Tonbridge Tree Surgeons (TN9): We all like to look at trees, and having trees growing in our garden is an additional bonus for adding colour and beauty, for providing a home for birds and wildlife and for offering pleasant shade on hot summers days. However, trees are living things and can get too large for our gardens in Tonbridge, suffer damage in windy conditions or become unhealthy and diseased. If you are having concerns about your trees in Tonbridge, the person to call is a tree surgeon.
Playing an important role in the maintenance and general care of trees, tree surgeons offer services to both domestic and commercial clients in the Tonbridge area. Tree related services such as: felling, inspections and hazard assessments, the safe planting of trees, the pruning of weakened, dead or invasive branches, as well as general tree maintenance, are just a few examples of what a qualified Tonbridge tree surgeon can provide.
However, a tree surgeon's work doesn't finish with trees alone. Additional responsibilities of a tree surgeon in Tonbridge may include hedge trimming, maintenance and care and stump removal. If you've any reservations about the structural integrity of a tree, the best person to call is a tree surgeon, as they are easily able to assess and prepare a report on possible threats, and provide guidance on what should be done next.
This is definitely something that must only be handled by a professional, because tree surgery is a hugely dangerous task. Even though avoiding the costs and going for the do-it-yourself approach might seem tempting, this would definitely not be a wise decision by any stretch of the imagination. So as to carry out this type of work, tree surgeons have to be physically fit, experienced and qualified.
Working at height is always hazardous, and using dangerous chainsaws and power tools while high up in the air and suspended in a tree is no exception. So, you can understand why it is not an activity for beginners! To carry out a tree surgery project, a gang of tree surgeons all experts in their field, will generally be involved, and this is likely to consist of both a ground crew and climbers. An unqualified individual would find it virtually impossible to execute the work with anything close to this level of competence, experience and risk assessment.
The first step following deciding that you need the assistance of a tree surgeon is acquiring a good one in Tonbridge. But, how should you do this? Well, a few things should be checked, for instance what qualifications they have and how much it will cost. Below, we will be looking at just some of the things that you should look for when selecting a tree surgeon in Tonbridge.
To reassure you they're competent and correctly trained, you firstly need to make certain that they've got the necessary certifications. The main governing body issuing accreditations to tree surgeons is the NPTC (National Proficiency Tests Council). The following certificates should be a minimum requirement for any tree surgeon in Tonbridge:
- NPTC 308 (CS39) - Aerial cutting of trees using free-fall techniques.
- NPTC 203 (CS31) - Fell & process small trees up to 380mm diameter.
- NPTC 206/306 (CS38) - Climb a tree and perform aerial rescue.
- NPTC 201/202 (CS30) - Maintenance of the chainsaw, on site preparation, and basic cross-cutting.
Having these certifications both shows you that they've a good level of training, and provides you with the peace of mind that the task will be carried out in a successful and safe manner, despite the fact that there is no legal requirement for tree surgeons to hold these qualifications. Forestry workers, arborists and tree surgeons must always carry a comprehensive First Aid kit and have some First Aid qualifications, because of the risks of falling from height and catastrophic bleeding.
Getting some quotations will be the next step, as well as checking the cost breakdown. It is best to obtain 2 or 3 quotations from different Tonbridge tree surgeons. You might notice that the disposal of the significant amount of waste frequently produced by tree maintenance and surgery will sometimes not be included in the costs quoted. The process of removing this waste can involve substantial cost and inconvenience to the customer, so if it's possible to have the tree surgeons remove this themselves, it would certainly be preferable.
Also, when meeting up with potential tree surgeons in Tonbridge, ensure you are ready to ask loads of important questions regarding your requirements. You will, for example, need to know who's going to be doing the actual work, and who will be coming onto your property. Is it going to be a team of workers or just one person working alone? Can you meet them beforehand? Are my home or my neighbours going to be impacted? What's the timescale for the work? What tree removal or surgery methods will be used on the tree?
If you ask all the right questions, you are less likely to receive any unexpected surprises down the road.
