Blog Post

Talk to the Professionals About Tree Felling

  • By Paul Day Treecare
  • 22 Jan, 2019
Tree felling

Trees are a vital part of our environment and existence. As natural air conditioners, they help to conserve energy, improve water filtration and reduce the CO2 in the atmosphere which can in turn help prevent climate change and improve air quality. 

Access to open green spaces and an abundance of trees also promotes greater physical activity in communities and has been proven to lead to greater quality of life. On an individual level, it is also understood to lower blood pressure, slow heartbeats and relax the brain which can help reduce stress. 

From an economic standpoint, having trees in your house can also be beneficial. Homes which have attractive gardens are more likely to sell quickly and at a higher value, so keeping your trees and shrubs in good condition is of vital importance. 

However, there are some occasions when trees do need to be removed or cut back. There may be a dispute with a neighbour, or a tree might have a disease and need to be felled. If you’ve ever seen any ‘fail’ videos on Youtube of people felling trees on their own, you’ll know this has the potential to be an extremely bad idea. Without public liability insurance, if a tree falls the wrong way and crashes into your home, you won’t be covered. That’s why it’s so important to seek the guidance and services of a professional tree surgeon. 

When and Why You Should Seek Out Professional Help for Tree Felling, Tree Stump Removal and Tree Pruning 

Felling a tree is not something to be taken lightly. The removal of a tree can be damaging to local wildlife and habitats. However, there are many legitimate reasons why a tree should be felled. If a tree is an aesthetic obstruction to your view, it has become damaged or diseased, is an obstruction to further development or current technologies, such as the television or solar panels, then there are grounds for it to be removed. 

If you’ve noticed that your TV signal has become inconsistent or weaker than normal, this may be due to interference from a tree. TV signals are very similar to light waves, which means that objects such as trees or other buildings can obstruct or deflect the flow of the waves, creating ‘shadows’ which will impair the overall reception. If trees are reaching above the level of the TV dish or aerial, this can be infuriating and sometimes the only way around it is by trimming the tree or cutting it down altogether. 

Similarly, a large tree in your garden may be impairing the views out of your home which could, depending on where you live, be a turn off for potential buyers. It’s no use having sea views if a tree is in the way! A large tree might also be creating a lot of shade in your garden that is stunting the lawn’s growth or simply having an adverse effect on how much sunlight you can enjoy in the garden. 

If you’re lucky enough to have a south-facing garden, which captures the majority of the day's sun, then you won’t want that to be impacted by a large tree. Rectifying this could involve trimming or cutting the tree down entirely. 

Even if you feel totally satisfied with a tree’s position, it’s not damaging your lawn, disrupting your view or interfering with your television, some trees can simply be too large for the space in which they’re placed. Most trees do not cause too much damage to the surrounding homes, however, roots can clog up drains, especially if those drains are damaged and are leaking water into the soil. This causes the roots of the trees to grow larger and into the damaged drains. 

Physical risks from trees are more troubling. Especially if there has been a long dry spell, limbs from large trees can snap and fall down onto a property or play area and can cause lasting damage. Also, expanding branches can cause damage to roofs and guttering and, underneath the soil, expanding roots can also cause suckers to shoot up which can lift up the pavement. If a very large tree near to your property looks as though it’s starting to lean towards your home then it’s certainly recommended to contact a professional tree surgeon to advise on whether this is likely to cause damage to your home. 

Dead or diseased trees are yet another instance in which it might be time to call a tree surgeon to get a tree felled or trimmed back. If a tree is dead or diseased then there is an increased likelihood that it could cause damage to your property or surrounding properties. If you notice large vertical cracks in the trunk and dead branch stubs, this could indicate significant internal damage to the tree. If the damage is caused to around half of the tree, then it should probably be completely removed before it causes any damage. 

Of course, you should always consult a tree surgeon before taking action, but a dead or diseased tree is more likely to fall apart and, if any large branches are near your home, this can have serious implications. A good way of testing yourself is to scratch away a layer of bark to expose the inner layer of the tree. If the cambium layer of bark underneath the outer layer is green then it is still alive, but if it’s brown, brittle and dry then it is probably dead. 

