THE prospect of severe winter conditions means there is no better time to have trees checked over and any preventative maintenance carried out.
This will help avoid potential problems and risks to property and personal safety, said Freddy McCreedy, the Tree Inspector at Wellingborough Norse, a joint venture company between Wellingborough Council and Norse Commercial Services.
“While trees can withstand surprisingly strong winds, they are always a possible danger if storms are really bad.
THE prospect of severe winter conditions means there is no better time to have trees checked over and any preventative maintenance carried out.
This will help avoid potential problems and risks to property and personal safety, said Freddy McCreedy, the Tree Inspector at Wellingborough Norse, a joint venture company between Wellingborough Council and Norse Commercial Services.
“While trees can withstand surprisingly strong winds, they are always a possible danger if storms are really bad. Add to this, long periods of wet weather that can cause soil erosion leading to weakening of the tree’s root system, dead branches and trees with a lot of top growth and you have a potential safety issue.”
There are a number of actions to minimise the risks.
Freddy said: “Removing dead or dying tree limbs is one as these are really susceptible to high wind. We are regularly being asked by householders and businesses to assess trees and check for would-be problem branches, particularly where they overhang public access areas, buildings or where people are likely to walk. If we identify possibly dangerous branches we safely remove them, reducing the risk of damage, injury and, of course, the associated insurance claims.
“This alone may well make a tree a lot safer, but correct pruning and thinning can also help.”
Crown raising, when removing branches from the bottom of the crown of a tree in order to provide clearance for pedestrians, vehicles, buildings or lines of sight can also make trees safer in snowy conditions.
Freddy said: “Snow can build up on branches and start to pull them down so that they become an obstruction and increase the weight on the branch. This can cause it to break off. Just a bit of trimming out of the lower branches can again improve the tree’s health and ability to withstand the pressures of winter.
“It is always a good idea to keep an eye on your trees and don’t leave it until the bad weather arrives, or it might be a case of a lot more problems afterwards. Ensure any tree work is carried out by a competent contractor.”
Before any works are carried out to mature trees you must check to ensure that there is no Tree Preservation Order. This can be confirmed by calling Wellingborough Norse on 01933 234520.