Also, listen carefully to how your tree surgeon speaks and what they say. Pay special attention to how they describe the work they are intending to do, since this can give you clues about their level of professionalism. If your so called 'tree surgeon' throws in the phrase 'lopping and topping', this is likely to be somebody to avoid, because this kind of expression is associated more with cowboys and rogue traders, who know little or nothing about the modern approaches to tree surgery. Terminology such as 'crown thinning', 'pruning', 'crown lifting', 'dead wooding' and 'crown reduction', will be what you hear from a professional, experienced and skilled tree surgeon in Tonbridge. While simply using the correct terms is not always indicative of a person's ability, it can give useful clues about your tree surgeon's measure of knowledge and experience.
To sum up, when you're contemplating tree maintenance or tree surgery in Tonbridge, it's always worth considering a variety of different tree surgeons for the best results. This should help you in finding the right person for the task, and one that will make sure all your needs are fully catered to in a pre-agreed timeframe, and with safe practice at the forefront of their mind.
Local Tonbridge tree surgeons are likely to have the telephone code 01732 and the postcode TN9. They'll work in Tonbridge itself, as well as nearby areas such as Leigh, Hildenborough, Speldhurst, Five Oak Green, Upper Haysden, Parkers Green, Higham Wood, Bidborough, Hadlow, Barden Park, Southborough, Tudeley, Hilden Park, East Peckham, Penshurst, and these postcodes: TN10 3PS, TN10 3BG, TN10 3NX, TN10 3AU, TN10 3LG, TN10 3JG, TN10 3EW, TN10 3ET, TN10 3NY, TN10 3QP. Checking this will make certain that you're accessing a local tree surgeon. Tonbridge home and business owners will be able to utilise these and various other comparable services.
If you require this sort of assistance it is certainly better to use a competent tree surgeon. Tonbridge homeowners can benefit greatly from the skills and dexterity that are the trademark of a trained professional.
Firewood & Logs Tonbridge
Tree surgeons are usually a great source for firewood or logs in Tonbridge, if you are searching for this useful commodity. Since tree surgeons spend most of their life chopping down trees and branches, I suppose this is no great surprise.
If you're fortunate, you might find a tree surgeon in the Tonbridge area who gives branches and logs away free to collectors, these will frequently be "green" and in need of drying out. Others will sell off their logs by the tonne or in bags, and these will generally be fully seasoned and dried logs, that are ready to burn right away.
Logs having a moisture content of less than 20% are perfect for burning on your log burner or open fire, and these will have been left to dry out for a year or more. Tree surgeons in Tonbridge will mainly have stocks of assorted hardwood logs and these are terrific for a long, sustained burn that will generate heat for three or four hours. The drawback of hardwood is that it can be quite tricky to light, so if you are able to get your hands on a few softwood logs, these are terrific for initially getting the fire burning.
Essential Skills for Tree Surgeons in Tonbridge
- Have necessary computer skills and know how to complete basic tasks with handheld devices.
- To be meticulous and pay attention to detail.
- Be patient and have the ability to stay calm in stressful situations.
- The capacity to work successfully other people.
- Good knowledge of public security and safety.
- Be mindful of the complexities and dangers involved with the various aspects of work.
- Customer service skills.
- Have the ability to work well with your hands.
- Be professional and capable of completing tasks within a specified time frame.
- Physical skills like coordination and movement.
- Have the ability to repair, maintain and use tools and machinery.
Dead-Wooding Tonbridge
The practice of dead-wooding is a vital element of tree care in Tonbridge, and any experienced tree surgeon will be able to offer you this service. Dead-wooding calls for the removal of dead and rotting branches which may pose a danger to pedestrians, buildings or vehicles. Some of a tree's branches can die off due to a number of reasons, the most widespread being disease, light deficiency, damage to the root system or pest attacks.
Even though safety is obviously the usual reason for dead-wooding a tree, it is sometimes necessary to make the tree more visually appealing, or because the tree itself will benefit. An excessive number of damaged, dead and dying branches can encourage the spread of disease and insect infestation, consequently the removal of these offending branches can greatly improve a tree's health. Trees that have a lot of dead wood also look unsightly, therefore to improve its appearance, this can all be removed.
