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Summer tree maintenance: protecting your trees from heat and storms

Summer can bring a whole manner of challenges for trees- from heat stress and drought to summer storms. At Simpson Arboriculture, we know first-hand that regular tree maintenance can help keep trees healthy and reduce risks.

High temperatures and drought can hugely impact the health of trees. It can cause leaf scorch, wilting and dehydration. Signs to look out for include brown or curling leaves and even premature leaf drop.

How to protect your trees from heat stress

Adding a layer of mulch around the base of a tree is a great way to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature. Deep watering is also vital to help trees stay hydrated. During hot weather, we would recommend watering early in the morning or late in the evening. Watering during hot, sunny weather can cause leaves to scorch. Deep watering is much more effective than frequent, shallow watering.

For suggestions of tree species that cope well with dry, hot conditions, you can gain more information by having a read of The Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS) article: Trees for Climate Change.

The risks of summer storms

Summer storms can wreak havoc for your trees. They often bring ample amounts of rainfall which can cause waterlogging. They also very often bring high winds. This can cause tree branches to break and fall. Any weak points in trees that have been left unchecked can soon make themselves known in the form of snapped out branches or falling limbs.

Preparing for stormy weather

As with many things, preparation is key! We always recommend assessing your trees regularly to ensure that they are in good health and vitality. As part of your summer tree maintenance, checking for weak points, dead branches or even overgrown branches is essential. These could quickly become hazardous if left unchecked. Did you know that thinning out a tree’s canopy can reduce wind resistance by allowing the wind to move through it more easily? 

At Simpson Arboriculture, our professional team can advise you on the health and condition of your trees, and suggest key maintenance work to keep them healthy and minimise risk. From removing dead branches, thinning a tree’s canopy or reducing overhanging branches, we have the knowledge and expertise to advise you on what is most necessary. Our friendly team at Simpson Arboriculture can take care of the whole process from start to finish.

Get in touch

In conclusion, it’s always good to be prepared! Summer tree maintenance is very often better (and cheaper) than dealing with dehydrated or storm damaged trees afterwards. As a tree owner, there are lots of things you can do to ensure the health of your trees yourself, from mulching and regular watering, to doing annual visual checks of your trees.

If you think your trees would benefit from some expert tree maintenance work, contact Simpson Arboriculture. You can reach us in the office or via our website. We are always happy to discuss different options, sharing our professional opinions and quote for any work that is needed.

Summer pruning of tree
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Hiring a tree surgeon in Lincolnshire: Ask an expert

Do you need a tree pruning, removing or assessing? Hiring a professional tree surgeon in Lincolnshire such as Simpson Arboriculture ensures the job is done safely and efficiently. But if you have never used a tree surgeon before, you may be wondering what to expect.

Here’s a guide to help you understand the process. We can guide you in what to look for when hiring a tree surgeon in Lincolnshire. Simpson Arboriculture are available to cover all of your tree surgery needs.

1. Initial contact and consultation

At Simpson Arboriculture, the process begins with an initial enquiry. This is either by phone, email or via our online form. At this stage, our tree surgery customers in Lincolnshire provide their contact details. It’s also a good idea to provide details such as:

  • The type of tree work required (ie.. tree pruning, tree crown reduction, tree removal, site clearance, stump grinding, etc)
  • The size and location of the tree/s
  • Any access restrictions or potential challenges
  • If the tree is in a conservation area or is protected by a TPO (Tree Preservation Order).

2. Site visit and quotation

For us, the next step would be to arrange a site visit. This usually involves one of our experienced managers coming out to have a look in person.

During the visit they will:

  • Evaluate the health and structure of the tree/s
  • Assess potential risks and safety concerns
  • Consider factors like nearby buildings, power lines or protected areas
  • Recommend the best course of action

This is also a great opportunity for them to foresee any challenges or restrictions that need to be planned for.

Following the site visit, you will receive a written quotation. This is usually by email, although we can also send this out as a paper copy if required. This will include details of the work specification, our terms and conditions and a total cost.

