How much does tree surgery cost?

Tree surgery is a beneficial and worthwhile investment for homeowners. It can make your trees safer and healthier and even add value to your home. At Simpson Arboriculture, one of the questions we are most asked is ‘How much does tree surgery cost?’. This is an important question for anyone considering having tree work carried out.  

There are many factors that we take into consideration when pricing tree surgery work. It is important for customers to be aware of these factors. Our aim in this blog is to demystify the process. We want to help our customers to understand more about how a price is reached. We are always happy to provide a breakdown of a given price and answer any questions you may have.

One size doesn’t fit all

Every job is different and there is no ‘One size fits all’ when it comes to tree surgery. There are copious different species of trees. There are also numerous types of tree surgery, from pruning to removal. All of these require different lengths of time, different equipment and approaches. For example, the annual pruning of a small fruit tree may only take an hour using hand tools. This may involve an arborist working from the ground. This would therefore result in a lower price than any larger job.

A removal of a large beech tree would require a completely different approach. This may require a larger team of arborists, the hiring of equipment such as a Mobile Elevated Work Platform (MEWP). A job of this scale could take several days. This would therefore increase both the labour and equipment costs. These are just two examples and there are many more in between that would result in a different cost. This is due to factors such as the labour, equipment involved and the method required to carry out the work.

Location

When it comes to tree surgery, location is an important factor to consider. This encompasses many elements within it and can certainly have an impact on tree surgery cost. We ask questions such as:

  • What is the access like?
  • Is it in close proximity to a building?
  • Are there any powerlines overhead?
  • Is there space for our equipment close to the tree?
  • Are there any other obstacles to avoid?

A situation we often come across is trees being situated in a garden with a narrow access from the road. This sort of job would likely take longer due to our team having to remove any waste by hand. Our team may be required to remove any waste by hand, and then chipped on the roadside or removed in a van or trailer.

Another consideration would be if a tree was situated in a garden with many obstacles. For example, this could be a conservatory, a summer house or a children’s play area. Our experienced team can work carefully to avoid any such obstacles, but this can mean that a job takes longer.

The condition of a tree

This is another important factor that needs careful consideration from an expert. Is the tree in poor condition? What about evidence of disease or fungi? Is the tree safe for our arborists to climb? Does it have dangerous overhanging branches?

If a tree is dead/ dying or generally in poor condition, this would have a big impact on what approach is needed. Safety is always a top priority for us at Simpson Arboriculture, and minimising the risk requires careful planning prior to work being carried out.

If a tree is unsafe to climb, we may choose to use mechanical methods such as a tractor, excavator or MEWP. The hiring of mechanical equipment can make a job more expensive. Although, it’s also worth considering that mechanical methods can be much quicker and more efficient than manual methods, so in some cases it would decrease the overall cost. Again, all jobs are different and it will depend on the circumstances and nature of the work.

What next?

At Simpson Arboriculture, we will arrange for an experienced member of our team to come out and do a quote in person. We find that this is the best way to understand what work is required, and the scale and nature of the job. They will also be able to access what the access is like and whether it would be possible to access the trees with our equipment such as a chipper, MEWP or stump grinder.

If you are interested in finding out tree surgery cost, get in touch with us either by phone or via our website. We would be happy to provide any information you need and discuss options with you.

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Benefits of tree surgery

At Simpson Arboriculture, we know all about how useful and valuable tree surgery is. There really are so many benefits! But as a customer, it can sometimes be confusing. Do my trees need work? What are the benefits of tree surgery? Is it really a good investment? It is certainly worth you asking these important questions.

As experienced tree surgeons, we would always encourage you to explore the reasons for wanting to carry out tree work. It is also worth considering what your aims are for your garden and property.  This could be aesthetic; it could also be practical. Whatever you’re thinking, we can help!

In this blog we aim to explain and clarify what the benefits of tree surgery are and explore how you and your trees might benefit.