As the smaller dead branches present a minimal risk, only the largest ones will be taken out in many instances. Although, where a garden, a road, a public space, a house or a park in Tonbridge is overhung by trees, any dead wood of more than 50 millimetres diameter might need to be removed. (Tags: Deadwooding Tonbridge, Deadwooding Surgery Tonbridge, Deadwooding Trees Tonbridge, Dead-Wooding Tonbridge).
A Tree Surgeons's Day to Day Tasks
- Tidy up area upon completion and remove waste products from client's site.
- Create on-site or telephone quotes with the customers.
- Produce tree survey reports for commercial and domestic clients.
- Be proficient with power tools and powered machinery.
- Establish hazards presented by trees.
- Fell and remove trees and perform stump grinding.
- Service equipment like wood chippers and chainsaws.
- Tree planting and transplanting.
- Deal with clients and complete admin tasks.
- Chip and cut branches and logs.
- Climb trees to prune or remove branches as required.
- Assess tree health and treatment.
Woodland Clearance Tonbridge
The clearance of woodlands in the Tonbridge area is a delicate process that can have numerous restrictions and regulations. A specialist tree surgeon contractor in Tonbridge can offer a full end to end service that will observe all covenants and laws on the land, and also clear the area in an environmentally friendly way.
A tree surgeon will check if there are any ecological constraints, special planning permissions or felling restrictions by carrying out a full habitat survey and liaising with local authorities. If it's found that protected plant or animal life is on the site to be cleared, it is possible to relocate these species, on approval from the appropriate authorities.
The specialist mulching, chipping and felling equipment that's employed in woodland clearances means that it is far more efficient and cost effective to call on a certified tree surgeon to complete the project.
Wood Chipping Tonbridge
To break down the tree limbs, vegetation and branches that tree surgery generates, most competent Tonbridge tree surgeons will use wood chipping machines on a regular basis. These awesome wood chipping systems can gobble up as much as 40 tons of material per hour, depending on what equipment is being used, though the most frequently used machines will process nearer to five tons per hour.
As well as providing a handy material that can be used for a range of purposes including; mulch in gardening, weed prevention, landscaping, garden walkways, wood pulp, mushroom cultivation, ecosystem restoration and biomass fuel, chipping down the branches in this way makes them far easier to transport.
Most tree surgeons in Tonbridge will be delighted to let you keep the wood chippings which have been produced during your tree surgery work, if you've got a good use for them, otherwise they will usually take them away to use on other landscaping projects. Tree surgeons are a good source for wood chippings that you can use for various purposes throughout your garden, even if you do not need any tree surgery work doing on your property in Tonbridge. Certain tree surgeons will be willing to let you have wood chippings free, others will charge a fee, especially if you want them delivered.
Timberwolf, Forest Master, T-Mech and Forst, are among the most popular makes of wood chipping machines. (Tags: Wood Chipping Equipment Tonbridge, Wood Chipping Services Tonbridge, Wood Chips Tonbridge, Wood Chipping Tonbridge).
Removal of Tree Stumps Tonbridge
When you've a tree that needs chopping down and removing on your property in Tonbridge, there is also a stump to think about. You may be contemplating using the stump as a garden seat for example, and may be happy enough to leave it in place until it eventually rots away. However, a sizable tree stump could take a number of years to break down, and could even produce suckers in an attempt to regrow itself. Tree stumps can also be an eyesore, be a trip hazard, and can attract undesirable pests.
Stump grinding and stump removal are the two main choices, if you do elect to do away with the stump totally. In the next few sentences, we will be considering the different methods of removal.
There are in essence 3 methods of getting rid of a tree stump - chemical treatment, burning and digging out by hand. If it's your intention to perform the tree stump removal yourself, any one of these procedures could be an option. Tree surgeons themselves will usually go with the aforementioned stump grinding solution, but may offer the alternative of a chemical stump removal treatment like eco-plugging.
