Our Services:

Crown Thinning

Crown thinning is the removal of carefully selected live branches from throughout the tree’s canopy. This allows more light to come through the canopy. The aim of crown thinning is to achieve an even density of foliage throughout the crown around a balanced and attractive structure to the tree. This can make trees less vulnerable to the potential damaging effects of strong winds.

Crown Reduction

Crown reduction is undertaken to reduce the height and/or spread of a tree. The aim of crown reduction is to reduce mechanical stress on a tree, to make the tree more suited to its environment, or to increase light to a site. The final result will retain a large proportion of the tree’s main framework, as well as its leaf bearing structure. It’s important not to reduce a crown too much – this can have dangerous implications for the tree. This is particularly relevant if the tree is a more mature tree, as removing large limbs can leave large wounds on the tree, which may become susceptible to pest and disease.

Crown Lifting

Crown lifting lifts the lowest part of the canopy to a desired height. The lowest branches are removed creating more space under the tree’s canopy. Some examples of where this tree surgery service can be effective are: when a tree is growing over a pavement, a lawn, street, vehicle access or over a bus stop

If a tree is not regularly pruned back, this can lead to damage to property. It can also restrict access routes or fire escapes for commercial properties

Tree Deadwooding

Dead wooding is the removal of all dead wood throughout the canopy of the tree, which is normally done in the interests of safety as high winds can easily blow dead wood out. In some cases it is good to leave dead wood, if possible, as it creates a good habitat for wildlife, including bats and woodpeckers.

Coppicing

Coppicing is the practice of reducing a tree all the way down to a ‘stool’, with the intention of encouraging regrowth in multiple stems. This practice of tree management is only applicable to certain species of tree. Coppicing is an ancient woodland management technique that is also popular for commercial ventures. For example, Hazel is often coppiced for the production of walking sticks. The production of charcoal also relies on this technique in the wood’s development

Coppicing must be maintained on a cyclical basis, to produce consistent size regrowth and to avoid old stools falling apart under their own weight. There are also particular seasons when a tree should be coppiced if the health and condition of the tree is to be maintained

Pollarding

Pollarding is the practice of a cycle of pruning that maintains a small, compact canopy. Ideally pollarding is first done to a tree when it is young. It then needs to be repeated at regular intervals to maintain the shape and health of the tree. Although we don’t recommend it, pollarding can also be completed on an older tree by completing an aggressive cut to bring the tree back to pollard points

Once a tree has been pollarded, this practice needs to be maintained for the rest of the tree’s natural life. This is because pollard points can become weak over time. The frequency at which this needs to be done is normally every 3-5 years, depending on the species of the tree

Tree Removal

When do we remove trees?

Although we strive to keep trees wherever possible, when the need arises we remove trees safely and efficiently. Trees need removing for a number of reasons; they may be dead, dangerous or simply in the wrong place.

There are two approaches that can be taken to tree felling, and these are dependent on the space available. The space available is determined by the potential damage caused to other people and property by the tree coming down.

Where there is sufficient space – directional tree felling is used. This is where a tree is felled from the ground, and brought down in one go. Our team will then carefully dismantle the tree. All brushwood will then be chipped and timber retained or taken away as desired

In locations where there isn’t sufficient room for the tree to use directional felling, a tree can be taken down piece by piece. Our tree surgeons access the canopy using a rope and harness. From here, they are able to dismantle the tree by accurately dropping a section at a time. Branches can be lowered in a controlled manner where there is a risk of causing damage. The cut off pieces are dropped into a specific safe area – away from buildings or people. In some instances, it may be necessary to use ropes to lower the tree one section at a time.

Stump Removal

What is stump removal?

