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Tree maintenance in Belfast Northern Ireland

Tue, 08 May 2012 15:11:00 GMT

Treescapes NI are a professional tree surgery company based in Belfast, Northern Ireland, offering tree services to Belfast and the surrounding areas of Northern Ireland.

There are many reasons for pruning and maintaining your tree/trees, this could be simply because your tree/trees are overwhelming and are taking up to much space in your garden. Or perhaps they are absorbing to much light to your home and surrounding trees, shrubs or plants. Maybe you wish to remove storm damaged or diseased branches, or simply want to aid your trees and property to work harmoniously in both urban and rural areas.

Once the decision has been made to prune a tree, the next decision to make is whether or not to tackle the job yourself and how confident you might be in doing so. In the case of a large tree where you want to remove big branches in the upper area of the crown, it may be best to hire a qualified tree expert from Belfast. Large tree pruning, in particular, can require climbing and chainsaws or even cherry-pickers. This is a job that should be left to trained and experienced professionals, whom are covered by specialist insurances. We would never advise that a client compromise personal safety in pruning a tree and would always recommend seeking the advice of an expert before trying to complete work alone.

If your tree problems include light issues, there is a technique called tree thinning that a qualified tree surgeon ‌in Belfast can offer to help resolve this. This technique opens up the tree crown to allow more light through the centre of the tree. Tree thinning can also prevent 'wind blown' damage as the air flow can then easily pass through the tree instead of creating a force that pushes against it. Crown thinning is a pruning technique primarily used on hardwood trees, and the selective removal of stems and branches not only increases light penetration and air movement throughout the crown of a tree, but can also make life uncomfortable for tree pests further aiding the health of your tree.

Tree maintenance Services can also include the reshaping of trees. This can be achieved whilst retaining a natural shape by reducing the ends of branches that have out grown the normal uniform of the tree. Normally there is a given percentage for tree reductions which will relate to how much would taken off of the ends of the branches; for example 20% would need to be cut off of the branches that protrude the natural shape and pruned back into the predominant shape of the tree. Tree reductions help keep your tree in good health maintaining the branches weight so that they do not break and leave dangerous damaged or diseased branches on your tree. With Belfast being an urban city this can be ever more important as many trees overhang main roads and/or public footpaths, as well as neighbouring gardens. Emergency tree work can be expensive and can quite often not be the only cost endured by an unsafe tree.

Tree Cutting in Belfast and Northern Ireland is also important for aesthetic reasons. We take pride in how green we are in the Ireland and Belfast trees are beautiful features of our connection with natural world. The condition of a tree from the first inspection that we make can paint a picture of the tree's health and potential lifespan. A professional tree surgeon from Belfast or a Belfast arborist will look at a variety of factors when inspecting a tree, including the position of tree, dangers the tree may cause now or in future if pruning work is not carried out and potential damages to the public and property during the tree work as well as after.

At Treescapes NI we offer scheduled maintenance programs on trees and hedges so that you can sit back and feel safe that your tree/trees are being well maintained and looked after by specialist Belfast tree surgeons, whom both know and understand about trees, the dangers that they can pose, and who appreciate what a safe and healthy tree can bring to a home, family and it's environment. Our tree maintenance programmes are offered to both commercial and private clients as we feel that this is an important service that can be offered to any person looking for a long term solution to tree care at their property.

Belfast Tree Trimming services, whether set up as a full time tree maintenance programme or just as and when the owner of a tree feels it is required, will help the health of your trees. The advice of a qualified tree surgeon can be priceless tool to understanding and knowing when and what kind of tree care service you might require now or in the future. Services such as tree dead wooding can be an essential and rewarding tree surgery service to complete. This particular tree care technique helps by removing any dangerous branches or limbs that are dead and could potentially fall at any given moment, risking property and people if allowed to stay in a tree.