Stump Digging: The method of digging out a tree stump by hand is relatively self-explanatory, and requires shoveling out out as much of the soil as you can from around the base and roots, sawing through any main roots with a chainsaw or handsaw, and ultimately freeing the stump so that it can be lifted out. A cable ratchet winch may be needed to complete this process. This is exhausting and tedious work.
Burning Tree Stumps: Burning a tree stump isn't usually recommended, and could conflict with legislation in your area, so take great care if choosing this technique. The burning process comprises drilling out several holes into the tree stump, filling and topping them up with vegetable oil over a period of several days until soaked. You should then pile charcoal up around the tree stump and set it alight. But, this must be monitored constantly and not left to its own devices. As soon as the burning process is complete, you should make certain that the fire is fully extinguished, and when it is no longer hot you will be able to dig out and clear away the burnt remnants of stump and roots.
An alternate method is digging out all the soil from below the stump and setting a fire in the void created underneath. If the stump is in close proximity to fences, a building or other trees, you should never use any of these burning methods.
Chemical Stump Killers: A powerful chemical liquid like Resolva Xtra Tough Tree Stump Killer, Vitax SBK Stump Killer or Roundup Tree Stump Remover, will be needed if you opt to go with the chemical treatment option. When using any of these products you should closely follow the directions, as these chemicals can be incredibly hazardous. Your tree stump will take quite a few weeks to break down and can then be removed with a spade and axe.
(Tags: Stump Removal Techniques Tonbridge, Tree Stump Removal Tonbridge, Removal of Tree Stumps Tonbridge, Removing Tree Stumps Tonbridge).The Use of Chainsaws
Perhaps the most commonplace tool used by experienced tree surgeons in Tonbridge, the chainsaw, in unskilled hands, is also the most dangerous. Due to their ease of use and portability, petrol powered chainsaws are the most preferred by tree care professionals, although battery and mains electric versions are available. For substantial tree work, the only real choice is to use petrol driven chainsaws, as they're able to effortlessly cut through branches and trunks of any size, and are extremely robust and powerful.
A chainsaw is basically composed of a revolving engine-driven chain which is lined with a set of teeth that readily cut through the bark of a tree and the inner wood. For the various different operations that are called for, there are different types of chainsaw, pole saws for hard to reach branches and long distance pruning, top-handled for working at height (and which can be operated with one hand if required) and rear-handled for working on the ground (two handed).
Whilst being high up in a tree with a rapidly spinning blade in your hand is a fairly dangerous activity, you'll seldom see an experienced Tonbridge tree surgeon who doesn't make use of a chainsaw. In order to gain membership of the AA (Arboricultural Association), being fully trained in the maintenance and safe use of chainsaws is one of the main conditions.
The most popular brands of chainsaw used in the UK by professionals are Makita, Stihl, Husqvarna and Hyundai, although there are many different brands.
Coming Soon: Tree pruning Tonbridge.
Leaving a Review
Glowing online reviews are the lifeblood of any business in Tonbridge, and having flattering ones can be the difference between a possible customer selecting a particular company or going with a competitor. If you've received a good standard of work, you might want to take some time to thank them by giving a positive review of their performance. Both prospective future customers and the business itself can gain benefits from you relaying your first hand knowledge in this way. You might think about how reviews helped you decide when you were first trying to find someone to do your work. It doesn't actually matter how professional a certain company's website looks, you might have looked elsewhere if there were no favourable reviews to support it.
But, when you're on a business's own website, exactly how much faith can be placed on reviews that are displayed? In order to push their services, are such reviews penned by a member of the company, or are they composed by real customers?
Rather than trusting these, you can head over to Google My Business reviews, where you will find more frank and genuine reviews on businesses and services in Tonbridge. Trusted, as this also impacts on the search engine rankings of a business, this is THE review website to establish the reputation of any company. You could also consider visiting Bing Places for Business when seeking to leave a review for a local company in Tonbridge, and this is far and away the biggest rival to Google My Business reviews. In order to raise the profile of a company that successfully worked on your tree surgery project, you can leave an honest review on either these websites, which will in addition generate an outline of their reliability and standards, which can be helpful for others seeking similar services. Company reviews could can just as easily be left on Facebook and Twitter pages, which are excellent spots leaving comments. The advertising strategy of any small company in Tonbridge will rely heavily on such social media sites. Your positive reviews can help to strengthen their marketing message.