After a tree has been removed, the stump will still remain in the ground. In some cases, people opt to keep the stump, as it can be retained as a habitat or a sculpted feature. However, many would like to remove the stump to make way for other site developments, or new flora and fauna. We work with our clients to create an agreed plan of action based upon their wishes for the site. This factors in the expected future uses of the site and also the relevant advantages and disadvantages of stump retention

There are many reasons why a stump should be removed, it might be a trip hazard, you may wish to plant new trees in the area, or build on the area. There are a variety of methods used for removing a tree stump but the main one we use is grinding.

Stump grinding is used when the stump needs to be ground down to below the ground surface. This is done with a stump grinder, a specialist piece of machinery. The machine grinds down the main bole of the stump, producing grindings in the process. We leave the grindings in situ to rot down. Initially the grindings will sit proud of the hole, but as the organic matter decomposes, these will sink and typically leave a level surface. We do also offer an additional service of grinding removal.

Pests & Diseases

Why do pests and diseases need to be managed?

Trees are a huge benefit to our landscape, but there are many pests and tree diseases that can bring significant damage. If left unchecked, you might find yourself with no option but to remove the tree. In the UK alone, there are over a hundred pests and diseases that are attacking the native trees. This is why we provide tree disease treatment and pest management services

Damage to trees can be caused by pests such as the Oak Processionary Moth or the Green Fly. Damage can also come from animals such as deer, rabbits, squirrels or insect infestations

There are a number of aggressive tree diseases in the UK, these broadly come as either bacterial or fungal infections. Tree diseases can also come in the form of viral infections

The first step is always to identify what pest or disease is present. Once identified, we can then advocate the best course of management

When do we use tree disease treatment?

Once a pest of disease has been identified, we can then advise on the best course of action to manage the tree. Due to the aggressive nature of some diseases, it’s always best to act quickly, to minimise the spread or any potential damage

Not everything that is alien to the tree is bad for it, for example, there are some fungi that can be essential to a tree’s condition. Others, on the other hand, are a sign that the tree may need immediate remedial action

Considerations

We advise our clients to have a regular tree survey every 15 months. This enables the trees to be viewed in different seasons. Some pests and diseases will only be apparent at certain times of the year.

Hedge Maintenance

What is hedge management?

Hedgerows can be a valuable for both humans and wildlife. For humans, they provide attractive borders and effective boundary markers. For animals, they help support the healthy functioning of ecosystems. Hedgerows also provide shelter for stock and crops, and can reduce wind speed, which slows erosion

Hedge management is an important aspect of a site’s maintenance. Whether your site is commercial, rural or domestic, the care of hedgerows can be a key factor in how much you enjoy and make the best use of your landscape.

Why should you manage hedges?

if left unmanaged, hedges can become out of control. This can lead to dramatic loss of light, and in some circumstances failure. For example, wind can bring down trees in Leyland hedges when they become very tall. Regular trimming (once or twice a year) can help to keep a dense, compact and attractive hedge.

Considerations

The best time of year for hedge management is dependent on species of hedge, and the type of work required. Many of our customers have annual recurring appointments, as their hedges usually require attention at similar points of the year

Hedges can often play host to nesting birds. Whilst light trimming with a hedge trimmer may be possible without disturbing birds, any more major pruning should be carried out outside of the nesting bird season. The nesting bird season is February through until August. Nesting birds do not adhere to the ‘official’ season, and it’s worth noting that nesting birds cannot be disturbed at any time of the year.

Tree Planting

Why do we plant trees?

The Blue Tree Company offers a range of tree planting services. Trees provide a wide range of environmental and ecological benefits to both people and landscapes

If you are considering removing a tree, we would encourage you to think about planting one in its place

Our Tree planting services

• We can plant trees and hedging plants of all sizes

• We can advise our clients on what specific species would be most appropriate for the space and soil type

• If a tree has died due to a disease we would not normally replace it with the same species because of the risk of it becoming infected

• Typically, we recommend native broadleaf trees such as Beech and Oak because they are far more beneficial to native wildlife

• We buy trees and hedging plants only from reputable nurseries, and all trees need to have a plant passport where applicable. Biosecurity is important in limiting the spread of disease

Considerations

When planting new trees, it’s very important to keep the trees well-watered. We offer an irrigation system installation service to assist in this

Young trees can benefit from formative pruning to encourage them to grow in a strong and healthy form. This can reduce problems and expense as the tree grows

Site Clearance

We are well mechanised and equipped to cope with every type of clearance from small scale garden clearances to make way for landscapers to start work, to large scale site clearance for property developers and house builders. We undertake site clearance quickly and safely, removing trees and hedging of any size, along with any surrounding vegetation.