Dead trees are far more likely to fall over and, if you live on the shore in windy conditions, then storms can cause significantly more damage than normal. Dead trees also attract more wood boring insects than trees that are alive and, therefore, can lead to an infestation on other plants and trees in your garden. 

There are rules and regulations in the UK for felling trees. The Tree Preservation Order (TPO) protects specific trees from felling. If a tree has a TPO assigned to it then you will need to have permission to fell it. However, a professional tree surgeon will know everything they need to know to be able to handle this for you. So, as well as ensuring that the tree is felled in a safe and secure manner, a professional can make sure that it’s done legally. 

If any of the above situations sound familiar to you, always talk to a professional about felling or trimming a tree to ensure it is legal and safe to do so. 

When It’s OK to Go DIY and A Guide to Tree Loppers 

If a branch or tree looks too big to tackle by yourself, then it probably is. However, there are some circumstances in which it’s fine to do so Maintaining surrounding bushes in your garden and pruning back smaller branches is fine to take on yourself. 

To do this, you’ll need a good tree lopper and pruning tool. These are widely available in hardware, DIY and gardening shops and can be bought relatively cheaply. It’s worth investing in a telescopic tree pruner as well as a telescopic lopper which can help you access those hard to reach branches. Keep an eye out for where the branches are likely to fall and always wear protective gear. If in doubt, always consult a professional before pruning or trimming and never try and fell a tree in your garden by yourself. 

Day or Night, call Paul Day Treecare For Any Tree or Landscaping Needs 

Here at Paul Day Treecare, we are expert tree surgeons and landscape gardeners operating in Sheffield and the surrounding areas. Whatever your requirements, from tree removal, pruning, landscape gardening, garden maintenance, fencing and even paving, we can help provide a solution. 

Our workforce is fully trained and qualified, with years of experience and knowledge, which means that we can provide some of the best services around. We employ NPTC qualified tree surgeons who work under strict safety parameters and we’re also protected by public liability insurance. 

To find out more, contact us. You can call us on either 01909 519 675 or 07909 743 488 or email us at paul.daycountryside@btinternet.com.

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Spending time in the garden has been proven to provide a range of mental health benefits. From improving the connection we have with the world to reducing stress, gardening can make us happier, healthier and more fulfilled people. Having the perfect garden to unwind in only helps to improve these benefits and, as the summer arrives, working with local gardeners can ensure your outdoor space is summer-ready. 

From large-scale projects, like landscaping and patio installations, to more generalised maintenance, local gardeners can breath new life into your outdoor area for the ensuing period of parties and entertaining. To give you some inspiration, we’ve provided a few tips on how to create the perfect summer-ready garden.

Have Local Gardeners Perform Landscaping and Garden Improvements

When summer begins to peek over the horizon, it can inspire us to change our homes to accommodate living outdoors. This process may require some improvement in your garden, but investing in the below additions can create a much more habitable environment.

Paving

Paving your garden is an excellent way to create an entertainment area for the summer. If you’re lucky enough to have a large outdoor space, you can section off an area dedicated to dining and parties. 

Similarly, paving is a great way to section off other areas of the garden and create a ‘zonal’ space. Using paving intelligently, local gardeners can dissect areas of your garden for different purposes. For example, you could install paving as a perimeter to your flower bed, for entertainment space and for dining.

Decking

Similarly to paving, a decked area will create a more habitable environment for friends and family to dine outdoors. By installing a decked area at the top of your garden, you can create the perfect space to utilise for summer parties and gatherings.

Local Gardeners Can Improve The Privacy of Your Garden For Summer Parties With Fencing

Creating a new entertainment space in your garden is all well and good. However, you may also need to improve the privacy of your garden at the same time. Local gardeners can provide quality fencing products to ensure that you have the privacy you want. 

Particularly if you have a young family and live in a built-up area, it’s important to have adequate security. Every family wants to be able to enjoy the summer in their garden without the unease of limited privacy measures. From timber fences to bespoke solutions, there are plenty of options which ensure your garden is summer-ready.

