Tree felling and tree services are skilled operations which require a high level of technical knowledge, supported by training, experience and qualifications that are legally required.

When looking to commission the services of tree surgeons you should always check for the following -

• References or recommendations
  
• Proof of insurance
  
• Certificates of relevant training to the task in hand
  
• Proof that the tree surgeon works to British Standards. The two main British standards for tree work are:
  

~British Standard 3998:1989 'British Standard Recommendations for Tree Work'
~British Standard 5837:1991 'Trees in Relation to Construction'

• Ask what other quality accreditations the company have
  
• Make sure that you get a comprehensive written quotation
  
• Ensure that the tree is not protected, your local planning office or local authority will be able to tell you this.
  
• Ask your tree surgeon who the designated first aider is when working on your land.
  
• All ground staff and tree surgeons should wear protective clothing and high visual equipment
  

The business of arboriculture and tree surgery is one that can be dangerous and should be conducted by tree experts and not just a bloke with a chainsaw. At Central Tree Services, our staff has had extensive training to become tree surgeons or arborists, that is as it should be. There are many good Tree Surgeons out there that will do a good job usually at the same price, or cheaper, than the less professional outfits. Hopefully this article gives you the help you need to find one.

The Tree Warden Scheme is a national initiative to enable people to play an active role in conserving and enhancing their local trees and woods. The scheme was founded and is co-ordinated by The Tree Council. Tree Wardens are volunteers, appointed by parish councils or other community organisations, who gather information about their local trees.

If you would like to get involved in local tree matters and encourage local practical projects to do with trees and woods, look on the Tree Council website and link up with others in your area.

Looking for a job in Tree Surgery? Central Tree Services has been commissioned by some of the major utility companies to provide ongoing tree surgery and arboricultural services.

We are therefore in desperate need of 2 new gangs of experienced and qualified tree workers. Groundsmen, climbers, utility arborists and drivers are required urgently.

We operate out of the Midlands and work throughout the UK so if you are looking for work give us a call in the first instance. We offer good rates of pay, permanent employment and a professional working environment.

Crown Thinning

Crown thinning involves the removal of a proportion of secondary and small, live branch growth from throughout the crown to produce an even density of foliage around a well spaced and balanced branch structure. This should usually be confined to broadleaf species. Crossing, weak, duplicated, dead and damaged branches should be removed.

Formative Pruning

Formative pruning should aim to produce a tree which in maturity will be free from major physical weaknesses. Unwanted secondary leading shoots and potentially weak forks which could fail in adverse weather conditions, e.g. strong wind or snow, should be removed.

Crown Cleaning

Pruning to remove dead wood, diseased and dying wood, split or broken branches and crossing or rubbing branches.

Crown Reduction

Pruning to reduce the overall crown size to leave a balanced crown structure. It is normally specified by the amount in metres, that the crown is to be reduced by but may also be specified as a percentage if appropriate.

Crown Lifting

Pruning to remove the lowest branches which effectively increases the height of the main crown above the ground level to a specified height.

Pruning Overhanging Branches

Branches will be removed or pruned back to suitable target points from utility lines, boundaries, buildings etc to an appropriate distance.

Hedge and Shrub Maintenance

This is performed on evergreens and certain species of shrubs to help control and contain growth while maintaining a natural appearance. This is achieved by selective pruning of exterior branches. Interior wood is not removed.

Fruit Tree Pruning

Pruning of fruit trees in order to stimulate efficient fruit production. The method and timing of pruning varies between species.

Tree Felling

Where space allows, the tree is felled in a single section using various techniques to control the direction of fall.

Tree Dismantling

Where tree felling is not an option due to confined space or other considerations, the tree is dismantled in sections. This operation involves numerous techniques including the use of ropes and rigging techniques to control the lowering of the removed sections.

Hazard Tree Removal

In extreme circumstances, where the tree is in such a location or condition to make normal techniques for its removal unsuitable, advanced methods are utilised. These include, amongst others, tree removal using Cranes or Mobile Elevated Platforms.

Stump Grinding

During normal tree felling or dismantling, the main stump of the tree will be left in the ground and cut off as close to soil level as possible without further digging. During stump grinding, the stump will be ground into chips with a specialised machine below the existing soil level over the width of the trunk cross section. Smaller roots spreading out from the main stump will normally be left undisturbed in the soil. The resulting soil/chip mixture will be left tidily at the position of the original stump unless otherwise stated.

Central Tree Services has always sold firewood as a by product of the work that we carry out. We are now investing in this growing industry in a much larger way. We have acquired many acres of woodland and are at this moment setting up an operation that will see us become one of the largest providers of firewood in the Midlands.

Watch this space...

Tree surgery is just one discipline that is part of the wider subject of arboriculture.

Arboriculture means the care of trees. An arborist is someone who is competent and qualfied to carry out tree surgery.

Tree Surgery is the pruning & shaping of trees to maintain them with regards to their position. It is an attempt to keep them healthy, safe and to extend their lifetime. Importantly it is also to maintain and perhaps even increase their asthetics so they continue to be assets to their owners and to all that can see them.

Tree Surgery may involve climbing the tree using a rope and harness or accessing the tree using a Mobile Elevated Work Platform (MEWP). Often it involves the use of chainsaws, but on smaller trees hand saws and loppers may be used. All equipment used as part of the climbing equipment must comply with LOLER 1998 - Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations.

In general terms tree surgery is the knowledge of where, when and how to make a cut into a tree. But importantly a good tree surgeon will be someone who will understand the tree as a living organism and will know when to leave the tree well alone or, conversely, and to the other extreme, when the tree may be unsafe or unsuitable for its position and require complete removal.

Becoming a Tree Surgeon is a professional vocation. There are nationally recognised qualifications for arborists and there are minimum qualifications to legally work with chainsaws and to legally climb, fell and prune trees. You need to be fully trained and have extensive experience in order to offer a professional tree care service.