Professional Arboriculture and Horticultural Specialists
Providing a comprehensive tree maintenance and garden service
About us
We are committed to providing a high quality service, with a passion about trees, plants and their importance to the environment. Based in Seaham we cover County Durham, Hartlepool, Wearside and South Tyneside area. We are fully insured and all of our staff are qualified and experienced in the industry.
Trees have many benefits and Urban green space improves the environment and encourages healthy lifestyles, improving public health. At Henry’s Horticulture and ARB we encourage our customers to replant a young tree if they are having a tree removed. We work in both the domestic and commercial sectors and tailor our service on an individual basis.
Tree Maintenance Services
Tress can be susceptible to disease and fungal infection making them potentially dangerous or they simply may have been planted in the wrong location. Occasionally there is no option other than to remove the tree. When the tree is in close proximity to buildings, limbs overhanging structures or close to potential hazards it may be necessary to use rigging equipment to dismantle the tree lowering sections in a controlled and safe manner.
In some circumstances where the tree is too hazardous for the tree surgeon to climb manually, a Mobile Elevated Work Platform (MEWP's) is necessary in order to carry out the work, our team are qualified to use this type of machinery. Some people live in a Conservation areas and their trees may be subject of a Tree Preservation Order (TPO), we will take care of the relevant planning application to the local council as part of our service.
The habitat of all nesting birds and bat roosts are protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981 (amended 1984), strengthened by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act, 2000. With regards to birds this means that the felling or pruning of trees must be carefully carried out to avoid any risk of disturbing nesting birds particularly between the months of March to August inclusive.Crown reduction and lifts
The reduction in height and/or spread of the crown of a tree. This type of work is usually done to minimise risk of failure of individual branches or the whole tree, reduce shading and loss of light or to make the tree better suited to its current location.
Crown lifting is the removal of the lowest branches from the tree canopy. This type of work should not normally include the removal of large branches growing directly from the trunk (unless damaged or diseased) and on mature trees restricted to secondary branches or shortening of primary branches. This is an effective method of increasing light transmission close to the tree and to enable better access under the tree.
Crown thinning is a selective pruning technique primarily used on hardwood trees to reduce the density at the edge. Dead, diseased, crossing and weakly attached branches are removed, the tree is then pruned to reduce the crown density whilst retaining a natural shape.
Why Crown Thin a tree?
The intent is to improve a tree's structure and form, increasing light penetration and air movement, reduce wind resistance and weight without altering the overall shape and size of the tree. The estimated Material to be removed from the crown at any one time is between 10% and 25% depending on the circumstances.
Stems with narrow, V-shaped angles of attachment often form included bark and should be selected for removal whereas branches with strong U-shaped angles of attachment should be left. The included bark forms a bark wedge when two stems grow at sharp angles to one another. These ingrown wedges prevent strong attachment of stems often causing a crack at the point below where the branches meet. Removing one or more of the stems will allow the other stem(s) to take over.
A professional arborist will avoid producing "lion’s tails", tufts of foliage at the ends of branches caused by removing an excess number of inner branches from the tree. Lion’s tails can result in epicormic growth, in certain circumstances this growth may increase the risk of branches falling on that tree and weak branch structure.
The removal of dead, dying or diseased branches, stumps, snags, broken branches, rubbing branches, unwanted epicormic shoots and climbing plants etc. This type of pruning is used where a tree is being maintained as a specimen within the context of a formal park or garden. Here the removal of dead, dying, diseased, detached or broken branches is specified to improve crown appearance and the overall tree aesthetics. The removal of such branches may also be considered desirable where they represent a risk to persons or property. However, the formation of dead wood within the crown of a tree is part of the natural system of tree life and should not be considered to be a negative thing that has to be removed to maintain healthy tree growth, it is also important to remember that dead wood is an essential habitat for a large number of organisms in the ecosystem in which the tree lives.
So it is important to consider that any removal of dead wood from the crown could potentially be detrimental to the continued viability of the ecosystem in which the tree lives. Specification: This is achieved by systematically climbing throughout the crown of the tree. Cuts into live wood must be avoided when removing dead branches and stubs. No damage must occur to the branch collar, or callus tissue when carrying the live wood.
Pruning
During removal of tree limbs in order to avoid injuring the parent stem, a method called target pruning is carried out, this technique is used to promote callus growth to close the wound thus maintaining the trees natural defence barrier against disease.
