Tree Surgery

What makes a good tree surgeon?

There are many people who advertise themselves as tree surgeons.

We believe a tree surgeon should fill at least the following criterea.

                 • NPTC 30,31,38,39
                 • Minimum level 2 qualification in Tree surgery or
                    Arboriculture
                 • At least 5 million public liability insurance.
                 • A sound knowledge of tree species.
                 • A good knowledge of pest and disease.
                 • To adhere to the British standards for tree work
                   BS 3998.
                 • To have an up to date health and safety policy.
                 • To be a qualified first aider.

Cairngorm Tree Care are arborists.

We have a holistic approach to all tree work.

We strongly oppose such practices as topping and lopping. It is bad industry practice as well as pre-disposing the tree to pest and disease. There is ALWAYS an alternative.

We support Permaculture and sustainability.

We aim to have minimum impact on the environment.

Sensitive pruning

Crown reductions can be anything from a 5% thin, which is just removing the dead wood and anything that is crossing over up to a maximum 30% reduction.

Crown lifting is removing all branches up to a certain height and cleaning the trunk of all epicormic shoots.

After pruning you should be left with a tree that still looks like a tree.

Topping and lopping is bad industry practice. It pre-disposes the tree to pest and disease. It also weakens the whole structure of the tree. Future growth is liable to snap out.

Formative pruning should be started from the year the tree is planted. By careful pruning and training you can ensure the long term health and safety of the tree.

Formative pruning can also make sure the tree grows to a suitable size and shape for your garden. This will save on drastic pruning in the future.

Tree Removal

Sometimes there is no other alternative than to remove a tree.

If there is sufficient room a tree can be straight felled.

In the case that the space is limited or there are targets below the tree a sectional fell would be performed.

Your trees are your responsibility. It is important that you show you have taken due care to ensure the safety of your trees.

Where a tree has been felled the value of the timber will be taken into account when pricing the job.

Tree Climbing

All our climbing equipment has certificates of conformity and is LOLER checked.

All our climbers are NPTC qualified and strictly adhere to industry guidelines.

In case of emergency we ensure there are always two climbers on every job.

We also have designated rigging equipment in case we need to lower limbs slowly or set up a tensioned line to carry cuttings away from the immediate area.