Crown lifting is a crucial technique in tree care that requires expertise and precision. Professional tree surgeons play a vital role in maintaining tree health, aesthetics, and safety through this process. For clients seeking crown lifting services, understanding the process and safety considerations is essential to making informed decisions about their tree care needs.
As a skilled tree surgeon, I specialise in various aspects of tree care, including crown lifting. Crown lifting is a vital technique to maintain tree health, aesthetics, and safety. In this section, I’ll provide insights into when crown lifting is necessary, the crown lifting process, safety considerations, required qualifications, and useful information for clients considering crown lifting services.
When is Crown Lifting Necessary?
Crown lifting becomes necessary for several reasons:
1. Clearance: When tree branches obstruct pathways, roads, or structures, crown lifting can create necessary clearance without removing the entire tree.
2. Aesthetics: Crown lifting can enhance the visual appeal of a tree by creating a more balanced and open canopy.
3. Sunlight: By raising the lower branches, crown lifting allows more sunlight to reach the ground, benefiting both the tree and the understory vegetation.
4. Safety: Removing low-hanging branches reduces the risk of accidents, especially in high-traffic areas or where pedestrians are present.
The Crown Lifting Process
Before performing crown lifting, a thorough assessment of the tree’s health, structure, and the desired outcome is conducted. This helps determine the appropriate height to which the crown should be lifted.
A detailed plan is created, considering factors such as the number and size of branches to be removed, the desired canopy height, and the potential impact on the tree’s overall health.
Depending on the tree’s species, growth pattern, and desired results, different pruning techniques are employed. These may include removing entire branches or selectively cutting back specific branches to lateral growth points.
Pruning cuts are strategically made to ensure clean and proper healing. Cuts are made just outside the branch collar (the swollen area where a branch connects to the trunk), promoting quicker wound closure.
As professional tree surgeons, we are cautious not to remove too many branches or prune excessively, as this could stress the tree and compromise its structural integrity.
The removed branches and foliage are properly disposed of using our chipper and taken away from site. Ideal Tree Services holds the appropriate waste carrier’s licence.
Safety Considerations:
Safety is paramount during crown lifting. Ideal Tree Services are a professionally certified tree surgery company. We have undergone training in proper pruning techniques and safety protocols and all qualifications can be available on request.
We only use well-maintained and appropriate equipment, including pruning saws and loppers, which are safety checked prior to each use.
Appropriate signage, traffic Management, or cordons will be put in place to ensure that the risk to people entering the work site is reduced and prevent unauthorized access and ensure the safety of both workers and bystanders.
Proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including helmets, eye protection, gloves, and chainsaw-resistant clothing, are worn to minimize risks.
Before starting work, the stability of the tree and surrounding ground is assessed to prevent accidents caused by unstable terrain.
Professional tree surgeons should possess the required certifications. Arborists often hold certifications from reputable organizations such as the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA).
At Ideal Tree Services we have many years of experience in safely and effectively performing crown lifting.
Useful Information for Clients:
Ideal Tree Services Provide a full consultation to assess your tree requirements. We will schedule a site assessment to assess the tree’s condition and discuss the best approach.
We will assess potential impacts on the tree’s health and longevity after the crown lifting and discuss post-lifting care tips to ensure the tree’s recovery and continued health.
We provide detailed job descriptions/ quotes outlining the scope of work, specific reduction techniques, and safety measures.
We fully consider local regulations. Clients should inquire about permits or permissions required for tree felling in their area. We can support/ signpost for clients to find this out.
Please feel free to ask for references or examples of our previous work we have undertaken for our many happy domestic and commercial clients.
Ideal Tree Services are reputable tree surgeons- check out our fantastic reviews for your assurance