Employ Local Gardeners To Prune and Thin Trees To Allow More Sun In

As summer approaches, your trees and bushes will begin to become more unruly. If left to their own devices, the plant life in your garden may become obstructive and can even hinder the growth of other plants. That’s why it’s always a good idea to contact local gardeners to prune and thin your trees before they get too difficult to manage. 

By pruning your plants, bushes, hedges and trees in the lead up to and during summer, you’ll facilitate better growth, improve the aesthetics of your garden and increase the sunlight streaming into your outdoor space. 

As well as pruning some of the larger trees in your garden, hedges and smaller bushes can also be trimmed back. Having your hedges trimmed by local gardeners will ensure they remain healthy and neat. Having a well-maintained hedge during the summer can even act as a natural alternative to a perimeter fence and can improve the biodiversity of your garden.

Prepare Your Vegetable Patch and Fruit Trees

One of the many benefits of having a garden is the ability to grow your own produce. However, doing so does require some maintenance work. 

If you have a fruit tree growing in your garden, the timing of pruning can greatly impact the quality and quantity of your crop. Particularly if your fruit tree is still in its infancy, it’s important to help it grow thick branches and canopies by pruning. The best time to prune fruit trees is in early spring before any significant budding. If your fruit trees are pruned properly in the first few years, they will provide much better fruit in higher quantities. 

As well as preparing your trees for fruiting, the lead up to summer can also be spent preparing your vegetable patch. The first step in the process should be preparing your soil for planting. Loosen the soil, add compost, level the soil and water it adequately. 

In the spring, plants like tomatoes and peppers should be incubated indoors whilst it’s still chilly. These can be moved outside once it gets hotter. However, you can begin planting vegetables like potatoes and onions outdoors straight away. When the summer does arrive, you’ll have a healthy and happy crop ready to eat.

Some General Upkeep To Consider

As well as some of the significant improvements covered here, there is also some more generalised upkeep you can enact in the lead-up to summer.

Weeds

Weeding isn’t one of the most well-loved gardening projects in the world. However, it’s a necessary evil every gardener will have to go through to ensure their garden remains healthy. The lead up to summer is the best time to tackle this problem. During spring, remove any weeds from the garden and from in between the cracks in your paving. By de-weeding, you can ensure that your plants, rather than the weeds, consume the nutrients in the soil. 

At the same time as de-weeding, you should also spend some time getting rid of any pests. Using natural solutions, like crushed eggshells for slugs, you can future-proof your plant life and vegetation.

Plant Summer Plants and Tidy Flower Beds

The blossoming of flowers is one of the most satisfying experiences of summer. It signifies the changing of the seasons and begins to bring colour and warmth into your garden. During the autumn, dead leaves and twigs will have fallen down and collected in your flower beds. With summer on the horizon, now is the time to clear that up ready for summer plants. Prepare the soil of your flowerbeds, tidy the borders up and plant flowers like lilies, dahlias and others that thrive in the warmer period.

Start Your Compost Heap

By using high-quality compost, you can greatly improve the quality of your soil and, therefore, your plants. Begin making your own compost heap months in advance to ensure it’s ready for summer. If starting during the summer, your heap should be ready for the following summer. You can then recycle much of your garden and kitchen waste to add to the compost.

Clean, Treat and Varnish Your Furniture

Finally, summer poses an opportunity to give some of your garden furniture some TLC. Dust, wash, varnish and treat your furniture to ensure it’s in the best possible condition for the summer. The spring is the best time to make these small improvements to have your garden summer-ready for friends and family.

Our Local Gardeners Provide Specialist Tree Services in Sheffield and Beyond

Do you require the services of local gardeners at your property in Sheffield and the surrounding area? If so, look no further than Paul Day Specialists. We’re experts in the industry and provide a wide range of services for both domestic and commercial clients. Whether you need a tree felling or simple hedge maintenance, we can help. 

If you want to get your garden ready for the summer, with services like hedge maintenance, landscaping and pruning, one of our specialists can be on hand to help. 

To find out more about our services, please feel free to contact us today. You can call us on either 01909 519 675 or 07909 743 488. Alternatively, email us at paul.daycountryside@btinternet.com.

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