Our Specifications for Pruning Trees.

General.

A certified arborist shall be on site at all times during work activities.
All debris shall be removed from the site on the completion of the job.


Safety.

All work shall be performed by workers trained in accordance with current AFAG guidelines.
Safety regulations as required by the HSE.
Climbing and lowering equipment shall conform to LOLER regulations.
Machinery to comply with Puwer Regulations.

Additional Requirements.

All debris and equipment shall be removed from the site by the end of each work day unless otherwise stated.
All areas shall be raked clean with a leaf rake.
ASG TREE SERVICES shall furnish a certificate of insurance to include public liability, and Employers Liability before commencing work.


Crown Cleaning Leading to Crown Thinning.
Objectives:

1) Removing dead branches over targets only.
2) Reducing the weight of main scaffold branches or stems with included bark.
3) Thinning the canopy.

General procedures

Live branches greater than 3 inches diameter should not be removed unless no alternative is available.
Dead branches greater than 1.5 inch diameter measured at the base of the branch shall be removed over targets.
Remove no more than 30 percent of live foliage from any tree unless safety is an issue.
Crossing and rubbing branches to be removed or reduced.

Specific procedures.

1) Remove branches by cutting back to the collar. Do not damage the branch collar or branch bark ridge at the base of branches.

2) Weight on main scaffold limbs with included bark shall be reduced by approximately one-third by removing some live secondary branches toward the ends of the Limbs and/or by removing the end of the branch using a reduction cut.

3) Identify those trees that have included bark in the crotches between co-dominant stems and in the crotches of large branches. Make a note of these on the site map.
These trees will be evaluated by an ISA Certified arborist for possible cabling, pruning or other treatments. Cabling will be performed under separate contract.
Identify limbs and trunks with vertical cracks or other potentially hazardous conditions.
Make a note of these conditions on the site map.

3) If less than 20 percent of the foliage was removed on a tree following procedure 2, thin the canopy to allow more light to reach the ground under the tree and to help reduce damage from sail effect.
The branches removed shall be taken primarily from the outer edge of the canopy, not from the interior.

4) Crowns of trees that were lopped or topped will be restored to improve structure and form. Remove or shorten all sprouts. Try to maintain one, which will become the dominant stem at that point.
We may remove up to 40 percent of the foliage when performing this work.


Crown Reduction.
Objectives:

Reduce the size of the crown by removing exterior branches.

General procedures

Try to reduce back to growth points no smaller than 1/3 the size of the main branch.
Leave as many interior branches as possible.
Dead branches greater than 1.5 inch diameter measured at the base of the branch shall be removed over targets only.
Make an attempt at leaving the tree looking like its natural tree form.


Reduction maintenance


Re-growth will need to be maintained on a pruning cycle of three years minimum.

Pruning young trees.
Objectives:
The primary purpose of pruning young trees is to:

1) Improve trunk and branch structure.
2) Remove or shorten low limbs for under-clearance.
3) Thin the canopy to allow better air flow, and to maintain health.

General procedures:

Although we are concerned with aesthetics, the appearance of the trees will be secondary to health and structural concerns. The single greatest structural concern is the large number of Co-dominant trunks or main leaders.

The specified pruning may require the removal of up to thirty percent of the foliage in many instances. No more than forty percent of the foliage from an Individual tree should be removed.

Removal of dead limbs or stubs one inch in diameter or larger will be required.

Specific procedures.

1) Co-dominant leaders and stems: Due to the recognized potential hazards associated with co-dominant leaders, the subordination (shortening using a reduction cut) or removal of one Side of a co-dominant leader is the primary objective.
Branches, trunks, or leaders not considered the main leader, should be subordinated or removed. The main leader shall not be subordinated or removed.
Co-dominant leaders are considered to be two or more branches, trunks, or leaders of approximately the same size, originating in close proximity to one another. If there is no stem considerably Larger than others, subordinate all but one stem.
Where there is included bark as part of the condition, preference should be given to the removal of one side, but only if such removal Will not destroy the aesthetic value of the canopy or remove more than forty percent of the foliage.

2) Canopy raising: Branches over paved areas should be shortened (with a reduction cut back to a living side branch at least one-third the diameter of the removed portion) or removed to allow approximately 3m of clearance for pedestrians as practical.
Preference shall be given to shortening instead of removing. Shortening of branches is the preferred method for attaining adequate clearance, especially if the branch diameter is more than half the trunk diameter.
When pruning is completed, approximately one-half of the foliage should originate from branches on the lower two-thirds of each tree.

3) Canopy cleaning: Do not strip out the interior foliage leaving only live branches at the ends of branches.

Canopy cleaning is to include the following: Remove dead or broken limbs one inch in diameter or larger; if two limbs are crossing or touch each other, shorten or remove one of them so they no longer touch.
Clearance from buildings, lights, or other structures should be a minimum of .5m or as practical. Use directional pruning where possible so future growth is directed away from buildings and lights.
Directional pruning encourages growth in a certain direction by shortening or removing branches growing in another direction.

Pruning techniques :

Pruning cuts shall be in accordance with BS3998 (latest edition) pruning standards.

Tools and equipment.

Climbing spurs shall not be used when climbing trees, except to climb a tree to be removed or to perform an aerial rescue.
Equipment and work practices that damage bark or cambium should be avoided by use of a cambium saver.
Rope injury from lowering heavy limbs should be avoided.

ASG Tree Services undertake tree work from small woodlands down to patio gardens. Each job receives our expert advice and free quotation with prices that are hard to beat. We are available anytime. We have listed our more popular services but please call us with any tree problem you may have and we will give it our fullest attention.

For people who really care about their work contact ASG Tree Services.

Office: 0800 404 6978