In March 2018, Martin Wyss, Landscape Services Manager for the University of Southampton, received an independent arboricultural survey and report which deemed two trees to be highly dangerous to members of the public.
Unfortunately a Corsican pine and an oak would need to be removed.
Having worked together since 2014, he contacted Climbers Way Tree Care to do the job.
When we arrived to quote the job we knew that due to the size and location of the trees we couldn’t fell them. We would have to dismantle them, but we noticed there was something that would complicate the tree removal…
There was a BT phone line running through both trees!
After some problem solving and discussion with Martin we came to the conclusion that we would need a crane to assist with the dismantle to avoid damaging the surrounding infrastructure.
DNB Tree Surgery Limited agreed to work with us and the crane which allowed us to carry out the work efficiently.
Take a look at how the job went on the day.
Footage produced by Ambient Light Productions
If your trees need some surgery then we can help.
Contact Climbers Way Tree Care for a free quote.
It has been a busy start to the year here at Climbers Way.
We wanted to share with you, some of the great work the teams have been doing so far.
Why prune your tree?
Firstly, for the health of the tree.
When you prune your tree, you are removing all the dead and damaged branches that may bring disease and decay. This also allows a lot more sunlight to run through the canopy which results in fewer diseases.
Not only will you keep your tree healthy but you will stop your tree from becoming a hazard. Pruning your tree helps maintain a strong tree structure.
If you have a tree that needs some love, have a look at the services we offer and get in touch.
“Scare-mongering in some cases has resulted in trees being felled unnecessarily,” says Chris Cooper-Abbs, arborist, health & safety advisor and friend of Climbers Way Tree Care.
Tree owners have a legal duty of care in respect of their trees, and may be liable for injury to others caused by the fall of a tree or branch. In an attempt to avoid what they perceive to be a risk, some landowners have simply removed trees entirely – but Chris says the answer is actually more straight-forward than that. Under a legal framework of both civil and criminal law, the responsibilities for the health and safety of those on or near the land upon which a tree stands rests with the owner of that land.
“Landowners just need to have a plan or strategy for their trees,” Chris explains. “They need to start with a ‘stock take’ of the trees on their land: What have they got? What condition are they in? Who might be at risk from them? Using this information, the landowner can then establish a plan to manage risks in a balanced way so that those trees can be enjoyed safely. Only if a tree is identified as a significant risk is removal, perhaps, the answer.”
Chris studied arboriculture and is experienced in advising clients on tree management strategies. Today his company, Arb Matters, advise colleagues in the arboriculture and land based industries on quality, environmental and safety management, accreditations and compliance issues.
Could a landowner perform this ‘stock take’ themselves?
“Depending on the complexity or type of inspection required, and their own knowledge base – age of trees, proximity to public areas, signs of disease etc. – it would be possible for a landowner to do this themselves. It’s always worth calling in an expert in case of any doubt but this should not become a financially burdensome exercise,” Chris comments.
And does the same legislation apply to householders?
“Yes, it does, but we have to think about a proportionate response here,” Chris is quick to caution. “A large landowner, for example, with acres of historic woods, roadside trees and lots of visitors is likely to need a more comprehensive tree management strategy. However, if you’re a householder with just a couple of trees, we can scale down and simplify the actions you might need to take”.
What would Chris’s advice be to anyone who is responsible for trees?
“Get to know them! Be vigilant for any changes, both to the tree and in terms of potential risks. If in any doubt, call an expert. And document your observations and actions; should you find yourself in a legal situation, any records that you have pro-actively managed your trees could help provide supporting evidence that a landowner has taken reasonable care.”
If we want to find out more?
Chris recommends information produced by the National Tree Safety Group (NTSG).
“The NTSG is an advisory body approved the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) and comprising a range of interested parties, from English Heritage to the Forestry Commission and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. They have produced some useful advice and I’d particularly recommend their leaflets “Managing Trees for Safety” for larger landowners and “Common Sense Risk Management of Trees” for smaller ones,” says Chris.
Chris – like the Climbers Way Tree Care team – believes that trees are to be enjoyed and protected.
“Trees are essential to our planet; we need to be their guardians,” he says.
October is a good time to get your grounds or gardens sorted before the winter weather really hits. Although October will probably see the first frosts here in the south of England, temperatures can reach 16°C or more if you’re lucky enough to have a bright, sunny day.
The first job to think about when caring for trees and larger shrubs is to check that they are physically sound for the winter, as much as they can be. If they have ties or stakes, check they are still secure and replace them if required.
Check for any branches that didn’t produce leaves or where the leaves have died more quickly than the rest of the plant. This is probably a sign that the branch has died so you may want to consider removing it before it becomes a hazard. See if you can see why it might have died; it may be due to a pest, disease or fungus that could go on to affect the rest of the plant so some timely action could be required to prevent further damage. (The RHS website offers some great advice on what pests and diseases might be to blame.)
If you have deciduous hedges, now is a good time to give them one final tidy up before the winter. Evergreen hedges are not likely to grow much more either, with the weather getting cooler, so you can neaten them up if they need it too.
October is an ideal time for moving or planting new trees, hedges, shrubs and climbing plants – as long as the soil hasn’t become waterlogged and strong winds are not imminent! Look out for our next article about bare root plants to read more about this.
If you want to take hardwood cuttings of hedges or shrubs, October is a good time to do that.
Think about what you want to do with your fallen leaves. When fallen on open soil, dead leaves create a natural mulch that will help keep weeds down, retain moisture (if that’s relevant!) and create micro-environments for friendly garden insects and animals, so you might want to consider leaving them there. However, when fallen on paths or lawns, dead leaves can become a sludgy mess, that not only blocks light to your lawn and harbours nasty bugs, but which can be a slip hazard.
Think about adding unwanted leaves to your compost heap or create a leaf pile that will eventually break down to become leaf mould, a rich source of nutrients to dig back into your soil. (The BBC Gardeners World webpages have some advice on this).
Finally, think about being a friend to the wildlife in your area. If you haven’t already done so, clean out birdboxes, feeders and water troughs. Hedgehogs need a final good meal before they settle down to hibernate: the British Hedgehog Preservation Society has useful advice on what and when to feed.
And, of course, if you’ve built a bonfire, don’t forget to check it for sleeping creatures before you light it!
As the weather starts to feel autumnal, now is a good time to start thinking about clearing out nest boxes. Most birds should have stopped using them by now and, legally, from September any unhatched eggs can be removed. (It’s normal for a few eggs not to hatch and blue tits, for example, can lay up to 14 eggs in one brood to allow for this).
Old nests are likely to harbour fleas or other parasites, which could hang around to infest newly hatched birds next year. Clear out any old nesting material and use boiling water to kill any remaining parasites. (Don’t use insecticides or chemicals as they will probably harmful too). Leave the box to dry out thoroughly before replacing the lid. A small handful of clean wood shavings will help to make it homely, perhaps even for small mammals too.
We recommend the RSPB website if you want to read more.
Now is also a good time to put up new nesting boxes, giving birds places to roost and check out potential nesting sites for the spring. Again, the RSPB website has some great advice for where to locate them.