Safety first

Tree surgery helps identify and address potential hazards such as dead branches, diseased trees, or unstable limbs. These things could all pose a risk to your property and your family. We know many of our customers at Simpson Arboriculture want to rule out the risk of a branch or tree failing. The thought of a branch or tree failing can quickly become an ongoing worry. For example, a branch snapping could destroy a fence or summer house. In an even worse scenario, this could cause damage to a house or even injury to a person. Expert tree surgery can eliminate this worry. At Simpson Arboriculture, we use a wide variety of techniques to help remove the risk of a tree failing.

Healthy trees

Another important point is that tree surgery can promote the overall health and vitality of your trees. Our fully qualified arborists at Simpson Arboriculture can help to care for your trees and ensure they thrive and live longer.

Increased Property Value

Well-maintained trees significantly enhance the aesthetic appeal of your property, making it more attractive to potential buyers. Professional tree surgery can improve the overall appearance, which can increase your property’s value. Our team at Simpson Arboriculture would be happy to talk to you about your aims for your garden and help you to achieve this through the right tree work.

Improved Structural Integrity

Tree surgery techniques like pruning and trimming can improve the structural integrity of trees. By removing weak or overgrown branches, you reduce the risk of breakage during storms or high winds, safeguarding your property and nearby structures.

Enhanced Sunlight Exposure

Overgrown trees can block sunlight from reaching your property and garden, inhibiting the growth of other plants. Tree surgery helps maintain a balanced canopy, allowing adequate light penetration and encouraging the growth of undergrowth or garden vegetation. At Simpson Arboriculture, we often carry out crown thinning on trees to achieve this purpose. This can make a huge difference to the amount of light coming into the garden, thus ensuring that homeowners can enjoy their garden through the year.  

Storm Damage Mitigation

Trees that have undergone regular tree surgery are better equipped to withstand severe weather conditions. Proper pruning and maintenance can reduce the likelihood of storm damage, including falling limbs or uprooted trees that could cause significant property damage.

Environmental Sustainability

By investing in tree surgery, you actively contribute to environmental sustainability. Healthy trees provide shade, reduce energy consumption by cooling your property naturally, and act as a habitat for birds and other wildlife, fostering biodiversity.

Trees also play a crucial role in purifying the air by absorbing harmful pollutants and releasing oxygen. Tree surgery ensures the continued health and vitality of trees. This contributes to cleaner air and a healthier environment around your property.

How we can help

In conclusion, it is always best to seek the advise of a qualified tree surgery company. At Simpson Arboriculture, we offer free quotations and can advise customers on their tree care and how their trees might benefit from having work carried out.

For more information, speak to our friendly team by phoning our office. You can also enquire on our website. We would be happy to arrange a site visit to discuss your tree work needs and help you discover how you and your trees could benefit.

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How to choose the right tree surgeon

With a myriad of companies now offering tree work, the big question is ‘How do I choose the right tree surgeon?’ This is a valid question and one that we at Simpson Arboriculture are very aware of. We know it can be challenging for customers to decide on the right people for the job. How do you know if the company know what they’re doing? Are they insured? What about their qualifications and training?

Therefore, asking the right questions is the best place to start.

What does the right tree surgery company look like?

Firstly, we would suggest having a look at a tree surgery company’s website. I’m sure you know that any reasonable company will include sufficient information here, including their insurance, accreditations and examples of previous work carried out. It will also give you an indication of how professional the tree surgery company is. It’s useful to know that companies often include testimonials from previous customers too which gives a realistic and honest reflection on their work and capabilities. Another thing you can do is search for Google reviews to find out more.

A few questions that are worth asking are:

  1. Are they insured?
  2. Are they fully qualified?
  3. Do they have the right tools for the job?
  4. How experienced are they?
  5. What about their work standards?
  6. What do their previous customers say?

