Can i fell this tree legally??

[jimbomags]

hi there my first post so not sure if this will make sense. I'm self employed as property/grounds maintenance and been asked by nursing home to cut down a 30ft ash. I have no cs certs but have used chainsaws for 20 years. am i right in thinking its illegal for me to fell the tree without certs. My insurance excludes tree work but i can demolish a 3 storey building. ??????

If i wasnt getting paid for the work but just cutting for firewood is that acceptable..? any opinions please.... should i take it down and take the dollar or pass the job on?

thanks in advance. Jim

[treequip]

Its not illegal because there is no law against it

 

The HSE says you should be suitably qualified so you need to be.

 

Get a freelancer to do what you cant and pass the cost on to the client

[Adam Bourne]

Is the tree covered by a preservation order? or is it in the conservation area? Are there any planning conditions on the tree?

 

I would look into all these first before you start anything!

 

If you feel more than capable of carrying out this job then go right ahead! If the tree is in a tight spot and needs climbing or can be felled but is risky then in my opinion I work get a local professional to do it! Who is insured who is qualified

 

Welcome to the forum

 

Adam

[18 stoner]

It is not a legal requirement to have qualifications, or even insurance for that matter.

 

It may be a comfort to the client though if you had PL insurance. Getting PL insurance to fell anything above 6meters high without quals maybe an issue though:blushing:

[Rich2484]

I'm a bit fussed over this one...

 

Do you mean fell as in cut at the bottom and fell it over or climb and dismantle it???

 

If its climb and dismantle it then I would go back to a case before where a gardener was done for dismantling a tree from a ladder and got a huge fine for it.

 

If its straight cut and fell then no law exists, not until it all goes wrong and some damage is done.

[treequip]

I'm a bit fussed over this one...

 

Do you mean fell as in cut at the bottom and fell it over or climb and dismantle it???

 

If its climb and dismantle it then I would go back to a case before where a gardener was done for dismantling a tree from a ladder and got a huge fine for it.

 

If its straight cut and fell then no law exists, not until it all goes wrong and some damage is done.

 

Errrr, No not quite

 

The same law exists in the case that you cited, its not illegal to fell a tree but the chap in the casese you cited was prossecuted for no PPE and no tickets for him and his man.

 

Felling from the ground requires tickets therefore a prossecution could be made.

[agg221]

If you weren't being paid for it, but were simply taking the tree down for your own benefit as logs, you could do it under your household contents insurance. This covers pretty much anything you may wish to do with a chainsaw unpaid (and is how I am covered for my own felling/milling for my own use).

 

Alec

[Rich2484]

So there is a law against taking a tree down then :confused1:

 

Already said no tickets.

[jimbomags]

I'm a bit fussed over this one...

 

Do you mean fell as in cut at the bottom and fell it over or climb and dismantle it???

 

If its climb and dismantle it then I would go back to a case before where a gardener was done for dismantling a tree from a ladder and got a huge fine for it.

 

If its straight cut and fell then no law exists, not until it all goes wrong and some damage is done.

 

all top growth was removed a few years ago ive been told so its just a straight fell. I've got gear from rec climbing..... seen to many accidents on you tube to use ladders !!!

[jimbomags]

If you weren't being paid for it, but were simply taking the tree down for your own benefit as logs, you could do it under your household contents insurance. This covers pretty much anything you may wish to do with a chainsaw unpaid (and is how I am covered for my own felling/milling for my own use).

 

Alec

my household insurance would cover me on somebody else's property ??