Caring for your trees in the aftermath of Saturday’s flash floods

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Our experts here at Prince Tree Surgery have had a very busy time after Essex took a battering on Saturday from the flash floods caused by the torrential rain. Essex, in particular Rayleigh, Canvey, Basildon, Billericay and Southend faced damage from the surge of the heavy rainfall – up to 50mm fell on Saturday, 24 August which inevitably damaged trees in its wake.

As Brentwood’s leading tree surgeons, we can offer support on any aspect of damaged or fallen trees – from removing the fallen tree or broken branches, to offering advice on whose responsibility the fallen tree is.

We would always advise you to consult a tree surgeon before you commence your clean-up because it is important you understand the risks involved.

Fallen or damaged trees are not only a safety issue but can also cause significant disruption, especially if the incident happens in a public place or the tree has fallen onto a building. In these circumstances our experts at Prince Tree Surgery advise that you should contact us to assess the damage and carry out the removal work safely and efficiently for an agreed price.

Sadly there are many ways trees can sustain water and wind damage. If a tree splits at a weak fork it is likely to cause a large wound. Whilst the tree may remain structurally safe for some years, decay can develop around this area and the tree may become unsafe, ultimately requiring removal. Where large splits have occurred, it may be sensible to remove the damaged tree and replace it altogether with a new tree.

The loss of branches from a tree is not necessarily indicative that the whole tree has become dangerous. Trees will often shed branches as a defence mechanism against being blown over, or losing larger branches. Furthermore, coniferous trees may shed many branches because they have developed with a year round battering resistance.

Broken branches, and those which may be hanging in the tree, should be treated as a priority. Where major branches have been lost further tree surgery works may be required to visually rebalance the tree.

It is also important to be aware of swaying trees in your garden. Swaying is generally normal but after extreme damage from Saturday’s rainfall and winds you should inspect your trees looking for any signs of storm damage.

Remember if a tree falls down on private land, it is the property owners who are responsible of that particular tree. Also if the fallen tree is protected by a Tree Preservation Order or is in a conservation area, written consent needs to be obtained from the local authority and you should report this to them before undertaking the works. Again our experts here at Prince Tree Surgery can help on any matter of Tree Preservation Orders.

If you require any further information please contact us as Prince Tree Surgery on 01277 229709.

How much will it cost to cut down my tree?

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Whether you’re planning on landscaping the garden or have a dead and dangerous tree on your hands, it’s always better to seek professional advice when it comes to tree felling. Not only is tree removal a hazardous task there are also restrictions which could leave you on the wrong side of the law if ignored.

Some trees are covered by Tree Preservation Orders, particularly those in protected woodlands. Such an order prevents any part of the tree from being tampered with or felled unless official permission is granted from the local authority. Those who ignore a Tree Preservation Order face a fine up to £20,000.

It can be tempting to fell a tree on a DIY basis but homeowners should be aware that it can be incredibly difficult to fully remove a tree and its stump if you’ve no prior experience. It can also be expensive hiring the necessary equipment needed to bring down the tree and will involve considerable time chopping up the trunk and disposing of the wood in the

Like any service, tree removal costs depend on the complexity and size of the job and it is best to invite a tree surgeon to your home so they can provide a realistic quotation based on the hours likely to be spent on the task. It is impossible to provide a realistic quotation over the phone as a tree surgeon will need to assess access (a tree in a front garden will be easier to tackle than a tree in a back garden with no side access) and also how local the job is.

Removing a small tree (up to about 30 feet high) in an isolated area away from property and other obstacles such as water pipes and electricity cables can cost from £120inc. It can be more expensive if a small tree is located in a confined space as a tree surgeon will need to remove some branches first before the trunk can be felled. The job will involve a greater degree of caution and care and as such will be more time-consuming.

A larger tree reaching beyond 60ft in height will require greater planning, possibly more workers and more equipment and the cost will reflect the additional work. Prices for larger trees which are isolated and not close to properties or utilities can range from £450inc, however a more realistic price is £660inc (which represents a day’s work for a team of three). At the upper end, you could pay £3,000. Again, it is important to invite the tree surgeon to your property to fully assess the tree and its surroundings so that an accurate removal quotation can be given. Dangerous trees which overhang roads or highways will require traffic control measures and possibly road closures and it is your responsibility to gain the necessary consent of the local authority as any damage to roads or pavements caused during the felling will be your responsibility. In some cases, the homeowner will be left with the cost of implementing measures such as temporary traffic lights and road diversions. It is crucial to hire a reputable tree surgery firm for such a task as they will be able to handle all correspondence with the local authority and will also hold the necessary indemnity insurance to protect their work.

Stump grinding can involve an additional fee and homeowners should bear in mind some tree surgery businesses charge extra for disposing the wood. At Prince Tree Surgery, all our prices are inclusive of disposal and customers can be reassured that all wood is recycled via our log business.