Services In Aberdeen – Tree Felling, Tree Cutting & Tree Removal

As is often the case, trees needing removal cannot be felled in one piece: This is especially the case where trees are in gardens or on business premises, where trees are adjacent to buildings, offices, thoroughfares, roads, fences, power lines and telephone cables. The close proximity of other healthy trees and wildlife habitats often also preclude the use of one-cut, single drop Tree Felling.

In such cases trees must use sectional dismantling from the top by skilled Tree Surgeons using extensive rope-access work. First small branches are cut from the lower portions of the canopy, allowing removal and safe lowering of the upper canopy and branches. Once a large tree has been reduced to a trunk with large stubby branch forks it can be cut or lopped in sections which are then lowered carefully by ropes and pulleys to the ground. It is normal for all foliage and small branches to be chipped or shredded; the resulting pieces/ chippings are easier to collect and transport away by truck or lorry. The trunk is then cut or lopped in horizontal sections and lowered to the ground individually, until only a tree stump remains. Tree stumps can be left to decay if not in the way or unsightly, but often they are removed by stump grinding.

These tree sections are very heavy and have the potential to cause serious damage to property or harm to individuals unless handled by experienced tree surgeons and trained Technicians who must be certified for the equipment in use. Arborist-Direct Aberdeen have routine systems which can be put in-place for safely managing Tree Dismantling.

The resulting tree sections, or ‘rounds’ are no longer suitable for use as building materials but, depending on wood type, can still be of significant value as attractive raw material for decorative carving and good feedstock as logs for fuel.

Trees are valuable assets, they can add beauty to our homes and be enjoyed by people and the natural wildlife, but only if maintained in good condition. When trees have to be removed there are legal, safety and environmental checks which must be made prior to felling taking place. Arborist- Direct Aberdeen have specialists available who can advise on the checks to be made, who to contact and how best to meet all requirements.

• Tree Preservation Orders. These orders are applied and controlled by branches of the Local Planning Authority. They are established to preserve valuable arboreal assets in towns, villages and countryside. Permission need to be sought by land-owner or home-owner before any work on a preserved tree is carried out, especially tree felling and removal (see below).
• Wild-life Protected Species. Some animal and bird species are legally protected ( eg: bats and raptors) others are species under threat ( eg: red squirrels). Prior to felling Arborist-Direct Aberdeen specialists will survey the tree to be felled and advise which environmental/ ecological consultant to contact to ascertain the required actions and if a European Protected Species licence (EPS for some bats) is required.
• Safe Systems of Work. A home owner has a responsibility to safeguard his own and neighbouring persons and property: By employing Arborist-Direct Aberdeen a home owner can have confidence that a safe system of work will be put in place and the technical team being utilised will have the required training, experience and certification to undertake the tasks agreed in the work-scope.
• Power and Telephone Lines & Cables. Tree felling within 10 metres of electric power lines should not be carried out without seeking guidance from the owner or Network-Operator of the line. This includes trees where the felling operations will impact the 10metre safety zone. Telephone or BT lines are also a concern. Arborist-Direct Tree Surgeons are well experienced in working around telephone cables and will minimise any potential for damage to such lines. The specialists planning the work will be involved in obtaining any permits required.
• Tree felling, even when dismantling involved, brings risk of damage to people and property. Arborist-Direct Aberdeen tree surgeons and other specialist technicians are fully insured for public liability and employer’s liability insurances, so as to execute the agreed work-scope within the law.

Land owners should check if there are any Tree Preservation Orders covering any trees on their land before carrying out any pruning or felling. (In Aberdeen tree felling and tree cutting is covered by tree preservation orders as well as throughout the rest of Aberdeenshire under the respective local planning authorities) It may be required to ask permission from your local authority prior to starting. This is a legal responsibility. Please see (HERE) for more detailed information and ask you Arborist-Direct Aberdeen team for guidance.