Arboriculture

Definition - 'The science and practice of the cultivation, establishment and management of amenity trees for the benifit of society'

Trees are one of the singlemost important organisms on the planet and as such deserve the best care we can offer them!

Arboriculture is a highly skilled job requiring exstensive knowledge and training. 

Both managing director Jason and senior Manager Mark, have had decades as climbing arborists  in the utility, commercial and residential sectors, keeping infrastructure and property clear from encroaching vegetation along with pruning and removing large trees in difficult to access residential gardens and commercial premises. 

Arboricultural work is at the heart of PLS Group UK’s expertise, offering a range of tree services across the north of England and beyond.

All our work is carried out to current industry standard, (click the link for a full explanation from the Arboricultural Association website) BS5837:2010 Tree work recommendations.

While some jobs are simple a site visit is essential to evaluate access and other important site related factors to ensure we can offer the safest and most efficient method for whatever arboricultural service you require

Know the service you require?

Tree removal

There are two methods employed to get a tree onto the ground for removal. Felling, where a directional felling cut is applied to the base of the tree allowing it to fall onto the ground in the desired direction. The other, most common method used certainly in urban areas and where property could be damaged is dismanting the tree in small sections. This carried out either using a MEWP (mobile elevated work platform) or by ropes access - a climber working from a rope and harness.

When do your trees need dismantling?

When access or space is limited and the risk of damage to surrounding property is high!!

There are three methods used the majority of the time:

Hand held sections removed with a chainsaw dropping the small cut sections into specific drop zone

Rigging using ropes and other equipment. Branches are secured to the end of the rope, cut off with a chainsaw and lowered to the ground to avoid damage.

Crane operations. The use of a cable crane or boom with grab to methodically remove sections of the tree.

There are other methods which may be a better fit for the tree position.

Please contact us now if you require a tree or trees removed

Crown Lifting

Crown lifting is the removal of selected lower branches of the crown to a given height. This might be to allow clearance from the road or a footpath or any other situation where the tree has begun to interfere with it's surroundings!

Crown lifting can be particularley effective for letting in light where a large tree is situated next to a property. Indeed, much more effective than crown reduction would ever be and therefore a more cost effective solution! 

The other asthetic benifit is that it doesn't interfere with upper crown shape and eliminates the need for unecessarey crown reduction!

Please contact us now if you require tree pruning services

Removal of dangerous trees

Storms and very windy conditions are usually the main factor in causing trees to become an immediate danger. 

Hazardous trees arising from such conditions include:

• Damage caused to the crown resulting in torn, hanging branches. Cracks developing in branch unions and forks resulting in an unstable branch connection.
• Snapped roots caused by high winds causing the whole tree to become unstable and at risk from falling over. 
• Trees that have completely collapsed and fallen over. Woodland areas where many trees have blown over and become intertwined are some of the most dangerous sites found in arboriculture and forestry!  

Fungi and decay and other issues

Tree structure can also be compromised by decay fungi and pests/diseases. These pathogens and decay can cause the trees structure to become weak leading to an increased risk of limb or whole tree failure.

In severe cases the tree may be in a position (near to people!) where the risk of it falling over may require the it to be removed completely.

Carrying out work on damaged or dangerous trees requires an extra level of expertise and experience. Safety is our number one priority and at PLS that begins with carrying out a thorough risk assessment first as part of that process to allow us to ustilise the safest method  when dealing with such hazerdous trees.