Tree Management
Management begins with an inspection. Good management hinges on good inspecion; the right, expert advice on how best to manage your trees can only come from the right person: a qualified, professional arborist. Good management conserves and enhances the safety, health and beauty of trees; bad, ignorant management can make trees unsafe, unhealthy and ugly.
Following inspection there may be recommendations for priority remedial tree works ('tree surgery'). Landscape trees are often in critical locations and remedial tree work is often called for, either for reasons of tree safety & health or appearance. Typical tree work operations include pruning, felling/dismantling and cabling - performed by tree work contractors ('tree surgeons').
Tree work should always be a treatment - an informed solution to a tree problem; even if, as in the worst case, it means felling/removal.
As consultant arborists we assess trees, report on their condition and specify any tree works that might be needed for their safety or health. Where required, we also draft the tree work contract - independent contractors can then quote/tender for the work and, where occasionally required, their performance of the work can also be supervised.
As we are well connected in the industry and strongly involved in its professional bodies, we are happy to advise and refer tree work contracts to local reputable tree work companies as appropriate.
The young stems of woody plants are amenable to pruning. Once tree stems are several years old their anatomy and physiological response changes - and how they should be effectively pruned - changes dramatically; severe and irreparable damage can be done to semi-mature and mature trees by mis-pruning. To destroy the form and health of trees by ignorant butchery such as 'topping' only creates more on-going problems in the future; there is always a better, informed solution to the management of trees for all parties concerned, no matter what the problem.
There is a world of difference between good tree work and bad; between a well pruned tree and a mutilated tree. It comes down to training, knowledge, dedication and experience. Proper tree work requires great skill and judgement. Never let anyone attempt any tree work that they are not trained or insured to perform. Anyone offering to 'top' or 'lop' trees are likely to be unprofessional 'cowboys' (e.g. See the ISA's article on topping) even if they have a large add in the golden pages or are members of a 'craftsmen' guild. And door-knocking crooks are no part of the tree-care industry and should be avoided like the plague they are!