You can of course go 'old school' and create a hand-written thankyou letter. Still useful in an online world, these letters can be photographed or scanned for use on the company website, or added to a portfolio of reviews that can be used in face to face meetings with potential clients. The incentive for you is the fantastic feeling that you'll get, knowing that you've in some small way helped a local business get a foothold in a highly competitive marketplace and hopefully gain more customers.
Tree Surgery Tasks Tonbridge
Tonbridge tree surgeons will likely help you with vegetation management, crown reduction, crown cleaning, waste removal in Tonbridge, commercial tree care Tonbridge, tree management, woodchipping in Tonbridge, retrenchment pruning, tree planning Tonbridge, landscape clearance, damage restoration in Tonbridge, tree care services, decompaction, air spading, monitoring of tree health, tree work in Tonbridge, tree topping, stump grinding, tree felling, tree lightening protection Tonbridge, woodland clearances, domestic tree care Tonbridge, pollarding in Tonbridge, shielding trees from grazing, tree watering Tonbridge, root pruning in Tonbridge, root removal, woodland management, cabling in Tonbridge, brush cutting, crown raising Tonbridge, tree replanting Tonbridge, hedge cutting Tonbridge, tree surveys, fruit tree pruning Tonbridge and other tree surgeon services in Tonbridge, Kent. These are just an example of the tasks that are carried out by a tree surgeon. Tonbridge professionals will be delighted to keep you abreast of their entire range of services.
Tree Surgery Apprenticeships - Courses - Training Tonbridge
For those who love the outdoors, going into a career in a profession like tree surgery can be extremely satisfying and rewarding. Alternatives like gaining a tree surgery apprenticeship, taking a course in university, commencing at the bottom (maybe as a groundworker) and working your way up, enrolling for a college course or subscribing to a private course are available to those who are hungry to be a tree surgeon. When they are on offer, tree surgery apprenticeships in Tonbridge can be applied for whilst still attending school. Private courses and college courses in tree surgery are available throughout Great Britain and are open to individuals of all ages. A number of related university courses are available in forest management, woodland ecology & conservation, countryside management, arboriculture and forestry, and people with the correct qualifications (ordinarily one to three "A" levels) can shoot for foundation degrees, higher national diplomas and degrees. If you aren't tempted by any of those solutions, you may prefer to do some voluntary work so as to get a bit of practical tree care experience. You could try calling the Forestry Commission, the National Trust, the Tree Council or the Woodland Trust, to determine what may be available in the Tonbridge and wider Kent area. This brief article was produced to assist anybody trying to find out "how to become a tree surgeon in Tonbridge", with a bit of luck it's helped you out. The National Careers Service website is the best place to head for in order to read far more info on ways to become a tree surgeon. (Tags: Tree Surgery Apprenticeships Tonbridge, Tree Surgery Courses Tonbridge, Tree Surgery Training Tonbridge)
Obtaining Information and Help
When you are checking out local Tonbridge tree surgeons, you should ask questions such as: Can you give references from satisfied clients? Are you joined to a reputable professional body (i.e. The International Society of Arboriculture or the Arboricultural Association)? Do you have public liability and employment insurance? Does your work adhere to the British Standard (BS3998)? Do you and your workers have the required certificates and qualifications (for tree management and the use of chainsaws)? Will you provide me with a written quotation? to make certain they know precisely what they're up to and that they will not cause irreparable damage to your prized trees. If you aren't provided with acceptable answers to any or all of these questions, you'll want to look elsewhere for a tree surgeon.