The principles reasons for pruning:
Maintain health of the tree, bush or plant
Remove dead, diseased or dying wood
Rejuvenate older, neglected shrubs
Develop or maintain a desired size or appearance
Formative Pruning
Is to improve the shape and form of young trees. This type of pruning is usually completed when the tree is still relatively young. The main objective of this type of pruning is to encourage the formation of good stem and branch structure, by improving the orientation and spacing of branches and removing any potential weak structures that may fail later in life. Well planned, formative pruning during the establishment of a young tree can reduce the need for pruning later on. Formative or structural pruning can be completed on semi-mature trees, but should be avoided on mature specimens.
Rubbing, diseased, dead, congested or weak branches must be removed along with epicormic and basal growth on the main stem. Low branches pointed in undesirable directions must also be removed. All work should be carried out should take into account the species concerned.
Topping
Is the hard pruning, of a mature of semi mature tree, involving the removal of nearly all of the trees branches and foliage. This is nearly always considered unacceptable practice and should not be confused with pollarding. This type of pruning destroys the trees shape and introduces decay and encourages the development of a weak branch structure and can kill some species, such as beech. This type of work will only rarely be acceptable for example where a tree has become hazardous and cannot be made safe by normal pruning practice but the retention of the stem or tree in a much reduced for is desirable for biodiversity. Where a tree has previously been topped it may be acceptable to prune back to the previous pruning points as with pollarding.
Pollarding
This is the technique of cutting back the stems or minor branches of the tree to produce a framework of stems above a single trunk. As a result pollarded trees can be used as taller structural features in a garden. This technique is useful for restricting the height of certain trees that will tolerate the hard pruning necessary to create the pollard effect. Pollarding is a pruning technique used for many reasons,
including:
1. Preventing trees and shrubs outgrowing their allotted space.
2. Pollarding can reduce the shade cast by a tree.
3. May be necessary on street trees to prevent electric wires and streetlights being obstructed.
4. Trees that respond well to pollarding include some species of maple (Acer), alder (Alnus), lime (Tilia), elm (Ulmus), gum (eucalyptus), elder (sambucus), ash (Fraxinus) and willow (Salix). The best time for pollarding is late winter or early spring. Once pollarded it is important to continue the cycle of pruning back the new growth to the initial cut annually. This will eventually lead to a feature of a swollen pollard head forming where the new grow each year.This is the technique of cutting back the stems or minor branches of the tree to produce a framework of stems above a single trunk. As a result pollarded trees can be used as taller structural features in a garden.
Emergency tree work
We are able to deal efficiently and safely with dangerous storm-damaged and wind blown trees:
Fallen trees clearance
Dangerous trees made safe
Hanging branches removed
Site clearance
From clearing over-grown gardens required for landscaping projects to clearing commercial sites ready for building work. The site can be quickly and efficiently cleared and all green waste removed.
Stump grinding
When removing a tree or large shrub to ground level, a small proportion of the trunk or stem remains in the ground. This is known as the "Stump". A stump can remain in the ground without causing any harm, however can take a significant amount of time to naturally break down and if you wish to replant or lay more lawn, then it is necessary to remove the stump. We can grind the stumps out below ground level.
If the stump is to remain then we also use Ecoplugs to treat the woody stumps, these will kill the stump and eliminate its re-growth. The Ecoplugs pose no risk to surrounding trees, vegetation and nature. The active substance contained in the plugs are broken down completely by nature itself.
Hedge cutting
Supporting a greener environment
Trees and plants can make a rapid and significant change to any landscape, creating an urban space that is more attractive for businesses and people.
Trees and the environment are of great importance to us. To support this we provide a planting service that will enhance the look, your enjoyment and biodiversity of your garden. All hedge plants and young trees we source are of the highest quality. The selection of tree and plants will be made based on the soil it is to be planted in, its position and size at maturity thus reducing the need for any major maintenance work in the future.
Experts in hedge cutting, trimming and shaping
Hedges form a natural boundary around many peoples gardens providing a natural environment for birds and pollinating insects and a neatly trimmed hedge can greatly enhance the look of your garden, however a well presented hedge requires regular trimming to maintain its health, encourage dense foliage and an aesthetic shape.
Whether you are requiring a regular service or a one off reduction in size or height our team deliver a highly professional and skilled service that will maximise the potential of your hedges.
