Tree Craft's policy is to take a holistic approach to tree care. This means that we try to think beyond the work we do as tree surgeons and consider each and every individual tree in respect of; the future management requirements of the tree; the impact on surrounding trees; the effect on local wildlife; the most efficient way to carry out the work. We also take care to ensure that we are using fuels and products which are as friendly to the environment as possible. All of the arising debris from our tree surgeon operations in Sevenoaks and all around South East London are recycled.
Recycling
During our work as tree surgeons in Sevenoaks we take every step not waste materials.We will chip the branches and smaller wood and remove the larger timber as logs. For larger jobs, we may also employ the use of a crane in order to more efficiently remove the timber from site. All of our woodchip is recycled; either by domestic customers, who use it as a garden mulch; or for biomass, where it is used to create heat and power. Logs are converted in to split firewood logs, or chipped back at our yard for recycling.
Often customers may choose to keep the woodchip from work carried out on their land and to use their own logs for firewood, or to create 'habitat piles' for invertebrates. This has the added advantage of minimising haulage costs and fuel consumption.
Wildlife
Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act: 1981 and the Countryside and Rights of Way Act: 2000, animals such as birds, bats and badgers and their habitat are protected by law. It is now an offence to damage or disturb any such animal, or its habitat. We carry out much of our work on ecologically sensitive sites and have extensive experience in habitat assessment. It may be that we advise to avoid particular kinds of work at certain times of year in order to avoid conflict with protected species.
Machinery
Tree surgery work relies heavily on the use of machinery and most of this burns fossil fuels. We aim to minimise the impact of machinery use by ensuring that; handsaws are used in preference to chainsaw wherever possible; machinery is only running when it is being used; we use high quality oils and lubricants; we use biodegradable chain oil when working on sensitive sites; noisy activities, such as woodchipping, are restricted to 'short-bursts'.
Tree Planting
We encourage our customers to plant trees and we will offer advice on suitable specimens for the chosen site, helping to keep Sevenoaks and South East London a greener place. The young trees of today will be the mature trees which make an important contribution in the coming years and help keep our areas vibrant. We need to plant trees wherever we can... Trees are good!
Planning of Work
We will plan to carry out work in such a way as to minimise our annual driving miles. Toward this aim, we will often incentivise clients to group together with neighbours and have work carried out at the same time in order to minimise duplication of journeys.
Cycle To Work Scheme
Tree Craft belongs to the Cycle to Work Scheme, which helps employees to purchase bicycles in order for them to cycle to work. We actively encourage our employees to take advantage of the scheme. Many of our local site visits in and around Sevenoaks in Kent are initially carried out by bike.
Paperless Quotations
We will keep paper consumption to a minimum by sending quotations and invoices via email, where this is acceptable to the client.