With that in mind, it is certainly worth giving them a call or an email. This will be telling about a company’s customer service. You will soon get a feel if they are friendly and approachable or not.

Great tree surgeons have a great reputation

Another thing to think about is how well established the tree surgery company are in your local area. It’s usually worth asking around to see who your friends, family and neighbours use for their tree and hedge work. This is a great way to get an honest and authentic answer about the company’s customer service, the standard of work and the level of experience and competency of the arborists.  

Consult the experts on choosing your tree surgeons

For more information on how to choose the right tree surgeon, the Arboricultural Association (Arb Association) have produced a helpful leaflet on choosing a tree surgeon. This will give you some further details about the questions you should be asking and other considerations when choosing a tree surgeon.  

As Arb Approved contractors, Simpson Arboriculture have completed a thorough and rigorous checking process to gain this prestigious accreditation. Many customers are already aware that it is highly valued and widely recognised in the industry. This accreditation gives our customers peace of mind that we are the right people for the job, so you can make

Choosing a tree surgeon

In conclusion, there are so many reasons why you should choose Simpson Arboriculture as the tree surgery company to carry out your tree work:

  • We’ve got the tools. At Simpson Arboriculture, we are fully equipped with our own machinery and utilise modern techniques to get the job done quickly, efficiently and safely
  • Fully insured. With our Public and Employers’ Liability Insurance in place, we are fully covered for all aspects of the work we carry out. This gives our customers and clients peace of mind. We take care of everything!
  • High standards. All work is carried out to ‘British Standards BS 3998: 2010 Tree Work- recommendations’. So our team will ensure that the finished result both looks great and supports the overall health of the tree
  • Certified. We have been officially recognised as being qualified to perform tree work by multiple health and safety bodies. This recognises that we work safely and carry out work to the highest standard
  • 17 years’ experience. We are a trusted and well-established local tree surgery company. With ample experience, we have worked hard to build a strong customer base and a great reputation, both locally and further afield
  • Great customer support. With a friendly and professional team, many of our customers come back year on year and recommend us to their neighbours, family and friends
  • Environmental awareness. From ecology to biosecurity, we work alongside a wide range of professionals to minimise our environmental footprint. Our waste is 100% recycled!

Our friendly team are always happy to talk to you about your tree surgery needs. To find out more, give us a call or enquire through our website. At Simpson Arboriculture, we can help you to choose the right tree surgeon for the job!

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Demystifying Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) and Conservation Areas in England: A Guide for Tree Owners

At Simpson Arboriculture, we understand the importance of tree preservation and the legal frameworks in place to protect our natural environment. In this blog post, we aim to shed light on Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) and conservation areas in England. This aims to help our tree surgery customers understand their significance and how they may impact their trees.

Understanding Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs)

A Tree Preservation Area (TPO) is usually made and managed by a local planning authority, i.e. a local council. As the name suggests, they aim to preserve and protect a tree, woodland or group of trees. These are trees or groups that are valuable to the local area.

TPOs make it unlawful to cut, damage or fell a recognised tree without permission from the local planning authority.

The best way to check if a tree has a TPO is on the local council website. Local council websites often include interactive maps where you can check for any TPOs.

Exploring Conservation Areas

So what defines a conservation area? This is a designated area within a town, village or urban area that is considered to have special architectural or historical interest. These areas are often recognised by their unique character, distinctive buildings and overall environmental quality. Their aim is to preserve heritage and natural beauty.

If an area is designated as a conservation area, it is subject to stricter planning controls and regulations compared to non-designated areas. This includes trees!

However, there are some exemptions. According to the Arboricultural Association:

“You do not need to give notice of work on a tree in conservation area less than 7.5 centimetres in diameter, measured 1.5 metres above the ground (or 10 centimetres if thinning to help the growth of other trees”.

Hedges are also exempt from conservation area restrictions.

