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Frequently Asked Questions & Glossary of Terms
What happens if I use a company who is not insured?
You could be liable for any accident the operator may have. This could be to your property or your neighbours property. It could be personal injury to anyone, including any assistant with the operator or the operator himself.
How much does it cost?
It is practically impossible to cost a tree work job over the phone. Every tree is different, so we offer a free of charge service with no obligation. We will come to your property and inspect your trees and give you professional arboricultural advice, followed by a written quotation. It details the exact works to be carried out with a fixed cost for each item. This is all free with no obligation and arranged at a time to suit you.
How quick can the job be done?
We can carry out the work immediately if the tree is dangerous. But normal turnover of work is approximately 3 weeks. This may be delayed if we need to make a detailed application to the Local Authority, with reference to a tree preservation order or conservation area. We check tree preservation orders or conservation areas on every job when accepted. 90% of works are not covered by any orders.
When is the right time to prune a tree?
Trees vary in species. Most trees can be pruned at any time of the year, with a few exceptions:
Cherry, Plum, and related trees (Prunus species) should be pruned soon after flowering to reduce the risk of bacterial infection.Maple and Birch should not be pruned in the spring to avoid ‘bleeding’ (exuding sap), which although not considered damaging can be unsightly. Magnolia and Walnut should only be pruned in high summer.
My tree has a preservation order on it, will you make the application on my behalf?
We will make an application on your behalf, at no extra cost. We will keep you informed and process the application as quickly as possible
What’s the difference between a tree preservation order (TPO) and conservation area (CON)?
A tree preservation order (TPO) covers individual trees or a group of trees and requires a specific application and must receive approval from the Local Authority before works can commence. Trees in a conservation area (CON) require a six week notice of intent application, if after this time no written confirmation has been received, then the works can proceed.
What We Do: Reasons to Use Down Tree Care
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have public liability insurance (£2,000,000) |
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clean our saws after working on diseased trees to prevent cross contamination of pathogens. |
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use biodegradable chain oils to prevent damage to the tree and local environment(PONDS + LAWNS) |
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employ a range of pruning techniques to minimise damage and unwanted regrowth. |
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clear all arisings from the site and recycle leaving it tidier than we started. |
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use traditional rope and harness technique coupled with modern rock climbing
equipment to minimise damage to trees. |
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What We Do Not Do: More Reasons to Use Down Tree Care
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stump end branches |
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damage trees with the use of climbing irons to get more work in the future. |
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recommend work to be rushed through in order to get your money! some trees are especially vunerable to infection by fungi in autumn (eg fruit trees), we would delay until after the first frost. |
Glossary of Terms
24 Hr Emergency Service - We provide emergency callout to deal with any potentially dangerous situations as quickly as possible. If this is the case we will put safety first and prioritise urgent work in order to ensure the welfare of the tree and the surrounding environment. As with all estimates there is no callout charge. Please inform us if your situation is urgent and should you accept our estimate we may be able to deal with problem immediately.
Coppicing
CPO’s - You will need to give notice if you want to remove or prune a tree in a Conservation Area, so that the Council can consider whether the tree should be protected by a TPO. (Tree Preservation Order)
Crown Cleans
Crown Lifting
Crown Reduction
Dead-Wooding - as it says removing the dead wood to prevent damage below and to the tree as a source of infection for pathogens.
Formative Pruning - taking control of the tree`s growth at an early stage in its development reducing the need for heavy pruning in the future.
Hedge Removal
Hedge Cutting / Reducing
Lifting - removal of branches at base of tree.
Planting - we can plant for you.
Pollarding
Pruning - general term for various techniques of removing branches. We employ shigo`s recommendations for compartmentalization (To prevent infection which might damage the rest of the tree).
Reducing - removing height and reshaping. Typically used in leaning improperly weighted and to protect utility lines - bt
Reshaping
Section Felling - with large or heavy material been removed from the tree the surrounding features and structures are protected by roping down pieces safely. i.e. overhanging greenhouses/ roads.
Shaping - hedges and trees
Site Clearance
Spraying
Stump-Grinding - mechanical extraction of the stump. Requires a minimum access width.
Stump Removal
Thinning - for when the crown has become too thick, blocking light out for other plants, selectively removing excessive branches.
TPO’s - Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs), made under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and the Town and Country Planning (Trees) Regulations 1999;
Tree Reports
Tree Dismantles
Wind and Storm Damage
Woodland Management
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