To find an abundance of handy advice about things to look for in a great tree surgeon, coupled with a comprehensive directory of professional tree surgeons in the United Kingdom, you need to visit the Arboricultural Association website. Another site providing a "verify credentials" tool (here) and a "find an arborist (tree surgeon)" tool, is the ISA, where there is obviously a lot more information about tree surgery and management. You can also find a lot of details on tree surgery as a profession by visiting the Wikipedia "Arborist" section here. To save lots of a lot of time and effort you may also make use of one of the well known trade portals such as Rated People or Local Heroes, where professional credentials have previously been corroborated and customer testimonials and reviews are available to look at. A Government supported organisation where you can also locate reliable tradesmen such as tree surgeons, comes in the shape of Trustmark. Providing a level playing field of quality and confidence, Trustmark concentrates on good trading practices, excellent customer service and technical competence.
Tree Surgeons Near Tonbridge: Also find: Higham Wood tree surgeons, Speldhurst tree surgeons, Upper Haysden tree surgeons, Tudeley tree surgeons, East Peckham tree surgeons, Southborough tree surgeons, Five Oak Green tree surgeons, Hilden Park tree surgeons, Leigh tree surgeons, Barden Park tree surgeons, Penshurst tree surgeons, Hadlow tree surgeons, Hildenborough tree surgeons, Bidborough tree surgeons, Parkers Green here. Most of these locations are serviced by a local tree surgeon. Tonbridge residents can get price quotes by going here.
Tree Care Services Tonbridge
- Tonbridge Woodchipping
- Tonbridge Root Grinding
- Tonbridge Tree Pruning
- Tonbridge Tree Bracing
- Tonbridge Root Decompaction
- Tonbridge Stump Grinding
- Tonbridge Woodland Clearance
- Tonbridge Crown Lifting
- Tonbridge Tree Lopping
- Tonbridge Tree Watering
- Tonbridge Tree Inspections
- Tonbridge Tree Reduction
- Tonbridge Wood Chipping
- Tonbridge Dead Wooding
Tree Surgeons Around Tonbridge: Over the last few months, property owners in these Tonbridge streets have asked about tree surgery: Butcher Close, Three Elm Lane, The Crescent, Station Hill, Sherenden Park, Scabharbour Road, Cardinal Close, Alliance Way, Alders Meadow, Caxton Lane, Chantlers Hill, Steers Place, Chestnut Avenue, Tomlin Close, Bullfinch Close, Bathurst Close, Dunks Green Road, Charlton Terrace, The Manwarings, Brooklyn Villas, Cinder Hill Wood, Commercial Road, Coldharbour Road, Thorpe Avenue, Stanley Close, Seabrook Road, Bank Lane, Caysers Croft, Cranham Square, The Maltings, along with these postcodes TN10 3PS, TN10 3BG, TN10 3NX, TN10 3AU, TN10 3LG, TN10 3JG, TN10 3EW, TN10 3ET, TN10 3NY, TN10 3QP. These locations recently saw activity by a qualified tree surgeon. Tonbridge homeowners were given high quality and competent tree surgery services in all cases.
More Kent Tree Surgeons: Kent tree surgeons: Sittingbourne, Margate, Ashford, Swanscombe, Sturry, Cranbrook, Westerham, Paddock Wood, Faversham, Maidstone, Sevenoaks, Pembury, Boxley, Gillingham, Swanley, Snodland, Northfleet, Sandwich, Kingsnorth, New Romney, Staplehurst, Hartley, Broadstairs, Tenterden, Folkestone, Tunbridge Wells, Dover, Aylesford, Herne Bay, Edenbridge, Southborough, Rochester, Minster, Ramsgate, Canterbury, East Malling, Tonbridge, Meopham, Whitstable, Strood, Gravesend, Bearsted, Sheerness, Dartford, Birchington-on-Sea, Chatham, Walmer, Westgate-on-Sea, Deal, Wilmington, West Kingsdown, Lydd and Biggin Hill.
Tree Surgery TN9 area, and dialling code 01732.
More Trades: Gate Fitters - Gutter Cleaning - Tilers - Carpet Fitters - Carpenters
Tree Surgeon Tonbridge - Woodland Management Tonbridge - Crown Lifting Tonbridge - Tree Pruning Tonbridge - Stump Removal Tonbridge - Tree Care Tonbridge - Tree Removal Tonbridge - Vegetation Management Tonbridge - Tree Management Tonbridge