A professional Belfast tree surgeon (arborist) will have attained qualifications that have assessed his/her capability of safely practicing tree surgery services. A tree surgeon will be able to use a variety of tree surgery techniques to complete a range of tree care works. All tree work should be completed using a general minimum standard otherwise known to us as the British Standards. The British Standards are around in all areas of our lives from the food we eat, the furniture we buy to the services that we require. There are two main BS standards that a professional tree surgeon should know about and use these are as follows:

British Standard 3998:1989 ‘British Standard Recommendations for Tree Work’

British Standard 5837:1991 ‘Trees in Relation to Construction'

As a professional tree care company within Belfast, Northern Ireland, we have a range of equipment to allow us to offer our services from the very smallest to larger more long term projects. Having the right equipment means that we can turn difficult tasks such as reducing tall hedges, from being a burden to maintain, to being a beautiful mature feature in a garden. Householders, balanced on a step ladders, clippers in hand is a recipe for a bad accident, and often we hear stories of how our clients have finally decided to call a professional tree care specialist after breaking a leg or an arm in such situations. We can offer services to trim or remove climbers like ivy, clematis, honeysuckle from trees or buildings and feel that our range of tree and gardening services allow a variety of clients to make use of and the most of our competitive prices.

To receive a free quotation please call or email us to book an appointment to meet with a member of our team.

Tel: 08000 699 738

Email: info@treescapesni.co.uk

Log Splitting Service in Belfast, Northern Ireland

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 14:07:00 GMT

We provide a mobile timber splitting service using our transportable, hydraulic log splitter.

Convert your timber into lovely firewood for you to used on your own woodburner or open fire!

Our machine is portable therefore allowing us to come to your property and process firewood and logs to your specification.

We can process large volumes of firewood using our hydraulic machine meaning you get great value for money, and lots of logs to show for it!

Please contact us on 08000 699 738 to arrange your timber processing.

Top Tips for Healthy Trees in Belfast, Northern Ireland

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 15:08:00 GMT

Here are some tips that will enable you to carry out a quick health check of your trees. Starting at the base of the tree your inspection should go as follows;

Is there any damage around the base of the tree, look particularly for cavities or holes, exposed roots that are maybe being damaged. Are any of the roots beginning to lift on one side?
Is there any fungus or decay around the base of the tree or the stem? Some species of fungus will only appear in late summer/autumn.
Are there any wounds or cavities in the main stem? Are there any areas of dead bark or exposed inner wood where the bark has been damaged? Look up at the more major branches of the tree to see if any of the larger branches have any damage.
Are there any hanging branches in the canopy, look carefully for any split limbs or dead and decaying branches. Look for decay at any points of previous surgery or limb removal. Do any of the branches cross each other or rub on each other in the wind?
Are the leaves in good health? Look for branches lacking foliage or with a colour that does not match the rest of the tree. Look at the tips of the canopy for branches lacking leaves as this can indicate root problems.
Is the whole tree balanced in form or is it leaning to one side? Often trees can be shaped to bring back a symmetrical form.

If you suffer with light conditions at ground level due to shade cast by a tree, or if a tree if too large for your garden, tree surgery such as crown thinning can help with this problem. Tree thinning can also be carried out to improve its proportion to suit areas within your garden.

By removing dead, diseased or crossing branches, the health of a tree will be improved. However, remember to check that tree preservation order restrictions do not apply.

The Northern Ireland High Hedges Act 2012

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 14:07:00 GMT

To some they are a pest. To others they are objects of beauty.

Nothing divides people, both physically and emotionally, like fast-growing hedges.

Leylandii, in particular, can reach 100ft in height, blocking out light, restricting views and even damaging nearby gardens.

Neighbourly disputes over high hedges appeared frequently in the media a few years ago. Sometimes there were tales of violence - in a few cases of people being killed.

So, in 2012, the Northern Ireland Assembly promised to give those aggrieved by aggressive greenery a chance to act.

The High Hedges Act comes into effect on 31 March. The act provides a mechanism for people suffering from the loss of light due to a neighbour's high hedge to ask their local council to investigate the matter.