Veteran Tree Care & Management

What is a veteran tree?

A veteran tree can be:

1 – Trees that are of interest biologically, aesthetically or culturally because of their age

2 – Trees in the ancient stage of their lives. Trees reach maturity, then become “over-mature”, and finally, “veteran”

3 – Trees that are old relative to others of their species

What care do they need?

Veteran trees require a unique set of management strategies. There are a number of ways by which a veteran tree can be retained for as long as possible

Some management practices are:

• Retrenchment pruning – crown retrenchment is a natural process that a tree goes through during its senior years. Once a tree has reached its maximum crown size, the tree must retrench in order to survive. This can be bio-mimicked with retrenchment pruning

• Tree propping – this is where props are placed in order to take the weight off vulnerable limbs. This may or may not be in addition to careful pruning

• Tree Bracing – this is where selected limbs are strapped together in order to support each other, or where one limb or trunk supports another. This is something that cannot always be done in veteran trees if none of the limbs are very strong

• Haloing – this is where less important trees are cut down or pruned around the veteran tree so that it is allowed more light, nutrients and water

• Cordoning off – sometimes a tree is important, but not safe to be around. In this circumstance we would create a barrier, such as dead hedging, to stop people coming near. The added benefit here is a reduction in compaction, where continual walking on the ground makes the soil too dense for the roots to breathe

Veteranisation

Veteranisation is a technique whereby younger trees are “damaged” in a way which may speed up the development of the valuable habitats, found otherwise only on very old trees. In this way, we are speeding up the process of young trees becoming veteran. The idea is to mimic natural damage, but not killing the tree

Examples would be:

• Fracture pruning – this is where we mimic tears and fractures in a tree. We use a variety of methods including winching and cutting into using coronet cuts

• Habitat holes – we can cut holes that are suitable for different animals, such as bats and owls. The onset of rot will also encourage insects and invertebrates

Formative

Formative pruning is generally completed when a tree is very young (generally up to 5-10 years). It encourages the tree to grow into an attractive and healthy structural form. Ideally, this pruning should be started when the tree is in the nursery in order to influence the structure, shape or size of a tree’s crown

Formative pruning is used to remove any future weaknesses in the tree and to give a desired shape. Potential weaknesses are caused by crossing branches, or any part of the tree that has grown in an unusual way.

Tree Survey

Landowners and developers use a tree survey report to analyse the impact of a development on an area and its immediate surroundings. Tree reports provide detailed information to developers and landowners regarding the extent to which trees or vegetation will have implications for a proposed development, either through direct occupation of an area that is to be developed on, or on space adjacent to properties that are to be developed.

A tree survey will detail all the information about the trees and vegetation on a site and help determine the trees that are to be retained and those that are required to be removed. A tree survey is extremely useful in that they allow proper informed decisions to be made. A professional tree surveyor or arborist will usually work to the British Standard BS5837. 

A typical survey will usually outline the following:

  • Detail of all the species of tree on site and their specific location

  • Measurements of each tree including height and diameter

  • The approximate age of the tree

  • Condition, health and life expectancy of the tree

  • Recommendations on the status of the tree i.e. whether it is to be retained, removed or requires work

A tree report will clearly collate and present information relating to all trees on a site, with all trees identified and marked out and a recommendation regarding their retention, removal or any required work, such as pruning, in each case.