Tree Felling & Removal
Tree Felling and Removal
Trees may need to be removed for many reasons. They can become unsafe as they get older or could end up with a disease that could affect other plants in your garden. It may be that they are blocking out the natural light or are no longer aesthetically pleasing. Here at Bronzeleaf Tree Surgery, our professional, fully qualified and insured team are on hand to offer their advice and carry out our services.
Experienced & knowledgeable team
Tree felling within the urban environment can be a dangerous and intricate operation. As such, it should never be undertaken without the considerable experience and knowledge offered by a fully trained tree surgeon.
Trees are taken down as near as possible to ground level or alternatively, can be left as a high stump for the benefit of wildlife if requested. We can also safely remove dead wood from trees to prevent the hazard of it falling on to buildings, vehicles or the public etc.


Which method of tree felling is best?
There are a few different ways to remove a tree depending on its size and location. Straight tree felling is where a cut is made at the base and the tree falls in its entirety. This is safely controlled by our team using techniques to control the direction and landing position of the tree. This is only used on smaller trees, and only when there is enough space to carry out this method without risk. If the space allows, straight tree felling is more efficient and safer than sectional tree felling.
Sectional felling is used on bigger trees and in more built-up areas. Our professional tree surgeons climb to the top of the tree and take off smaller sections one by one. This section used more commonly as it is suitable for use in areas where buildings or other property could be at risk of damage. There are risks involved when climbing and using heavy equipment in trees, particularly if they are diseased or not structurally sound. Due to these factors, our team of trained professionals must carry out this method of tree removal.
No matter what method we use to remove your tree, we will make sure that your garden is left clean and tidy. We take away all the debris with us so that you don’t have to worry about a thing. Alternatively, we can leave you with the chippings or cuttings if you would like to make use of them for other garden projects- we can discuss this with you ahead of time.
Why would you need a tree removed?
No matter how well you take care of your trees, there will come a day when they require removing. Sometimes it is obvious when this time has come, such as if the tree is dead or showing signs of decay. It may have been damaged in extreme weather and become dangerous, particularly if it has leaned in the direction of your house, driveway, or other such areas. You would also want to have it removed if it is blocking a view or creating too much shade, or if it is growing too close to structures on your property. Some trees may drop a lot of leaves or needles that could ruin the look of your garden and create a lot of work to clear them up. Furthermore, if you are doing renovations, it may be that your tree is in an inconvenient place for you to build.
There are other reasons you may need your tree removed that are less obvious. Sometimes trees can get diseases that cause structural decay, making the tree risky to keep around. Diseases can also eventually cause the death of the tree and potentially spread to other surrounding trees. Other problems include if there are cracks in the trunk, if the tree is too large for its location or if there is significant overcrowding among trees on your property. Our tree surgeons are trained to spot all these problems. If you’re in doubt then you can contact us for our expert advice.


Is it safe to remove a tree myself?
It may be tempting to ‘DIY’ a tree removal, but this is a dangerous idea. If you hire equipment, there is no guarantee that it is in good working order. You would also be unlikely to have the correct protective gear, putting yourself in danger from any debris and chainsaws. Trees can react in surprising ways when cut- they can ‘kick out or barber chair’ in an unexpected direction, possibly causing you or any bystanders serious injury. The powerful equipment can also cause harm if used by someone without knowledge of how it works. Our team are trained to identify specific problems in trees and can therefore use the safest and most effective way to remove them. We can also bring all the correct equipment to your location knowing that it is in safe working order, and we are fully insured in the unlikely case of accidental damage to your property.
Diseases, fungi and pests to look out for
Diseases, fungi and tree pests are massively harmful to the health of your trees. If not taken care of, these things can spread quickly across the rest of your garden and other nearby wildlife. Fungal infections can be difficult to get rid of as they are usually dormant in the winter and active in the summer. When active they can release fungal spores that get carried by the wind, infecting the trees in their path. This can cause a lot of damage across local areas.
Therefore, it is very important to know what to look for when it comes to the health of your trees. Fortunately, our qualified and friendly team here at Bronzeleaf Tree Surgery are fully trained to spot and confirm any problems with your trees. We can make sure that problems are identified before they cause any further damage and advise on the best course of action for your trees.


Diseases and fungi
Ash dieback has become a huge problem for ash trees all over the UK. It is a disease caused by a fungus, causing leaf loss and crown dieback. In the summer it is easily recognisable by dark patches on its leaves, and in the autumn the leaves will be even darker and wilted. If left untreated it can lead to the death of the tree and spread to others. The fungus affects the root system of the tree and disrupts its ability to carry water, killing the tree over time.
Dutch elm disease is one to keep an eye out for if you have elm trees in your garden. This fungal disease also releases toxins to block the root system from carrying water which kills the tree over time. It was particularly bad in the UK in the 1960s and 1970s- at this time over 90% of elms were lost, roughly 25 million trees. Signs of the disease include leaves becoming a discoloured yellow and falling early. You may also see the twigs of the tree bending downwards, which is sometimes referred to as a ‘shepherd’s crook’. It is spread by elm bark beetles.
Horse chestnut bleeding canker is far easier to spot, as its main symptom are cracks in the bark oozing a reddish-brown liquid. The area of inner bark can be found if you cut away at the outer bark, and in infected areas, it would be discoloured to brown or purple. You can tell if the infection is still spreading by checking the edge of the discoloured area- if it’s sharp the infection is stable, but if it is spreading the edges appear diffused. On older cankers, the dead bark may fall away and expose the wood.
Pests
Pests are also very harmful to trees due to their eating and reproductive habits. Some of these bugs, beetles and borers just cause damage to the look of the tree, but some can put the health of the tree at risk.
Oak processionary moths are only a concern in and around London for the time being. The caterpillars that the moths develop from are the main concern due to their unquenchable appetite- they will strip a tree of its leaves and block its ability to photosynthesise. Having said that, these caterpillars don’t pose a huge threat to the health of the tree. The concern lies with the small, toxic hairs they have on their bodies which can cause animals and humans rashes and breathing problems.
The eight-toothed spruce bark beetle is only a problem in Kent now, but they do have the potential to spread to other areas. The main identifier of these pests is small holes in the bark, approximately 2 centimetres in size. You would also see sawdust under the branches. These holes are to create spaces in the tree to put their larvae, which cause damage to the tree as they grow. This disrupts the trees water transport system, meaning that the tree may lose its leaves and have crown dieback.

Cost effective services
This is not an exhaustive list of issues- there are many more diseases that you should be vigilant against. To prevent the spread of fungal infections and pests, you should check the health of your trees regularly. However, there is no need to worry because we are here to help.
Here at Bronzeleaf Tree Surgery, our team is fully qualified to deal with all tree felling and removals. If you want to learn more, visit our website here or give us a call on 07854 369097.
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