JP Handy Forestry Service Structure Overview

ARBORICULTURE > Tree Surgery

Once a decision has been made about a tree we able to carry out the work to the highest standard; BS3998 "Treework" or higher.

Felling and Dismantling

Taking down trees often involves working in confined space without damaging the surroundings:


Dismantling large Ash over small garden		Felling trees near Hungerford		Dismantling dangerous Sycamore near A4, Newbury

Crown Raising

Removal of selected lower branches often improves light levels around the tree, which is better than reducing the height. It is usually better for the tree aswell.


Crown Raising - Before		Crown Raising - After

		Crown Reduction Cutting back branches to make the whole canopy of the tree smaller. We regard this as a last resort procedure because it can be detrimental to the long term condition of the tree. Only some species respond to this and done badly can mutilate a tree. Not to be confused with 'topping'.
Lime trees, Berkshire. Biggest tree had basal decay.

Crown Thinning

Removes weak and superfluous branches and goes on to remove a small proportion of other smaller branches in the outer parts of the canopy. This allows air to flow through the tree, similar to the difference between presenting a net to the wind or a sail. It leaves the tree less vulnerable to wind damage without spoiling the overall shape.

Topping

Not normally regarded as an orthodox procedure when applied to broadleaf trees but when referring to hedging conifers such as Leyland cypress is a common operation.

Tree Restoration Usually carried out on old trees or special trees with a structural weakness. This often involves the installation of a cable bracing system to support the tree in periods of undue stress, in the same way as a seat belt restrains a car passenger on impact.
		Installing bracing system into much loved but structurally weak beech, Brightwalton

Site Clearance

Chipping In most cases branches are chipped up, removed from site and used in horse menages, as mulch around young trees and shrubs or for bio energy. Can also be used as a valuable garden mulch to keep weeds down. We have two sizes of wood chipper, one will take 6" diameter material and the other 10".

	6” capacity chipper	10” capacity chipper

Firewood

We do not deal in firewood but will supply the raw material for the client to split themselves. This is far cheaper than buying split logs and is twice as efficient at warming; once when you split it and again when you burn it.

We have a petrol driven wood splitter for hire if you don't need warming the first time round.

Although conifer is not so good on open fires because it spits it can be readily burned on woodburning stoves once seasoned and is far cheaper than hardwood.

Stump Grinding

Felling a tree normally leaves an unwanted stump that gets in the way and can become a focus for Honey fungus.

Digging it up leaves a big hole in the ground and a very heavy lump of soil and wood to dispose of.

Grinding the stump reduces it to a pile of tiny pieces of wood and soil that can be shoveled away.

We have two stump grinders; one that is small enough to get into most back gardens.

Mobile Elevated Work Platform (MEWP) or Cherry Picker

A recent addition to our equipment is a Ranger R16, 50ft (16m) cherry picker (Mobile Elevated Work Platform or MEWP) that packs away for movement to become only 800mm wide (32in.). It can be tracked to most situations and makes the job safer and quicker.