It allows councils to charge a maximum up-front fee of £360 to pursue a complaint if an initial effort to resolve the matter informally is not successful.

People who wish to make a complaint about a neighbour's high hedge face having to pay their local council an up-front fee of up to £360.

The cost will be transferred to the hedge owner if the complaint is upheld by council investigators, and remedial action is required.

The hedge owner will also be responsible for the cost of any action to rectify the problem.

Belfast City Council propose charging a fee of £350, while Derry City Council propose £360 to pursue a complaint.

Most other councils across Northern Ireland are expected to charge the maximum £360 fee.

Most councils have still to formally set the level of fee they will charge, but Belfast City Council have set a "preferred fee" of £350. This fee is due to be ratified by the council before the end of the month.

Derry City Council are also due to confirm their fees by the end of March, while Lisburn City Council have proposed a £360 fee, as have Down District Council.

Further information can be found on the nidirect website;

http://www.doeni.gov.uk/index/protect_the_environment/local_environmental_issues/high_hedges_2.htm

Alternatively, you can contact the team at treescapes ni for more information.

The staff at treescapes ni are in a position to offer impartial advice on the Northern Ireland High Hedges Act 2012, and services all areas of Belfast and Northern Ireland.

HOW TO AVOID ROGUE TRADER TREE SURGEONS IN BELFAST NORTHERN IRELAND

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 14:44:00 GMT

Rogue trader tree surgeons in Belfast, Northern Ireland have been operating all around Northern Ireland for many years, however with the current economic climate more and more of them are establishing themselves.

Tree Surgery in Northern Ireland is a specialist trade and involves far more than someone with a chainsaw. Tree surgeons undergo thorough training in a wide range of fields including chainsaw maintenance, chainsaw use, specialist climbing, aerial rescue, equipment maintenance and arboriculture. The danger to people and property is very high if tree surgeons do not have the appropriate training, experience and equipment

Reputable companies do not need to canvas for work, always be wary of anyone who comes to the door claiming that your trees need working on. It's always advisable to seek a second opinion

After hearing about an experience one of our own customers has had with a rogue trader tree surgeon and seeing the results of bad tree surgery around our local area, we wanted to upload some information to help you choose the right people to do the right job.

Treescapes NI comply with all of the guidelines in this post , however we are not the only ones. There are many reputable tree surgery companies working in and around the province and by following these guidelines, you can be sure to protect yourself from rogue traders.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I not choose a tree surgeon based on price alone?

Good tree surgeons have very high running costs to maintain liability insurance, wages for qualified, experienced staff and good tool maintenance. Rogue traders have none of the above costs and so can quote very cheaply.

If not done properly, bad tree surgery can lead to:

Injury to people

Damage to property

Serious damage to your trees that have taken many years to grow

Who is liable if anything goes wrong?

A good tree surgeon will have public and employers liability insurance (recommended minimum £5 million) which will cover themselves, any employees and any 3rd parties affected by an accident. Rogue traders very often keep their prices down by bypassing overheads such as insurance premiums. In the event of an accident, you may find yourself liable for injury to people and/or property if a 3rd party is involved.

What qualifications should I check for?

The governing body for tree surgery qualifications is the NPTC (National Proficiency Tests Council). As a bare minimum, a good tree surgeon will hold the following certificates:

CS30 – Maintenance of the chainsaw, on site preparation and basic cross cutting

CS31 – Fell and process small trees

CS38 – Climb a tree and perform aerial rescue

CS39 – Use of a chainsaw from a rope and harness

First Aid at Work

Any additional NPTC qualifications, Royal Forestry Society qualifications or degree level qualifications demonstrate more advanced training. Reputable tree surgeons pay a lot of money for their ongoing training; this is generally why they will be more expensive than their unscrupulous counterparts.