3. Understanding the work plan

Any reputable tree surgeon such as Simpson Arboriculture in Lincolnshire will explain the work in detail. This ensures that our customer understands the process. This may include:

  • The equipment that will be used (e.g. a MEWP for access the tree, stump grinder, or tractor and trailer to remove waste etc)
  • Waste removal options (e.g. chipping and removing all waste, leaving chip or logs for the customer)
  • Any necessary permissions (e.g. where there are TPO or Conservation Area restrictions)
  • If a power line shutdown is required for the work to be carried out safely

For these services (permissions or power shutdowns), we can apply and oversee the whole process for a £25 admin fee. This will be listed on the quotation where applicable.

We always include a copy of our company’s Terms and Conditions, and encourage our customers to get in touch with our friendly team if they have any queries.

4. Accepting the quote and booking in

If the customer is happy with the quotation, they will contact us in the office to let us know they would like to go ahead. We will then come back with our next available date. This can vary depending on the nature of the job, time of year and how busy we are. We do always try and notify customers early on if we have a particularly long wait time.

At this stage, our staff at Simpson Arboriculture would then make a start on any TPO/ conservation area applications if required. They would also get in touch with National Grid to arrange a power shutdown if needed.

5. The day of the job

We will always notify our customers of an approximate arrival time for our team, so they know when to expect them. We will usually ask for any cars to be moved off the drive beforehand if they require access for vehicles or machinery. The team leader will knock on the door and check in with you, go through any final details and ask any questions. This is a great time to ask anything you are unsure about, or let the team know any other information they might need.

The team will then get started! They work hard and are very self-sufficient, so at this stage you can rest assured that everything is being taken care of by our experienced and professional team.

On completion of the work, the team will then let you know they are finished and ask you to come out and check that you are happy with everything. It’s really important to let the team know if you have any queries at this point, e.g. if anything has been missed. It’s always better to resolve any issues while the team are there. Our friendly team will endeavour to ensure that our customers are fully satisfied with the work carried out. 

6. After the job & payment

Once all of the work has been completed and you are happy with everything, we will then send you an invoice. This is usually within one to three days. We offer payment via BACS transfer, or we accept cheques. We always love to hear feedback from our customers. This helps us know what we are doing well, and if there are any areas we can improve on. an email or a phone call are always appreciated if you do have feedback you would like to share. Our team in the office can then ensure this is passed onto the rest of the team.

Get in touch!

Overall, hiring a professional tree surgery company such as Simpson Arboriculture takes the stress out of the job. Our customers can rest assured that the whole process will be taken care of from start to finish, and the job will be completed safely and effectively. By allowing our customers to understand the process, you can feel confident in choosing the right professionals for your garden needs.

You can visit our website to find out more about the services we can offer.

If you require a tree surgeon based in Lincolnshire, get in touch! Our friendly team are available to contact by phone, or via our enquiry form on our website. Quotations are free of charge and we are always happy to discuss your needs and answer any questions you may have.

Professional tree surgeons in Lincolnshire

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Ash dieback: what landowners need to know

Ash dieback is a serious disease affecting ash trees across Europe. It is caused by the fungus Hymenoscyphus Fraxineus and can have a detrimental effect on this species of tree. It can lead to symptoms such as leaf loss, crown dieback and often decline or death of the tree. That’s why it is imperative for landowners to be aware of the implications of ash dieback, both for the health of your trees and the safety of those around you.

Our team at Simpson Arboriculture are knowledgeable and experienced in assessing and carrying out work on trees with ash dieback. Our approaches vary widely depending on the scale of the decline and the location of the tree. Trees are essential for a thriving environment and not all trees that have ash dieback need to be removed. We consider a range of factors to determine the best approach in managing ash dieback.

