, how often the cable brace should be checked following the work is also very important.
Regeneration
The subject of regeneration has never been more topical. As the UK looks to achieve net zero emissions but 2050 the act of tree planting and forest regeneration should be in all of our thoughts.
The regeneration of land by way of tree or shrubbery planting should first be assessed by professionals as the creating of new treescapes to improve the benefit of both environment and society doesn’t come without potential problems. So thorough planning prior to the works beginning is essential. Such forethought may include the correct placement of trees and shrubberies to ensure health and longevity, soil testing and the thorough inspection of the environment where the potential regeneration will be taking place. However, once such checks have been carried out and the works completed the addition of trees, plants and shrubberies to a home, business or property can help transform a firmly barren space into a stunning garden landscape and a relatively low cost.
Dead-wooding
If a tree begins to look unwell there is a good chance that it may need dead-wooding before it’s too late. It isn’t always easy to spot deadwood on trees there are a few tell-tale signs to look for to indicate its presence. Leafless branches in the spring or summer months, large fungus growing up the stem and exposed bark on otherwise healthy trunks are all indicators of deadwood and could signal danger for the long-term wellbeing of a tree.
Whilst some instances of deadwood can be deemed as insignificant, if there is any potential danger from falling limbs or branches then dead-wooding should be undertaken to prevent as much. The skill of dead-wooding involves the complete eradication of problematic limbs or branches by a highly competent arboricultural professional who is trained in the field and can work safely at height whilst using high-powered machinery.
