In this picture, we had been asked to fell a large Cupressus tree which had become loose in the ground at the root plate.
This isn’t unusual in conifer species. They are not particularly deep-rooted, and sadly they are often poorly planted, with no proper “planting pit” dug out to help them secure their roots deeply enough. We have certainly attended plenty of wind-blown trees like this over the years.
When a tree becomes very loose at the roots like this, the safest option to work on it is to bring in a mobile elevated working platform (a MEWP, sometimes also called a cherry picker). Though MEWPs cannot always be used (for reasons of access, or extreme ground conditions for example), the tree is unsafe and even the weight of the climber moving around the crown could topple it over, risking damage to property, power and communications cables, and of course, serious injury to the climber himself.
Though they are used increasingly, some customers understandably question the value of using a MEWP, and are often tempted to go with an apparently cheaper option. It’s a difficult choice when budgets are limited and another “tree surgeon” is offering you what looks like a great value deal.
If you’re comparing quotes, it might be interesting to ask a few simple basic questions before accepting any such offer:
- Did you consider using a platform on this job? What made you decide not to?
- What is the additional cost of using a platform?
- Are you trained to use one (IPAF qualified)?
- If something were to go wrong, what kind and level of insurance do you hold?
For advice and information about your trees, or for a written detailed quote for tree work, call Andrew on 01256 817369, 07771 883061 or email him at Andrew@Primarytreesurgeons.co.uk