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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;

1. 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?
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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?  
5. 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.            
6. 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.

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.

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.

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.