How to Avoid Emergency Tree Work in the Winter

What is emergency tree work?

Any tree work that is reactive opposed to proactive (i.e. hasn’t been scheduled in) that requires urgent attention could be classified as emergency work. This typically includes:

• Windblow trees
• Stem failure – where the tree has snapped somewhere on the trunk
• Root failure – where to roots have failed and the tree has fallen / the root plate has dislodged
• Branches that have failed / snapped – these could either have snapped off completely or only partially

The above are not exclusively caused by Winter weather; a branch or stem can snap or fail for a variety of reasons including disease or damage. It’s also not uncommon for failure to happen in the Summer – warmer temperatures can cause a higher level of moisture content and therefore weight in limbs. In addition, the warmer temperature can cause an elevated level of ethylene which creates increased internal sap pressure and increased root pressures which can cause branch, root or stem failure. Despite these possibilities, emergency tree work is usually more frequent in Winter due to the harsher weather conditions. During Winter it is common to have high volumes of rain, cold temperatures and strong winds – not to forget of course an increased chance of storms and lightening. All of these factors cause extra stress to the trees which can result in damaging and weakening parts of the tree.

Why is emergency tree work more expensive?

There are a number of reasons why emergency tree work can be more expensive than ordinary tree work / maintenance that has been scheduled. These include but are not limited to:

• Danger – emergency tree work can be dangerous for the tree surgeons. If the failed tree / branch is already on the floor then it’s less so, however if the branch / stem is hanging / balancing on another it can be extremely dangerous. The tension and compression that may be present requires specialist training to understand and one wrong move could be very dangerous.
• Qualifications – in order to work on windblown trees or to undertake emergency work, any tree surgeon should have the appropriate additional qualifications. It’s not simply enough to be qualified to use a chainsaw or fell a tree – there are specific qualifications required which is very important bearing in mind the level of danger that can be involved.
• Complicated – if a stem / large branch has caught itself on something or access is limited, it can often be more complicated to remove. It may require specialist equipment such as a winch, rigging equipment or even a crane.
• Diary rescheduling – the majority of reputable tree surgery businesses will have work scheduled in anywhere from weeks – months in advance. Emergency tree work needs to be scheduled in as soon as possible which often requires substantial admin time to move around customers, reassess logistics etc

What can I do to prevent it?

Emergency tree work can often be costly and dangerous, particularly if in a residential garden. Our clients often ask what they could have done to prevent the emergency tree work. The key to that questions is focusing on prevention – making sure that the trees in your garden are healthy and maintained throughout the other seasons will reduce your chances of needing any emergency tree work. There are a number of preventative measures you can take to minimise the chances of needing any emergency tree work, these include but are not limited to:

• Inspecting your trees – it would be prudent to ensure you have your trees inspected every few years. This will ensure anything of concern can be addressed prior to Winter.
• Deadwood – summer growth and foliage can add a lot of weight to tree branches and the overall tree. This can cause any dead or weak branches to snap out in harsher winter weather and potentially damage the tree, so it is always best to prepare and remove any dead or unstable branches in advance of the harsher weather.
• Bracing / Cabling – if your tree has any weak unions it may be worth considering bracing the tree to ensure its stability during higher winds and rain.

Our team is highly trained, fully qualified and able to help with all aspects of tree care and tree maintenance throughout Surrey, Berkshire, West Sussex and surrounding areas.

If you have any questions regarding your trees, possible preventative measures or require urgent attention to a dangerous tree, please do not hesitate to contact us.