Our commitment to the environment is part of our DNA
Tree care is our business and keeping every tree in our environment in good health and long life benefits us all. We also care deeply about the habitats for wildlife that our trees provide. So not only do we arboricultural specialists in our team, but we also have staff trained in the detection of bats and other protected species’ habitats. Additionally, this has given us excellent experience working hand in hand with ecologists, especially on sensitive sites.
Before any tree work starts, sites are checked for the presence of Tree Preservation orders and other legislative constraints. If there are constraints on a site we’re happy to make the relevant planning application on your behalf.
Our environmental and sustainability practices
We are proud to be accredited to ISO14001:2015 and National Highways Sector Scheme 18 (customised management system for landscaping and the environment (including ecology)) for our commitment to the sustainability of our practices. We are continually exploring ways in which we can reduce our impact on the environment.
The fuel we use
All our chainsaws run on Aspen green fuels which are specially designed for small-capacity 2-stroke and 4-stroke engines. The fuels are made from the cleanest form of petrol available, alkylate petroleum.
Aspen fuels are free of lead, benzene, sulphur and aromatics, all of which can cause leukaemia, nervous disorders, irritation to breathing and other health problems. This benefits the health of our employees and anyone else on site who’ll be exposed to less toxic fumes. And it benefits the environment. Emissions are significantly cut and sulphur emissions minimised which otherwise pollute waterways with acidification. Other emissions are also reduced, decreasing ground-level ozone (smog) and improving air quality. This is significant in terms of preserving the environment and ecosystem for generations to come.
We are also an authorised dealer of Aspen fuels, so we can supply the local community who can also benefit from using cleaner fuels. We can also offer discounts for bulk purchases. take a look at our Shop for how to buy Aspen fuels.
The herbicides we use
We use glyphosate herbicides called Ecoplug Max. These are sealed units rather than spray on liquid. This means there is no risk of damage to surrounding trees, vegetation and waterways.
Ecoplug Max also meets the requirements of the Sustainable Use Directive to minimise herbicide use and the Water Framework Directive to prevent contamination of waterways with Pesticides.
They are far safer to use where there are children and animals about, and especially in AONB (areas of outstanding natural beauty).
Our environmental projects with schools and colleges
We regularly partner with local schools and colleges to provide work experience and also to help in their own environmental projects. We encourage any such projects in our community, especially with local charities.
Our environmental policies align with our values
We minimise fuel usage and we minimise freshwater usage
We use our own harvested rainwater wherever possible when watering newly planted trees. Not only is this better for the tree, but it also means we don’t exacerbate the depletion of local water reserves.
We have a ‘zero to landfill’ policy
No tree cuttings or arboricultural waste go to landfill. All brushwood is chipped, which can either be left on-site at your request, used for biomass in the electricity-generating industry or stored for use as mulch for planting. If you would like, we can stack some debris at your site for habitat piles.
We remove all waste from the site
It’s our policy to remove all waste from the site and return it to our base for recycling unless instructed otherwise. We have invested heavily to improve our waste management in line with our ISO14001:2004 certification.
We make a better use of the waste
We have our own sawmill and wood workshop and have built storage for timber, logs and chip in order to make better use of the ‘waste’ we produce.
Wood & Plants Waste
We hold Environment Agency exemptions (T4, T6 and D7) for preparatory treatments, treatment of wood waste and waste plant matter and burning waste in the open. Our current waste management plan adheres strictly to the Waste England and Wales Regulations 2011 and as our EA Registration as an Upper Tier Carrier Dealer. It is as follows:
When working, no debris will obstruct pathways, access or egress and none will be allowed to enter waterways.
Works will be undertaken in accordance with BS3998:2010 Recommendations for Tree Works, ensuring no excessive or unnecessary waste is produced (WEW priority1 – prevention).
Sites will be left clear of debris and waste and returned to our base for processing apart from in the following exceptional circumstances:
- Where waste must be processed on site to prevent the spread of disease
- Where waste must be transported to licensed burning sites to prevent the spread of disease
- If the customer requests that debris is left on site for use e.g. woodchip for use in domestic gardens or as habitat piles.
Large timber waste will be removed using a timber crane so it can be transported whole to our base to be prepared for re-use (WEW priority2).
It is then milled and turned into posts and timber for local use (WEW priority3 – recycling).
Only if the above WEW priorities are not possible will the debris be turned into chip to be used as biomass and firewood (WEW priority 4 – other recovery e.g. energy recovery).
If any other waste is retrieved from site e.g. metal fencing, gates etc., they are sorted at our premises and taken to a licensed metal recycling facility for recycling. No arboricultural waste is disposed of in landfill (WEW priority5).
General Waste
General waste accumulated during the day from our teams, such as food and drink waste, is returned and deposited in recycling banks at our base, separated into dry mixed recycling and collected on a fortnightly basis by a licensed waste carrier to be recycled.
All food waste is put into a food digester at our base where the digestate fertilises the ground – again reducing landfill and enhancing our working environment. We are acutely aware of current biosecurity risks and carry stocks of disinfectant to ensure no inadvertent spread of disease whilst transporting.
Loads are covered and vehicles thoroughly cleansed before using again to reduce any risk of contamination.
Where trees and shrubs that a client has requested to be removed can be salvaged, with the client’s permission (and time and cost permitting) we will remove carefully and donate to community projects so they are not destroyed unnecessarily.