How we can help

If you are within a conservation area or want to carry out work on any of your TPO trees, we can help! At Simpson Arboriculture, we are very familiar with the process of putting together an application and applying for permissions for the work. Homeowners can find this process a bit daunting if they haven’t done it before. So for a small admin fee, we can take the stress away and oversee the whole application process.  

Simply give you a call in the office or visit our website. We can arrange a convenient day and time for one of our team to come and do a site visit. Our experienced team can quote for any tree surgery work and discuss details regarding an application you may want to make. On acceptance of the quotation, we can then begin the application process on your behalf.

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When to buy firewood: Why summer is the ideal time to stock up

At Simpson Arboriculture, we sell kiln-dried firewood logs all through the year. But when it comes to buying them, many people tend to wait until the colder months to make their purchase. However, waiting until autumn and winter to buy firewood might not be your best option. Here are a few reasons why:

  1. Stock Availability

During the winter months, suppliers such as Simpson Arboriculture can quickly run low on stock due to high demand. By purchasing your logs in the summer, you can ensure that you have enough stock for the entire autumn and winter seasons. This means you won’t have to worry about running out of logs or making multiple trips to a store during the colder months. This can be an expensive endeavour, not to mention stressful as the weather turns colder.

2. Convenience

Buying firewood in the summer is also more convenient. Purchasing and storing your firewood before the colder months arrive makes it easier to keep your home warm and cosy during the winter. By planning ahead and buying firewood in the summer, you can avoid the last-minute rush and enjoy the winter season without worrying about running out of firewood. Isn’t it much more preferable to stack and organise your logs before the freezing temperatures arrive?

3. Shorter wait times

This is a great reason to stock up early! At Simpson Arboriculture, we have many local customers in Lincolnshire who all need firewood for when the weather turns colder. While this is great news for us, it does mean that our wait times during the winter months can be up to 3 or 4 weeks. During the summer months however, we often have logs dry and ready for delivery.

4. Summer uses for firewood

Let’s not forget, there are still plenty of ways to use logs during the summer. One common use is for outdoor fire pits or bonfires during summer evenings. They can also be used for cooking or grilling, adding a delicious smoky flavour to your food. In addition, firewood can be used for camping trips or outdoor events, providing warmth and ambiance on cool summer nights. By choosing a year round firewood supplier such as Simpson Arboriculture, you can have it on hand for all of your summer needs.

Conclusion

In conclusion, summer is the best time to buy your logs for a variety of reasons. Stock availability, convenience and shorter or even no wait times are all factors that make buying firewood in the summer a smart choice. Don’t wait until the colder months to stock up on firewood – contact Simpson Arboriculture today to get stocked up. Visit our online log store for more information. You can place your order online or you can give us a call to order your logs and ask any questions. Plan ahead and buy in the summer to ensure that you have enough logs for the entire winter season.

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Overhanging trees and branches: Everything you need to know

Do you have trees on your property? Then you may have overhanging trees and branches that extend into your neighbour’s side. While it is your responsibility to maintain your trees, it’s also important to consider the impact they may have on your neighbours. Simpson Arboriculture are here to help! Here’s what you need to know about overhanging branches and what you can do about them.

Understanding Your Responsibilities

As a property owner, you have a responsibility to ensure that your trees do not pose a hazard to your neighbours or their property. This includes ensuring that any overhanging trees and branches do not cause damage or obstruct views. Failure to maintain your trees could result in legal action being taken against you.

Your Right to Abate

If you have overhanging branches that are causing problems, you have the right to trim them back on your side of the boundary, providing there are no Tree Preservation Order (TPO) or conservation area restrictions. This is known as the “right to abate” or “self-help” and is a common law principle. However, it’s important to ensure that you don’t damage the tree or cause harm to it in the process. It is always best to consult a professional such as Simpson Arboriculture for any tree surgery work. If a tree is subject to a TPO or is within the boundary of a conservation area, an application would have to be sent to the district council to seek permission.