Ash dieback: landowner responsibilities

  1. Identification and monitoring. It is important to inspect ash trees regularly and monitor any decline or signs of dieback. This can include blackened leaf stems, wilting leaves and dead branches.
  2. Documentation. It is helpful to keep records of any of your ash trees you have concerns about. E.g., in the form of dated photos and observations. These can be useful to compare over time, especially if you are concerned that a tree is showing signs of decline.
  3. Consult a professional. We would always recommend speaking to a professional, such as our experienced team at Simpson Arboriculture. We can identify signs of ash dieback and offer advice on an appropriate course of action.

Ash dieback: public safety

Trees weakened by ash dieback can pose a risk of failing. Dieback can severely affect the stability of the tree. Even if a tree looks stable from the outside, it can still behave unpredictably. Trees with ash dieback are at a higher risk of falling or having limbs or branches break. Public safety is of the utmost importance and landowners should consider the following points:

  1. Risk assessment. Conducting regular risk assessments or having a professional arborist do so for you is important. This is particularly true if your trees are close to paths, roads, buildings and public spaces.
  2. Preventative action. Sometimes, removing certain branches or reducing the crown of the tree can mitigate potential hazards.

At Simpson Arboriculture, we have machinery such as MEWPs, excavators and our tractor. These can be used when a tree is not safe for our arborists to climb. It is recommended that trees with ash dieback are sectionally dismantled rather than felled. This is because ash dieback can affect the structural integrity of a tree, making them highly unpredictable. This is a great way to ensure that the job is carried out with safety as the first priority.

Ash dieback: legal considerations

  1. Duty of care. As a landowner, you have a legal duty to ensure that trees on your property do not pose a danger to others.
  2. Regulations and permissions. Check with your local authority regarding any conservation areas or Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs). This might mean that you are required to submit an application to apply for permission before having any tree work carried out.
  3. Wildlife protection. It’s also important to be aware of laws for wildlife protection. For example, some activities may need to be restricted during certain times of the year due to nesting birds.

Ash dieback: protecting wildlife

As with many native species, ash trees provide an abundant habitat for a range of wildlife including birds, insects and fungi. Therefore, both tree owners and arborists need to consider the impact on wildlife and works planned accordingly.

For example, you may choose to leave an ash tree that is in decline but well away from any roads, paths or public spaces may be left if it has good habitat potential. Alternatively, if an ash tree must be removed for safety purposes, the landowner may consider leaving the stem as a ‘habitat pole’ so it can still provide a habitat for some wildlife.

Trees absorb a huge amount of carbon from the atmosphere. As ash trees are the second most abundant tree species in the UK after oak trees (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, June 2019), they are not only an important part of our landscape and environment, but essential in combatting climate change.

Ash dieback: when to take action

Early stages. Monitor and document the health of your ash trees, or ask a trusted arboricultural professional. Minor infections may not require immediate action, but changes should be monitored annually.

Advanced infection. Trees showing multiple signs of ash dieback, e.g., dead branches and structural issues, should be assessed by a professional. Pruning or removal of certain branches or limbs may be required to prevent future risks.

Preventative measures. In busy public areas with lots of infrastructure, proactive removal of infected trees may be advised to prevent future risks.

Conclusion

To conclude, it is imperative for landowners to be aware of their role and responsibilities in managing ash dieback. Landowners have a duty to monitor and identify the signs of ash dieback and consult a professional arborist for further advice if they are concerned. You can also refer to A Farmer’s Guide to Ash Dieback for further information.

Simpson Arboriculture are a professional and trusted local tree surgery company based in Ancaster, Lincolnshire. With over 18 years’ experience, we have gained a great reputation for carrying out all areas of tree work safely and efficiently.

If you are concerned that your trees may be showing signs of ash dieback, you can get in touch with us via our enquiry form on our website, or you can give us a call in the office.   

References

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ash-tree-research-strategy-2019/conserving-our-ash-trees-and-mitigating-the-impacts-of-pests-and-diseases-of-ash-a-vision-and-high-level-strategy-for-ash-research#ministerial-foreword

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