What questions should I ask an Arborist

1. Are you insured?

If yes, ask them to show evidence of their Employers and Public Liability insurance (recommended minimum £5 million). If they cannot prove their insurance, don’t use this contractor

2. Do you work to a British Standard?

If yes, which one? They should tell you they work to BS3998:2010 Tree Work – Recommendations

3. What qualifications do you and your staff hold?

They must have NPTC certificates for chainsaw use both on the ground and aerially. For other NPTC qualifications, see above. Further training and qualifications are recommended. Ask to see copies of certificates.

4. Will you provide a written quotation?

If no, reject this contractor

5. Are you a member of a professional organisation?

In the UK there are several voluntary schemes certifying the competence of arborists through examination and regular reassessment including the Arboricultural Association Approved Contractor scheme and the Tree Care Approved scheme (otherwise known as trust mark). Other arborists may be equally competent, but membership of a professional organisation shows a degree of commitment to good working practices and high industry standards.

6. Can you provide a reference

Reputable tree surgeons will be happy to show you examples of their work and provide references.

We hope that this information will help you to avoid the high risks involved in employing rogue trader tree surgeons. Treescapes Arborists are confident in the high levels of service we provide and always encourage customers to get other quotations. We are certainly not the only tree surgeons operating to high standards in Northern Ireland and are more than happy to recommend other companies for customers to contact for comparable quotations.

Remember, with tree surgery, you really do get what you pay for and if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Treescapes NI Offer Full Range of Garden Services in Belfast

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 09:13:00 GMT

As we move towards Spring, why not tidy up your garden through the full range of services from Treescapes NI, qualified Tree Surgeons Belfast.

We offer professional services ranging from pruning, to thinning to felling, all of which will get your garden in fantastic shape for the coming months. We can also recommend and plant new trees for your garden, we give this process a lot of consideration – from leaf form to bark texture to autumnal colour.

How about a complete new look for your garden? Our Tree Surgeons Belfast will be able to transform the landscape of your garden, giving you a fantastic area to entertain friends and family, for your children to play in or for you to simply relax in.

Contact Treescapes NI today – fully qualified Tree Surgeons Belfast. We will be more than happy to arrange a free quotation and discuss how we could transform your garden.

Tree Surgeons Advice on Protecting Trees During Harsh Winters in Northern Ireland

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 13:57:00 GMT

One of Belfast’s Top Tree Surgeons Shares the Secrets to Protecting Your Trees

As you know, recent winters brought extreme weather conditions to Northern Ireland. We’ve seen mild autumns rapidly turn to icy, snowy conditions. This fluctuation is difficult for trees to withstand.

So let one of the leading Tree Surgeons in Belfast, Taylan Capan from Treescapes NI, help you ensure your trees survive the winter unscathed.

Water

Extremely cold winters create drought-like conditions for trees. Icy winds and frozen ground dry-out trees and make it hard for them to absorb the water they need. If they didn’t get enough water during the autumn months, this can lead to real problems.

Taylan Capan said: “Make sure you water your trees well, right up until the ground begins to freeze. They need to store lots of water to survive icy conditions. Stop watering them as soon as the ground begins to freeze as this just adds to the icy conditions.”

Mulch

Adding a layer of mulch around the base of your tree can also help it survive the winter. Although in woods or forests mulch gathers naturally, it’s less readily available for trees in well-kept gardens in Belfast or other built-up areas.

Taylan explained: “Mulch helps maintain a regular ground-temperature and keeps the soil moist. You can make your own mulch from biodegradable materials such as bark, compost and dry leaves.”

Prune

Pruning trees in winter helps to keep them healthy. It removes damaged and diseased branches, and lowers the risk of damage during extreme weather conditions.

Taylan said: “Pruning in winter can protect the tree and people. By removing weak or dead branches from your trees, you are lowering the chance of debris falling during high winds or heavy snow. However, you shouldn’t take on large tasks, especially in poor conditions. Wear gloves and goggles if you’re using a saw and call in a professional for any trees you might need a ladder to reach.”

You can get more advice on protecting your trees by contacting Treescapes NI on 0800 699 738 or via the website.

Treescapes NI are tree surgeons in Belfast, Northern Ireland and offer great quotes on a range of tree surgery services.