Obtaining Permission

Before trimming any overhanging branches, it’s important to speak to your neighbour and obtain their permission. While you may have the right to trim back the branches, you don’t have the right to enter your neighbour’s property to do so without their permission.

Seeking Professional Help

When it comes to tree surgery, it is always best to seek professional help from a reputable tree surgery company. A qualified arborist or tree surgeon can assess the situation and safely trim the branches. Simpson Arboriculture are well established in Lincolnshire and have many years’ experience in a wide range of tree surgery.

Legal Action

If your neighbour refuses to allow you to trim back the overhanging branches or if the trimming could potentially harm the tree, you may need to seek legal assistance to resolve the matter. This could involve mediation or taking legal action against your neighbour.

Conclusion

Overhanging branches can be a cause of frustration between neighbours. However, don’t be put off. There are ways to deal with the problem in a positive and amicable way. Simpson Arboriculture have much experience in this and can meet with you and your neighbours to discuss options. We can advise on the best course of action and ensure that the health of the tree is not compromised.

By understanding your responsibilities as a property owner and seeking advise from a qualified tree surgeon such as Simpson Arboriculture, you can maintain your trees and keep your neighbours happy. Finally, remember to always communicate with your neighbour and obtain their permission before trimming any overhanging branches.

To find out more and to get some advise from our experienced team, get in touch with us today via our website.

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Tree removal challenges: how we can help

Our professional, highly trained arborists at Simpson Arboriculture love a challenge! And one of the biggest challenges we often get asked about is how to remove a tree in less-than-ideal circumstances. It may be a narrow access or a small garden full of obstacles. Our aim is to carry out the work safely and efficiently.

Here are 5 of the most common challenges in tree removal and how we can tackle them

Limited access

This is a very common one. Our customers may have a small garden, narrow access or limited space for our team to work with. This is something our team have ample experience in. We can offer solutions such as using rigging techniques for tree removal in smaller sections. Our team can also remove any waste by hand or drag branches out onto a road or driveway.

Obstacles

Green houses, conservatories or a vegetable patch are common obstacles that our team are required to work around. Causing minimal damage to the surrounding area is always an important consideration for us during a tree removal. We are always finding creative ways to work around them! We have rigged branches over greenhouses and used speed line techniques where there is a small drop zone to avoid any damage. 

Close to water

Carrying out any work close to a pond or river requires careful preparation and planning. Our experienced team are able to carry out tree removal close to and even over water. As with any work we embark on, it depends on the specifics of the job. A smaller tree near to shallow water may require our team to put their waders on if they’re going to be standing in water that is ankle to knee deep. Alternatively, if a tree growing near to deeper water or a fast-flowing river it may need a different approach. In these circumstances, use of machinery may be required so our team can work from the safety of the bank. This might be through the use of an excavator or our grapple saw which can cut the trunk and fell the tree mechanically.   

Near to a busy road

If a tree is on the side of a road, we may have to organise traffic management to ensure that both our team and members of the public are not put at any risk. Depending on the size of the tree and duration of the work, we can use signs, cones or traffic lights if the work requires any of the road to be blocked off. We always consider factors such as rush hour traffic or nearby schools to ensure that any work causes minimal disruption to the local community.

Removing a dead or unsafe tree

If a tree has a number of dead branches or has become damaged, this will cause the tree to be unsafe for our arborists to climb. In these circumstances, we may instead use specialist equipment such as a Mobile Elevated Work Platform (MEWP). This means that our arborists can still carry out the work, but without relying on branches that may fail. 

What should you do about it?

At Simpson Arboriculture, we know from experience that a problem tree can quickly become a worry. However, with our team’s expertise and years of experience, we can help give our customers peace of mind by taking care of the logistics.

Do you have a tree that you think needs some attention but you’re not sure how to tackle it? If so, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at Simpson Arboriculture. We offer free, no obligation quotes to help you solve the problem.

You can visit our website for more information on tree removal.

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