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With the autumn storm season now upon us, it is never easy to predict how many storm damaged trees will need our urgent attention before Christmas. At Westbeams, storm damage tree removal across Hampshire, as well as making trees safe in the county, is one of the central pillars of our business. Mild tree damage, moderate tree damage, severe tree damage – we have seen it all… If your home has proximity to mature trees, you may be feeling nervous about how safe (or not) they might be. That is why we have pulled together these answers to frequently asked questions about storm damaged trees…. How likely am I to need storm damage tree removal services? The great storm of 1987, in October of that year, was then described as a once-in-200-year event. But with climate change making weather patterns … Continue reading →

With natural gas prices hitting historic highs recently, people are looking for cost-effective alternatives to heat their homes during the colder months. As a result, you may have wondered about the pros and cons of burning wood instead of using gas-fired central heating. With that in mind, here is a brief guide to what you should consider… Can I burn wood? You will need a fully serviced stove (and chimney) at home if you wish to burn wood efficiently. However, if you live in a smokeless zone, which are usually located in cities and large towns, you could be in for a hefty fine, making the wood-burning option untenable. Rural property owners in the UK have much greater freedom to emit smoke at present. But that could change depending on the will of local authorities and central government. Why do … Continue reading →

Here at Westbeams Tree Care we can carry out a range of different tree related tasks to a high standard, and one of the most commonly supplied services is crown reduction. The term crown reduction might be one that is unfamiliar to you, so join us now as we talk you through the basics… What is crown reduction? Crown reduction is a process through which the top canopy of a tree is removed. This often means the tree is radically reduced in size. It is a commonly used method of altering the size of a tree’s canopy and one that we have perfected over many years. To ensure the best results we only use the most advanced equipment for the job. And don’t worry… all of our staff are fully trained, as well as briefed thoroughly on health and safety … Continue reading →

New government rules on the sale of firewood, aimed at cutting emissions and improving air quality, came into force in May 2021. As a result, there is now a complete ban on the sale of wet wood for burning at home. But what is wet wood? How can you tell if wood is properly seasoned? What if your firewood gets wet in the rain? And what else do you need to you know? Oliver Rickman, Managing Director of Westbeams Tree Care, explains… What is wet wood? “Wet wood is simply wood that hasn’t been seasoned, which is the process of drying out the sap. When a tree is felled or a branch is removed, sap exists in abundance, and it will take at least a year dry out properly. If you fell a tree in winter, it will contain less … Continue reading →

Choosing a log store can leave you baffled. That is because there is such a wide selection on the market. Just by looking on Google you will see that there are literally hundreds of options from which to choose. With that in mind, join us now as we help you navigate the most important factors to consider when choosing a log store that is ideal for your needs… Air circulation Most log stores are suitable as long as they have sufficient air circulation. If you are going to fill your log store up completely, then we recommend you avoid the boxed log stores with doors and closed sides unless they are very large. Commonly people like to use the available space in their shed to store logs. In this instance, again, we would recommend ensuring the shed in well ventilated … Continue reading →

There are times when cutting trees on your property becomes necessary. For example, if you plan to build a new structure or extend an existing structure, then any trees in the way must be removed. Meanwhile, trees that are diseased, dead or dying pose safety risks and may need to be removed as well. However, sometimes there is no reason for removing trees that are diseased. This is because they can be treated and brought back to life using minimal cutting to remove the problem limbs. But when else is tree cutting necessary? A clean slate New homeowners commonly want to plant new types of trees or implement a new landscaping design for their property. Existing trees that do not fit with the new plan must be removed. Interference with buildings Trees that are planted near buildings pose a different … Continue reading →

Your firewood should always be as dry as possible. Not only is it very tricky to get a fire started with wet or damp wood, but it also does not burn with as much heat. Furthermore, it can be detrimental to your chimney, creating a lot of soot and creosote that can potentially lead to chimney fires. In this post we will explain how to season firewood. What is seasoning? Seasoning is the process wood goes through to extract its moisture content. The less moisture, the better the wood will burn – simple. The moisture content will need to be brought down to 25-20% from common values of 45-30%. The best way to achieve the correct moisture content is to split your logs to allow them to dry quicker. The length of time it takes to season firewood will also … Continue reading →

The growth rate of a Leyland cypress is three to four feet per year when young, and it will remain green even if it is grown in poor soil. At best, it can attain of up to 50 feet in height. Usually it will have a dense, pyramidal or oval outline if not pruned. However, the branches can tolerate hard trimming to create a windbreak, screen and/or a formal hedge. Indeed, the Leyland cypress thickens to a large extent, creating a solid wall. But beware. It will likely outgrow its space if planted on a small plot. As a result, regular trimming is highly recommended. The roots are shallow, but they can still push over large trees in wet soils. Having said all that, what else should you know before choosing this fast-growing variety of plant? Planting Leyland cypress The … Continue reading →

Did you know? Here at Westbeams Tree Care you can hire log splitting equipment and operators to make short work of firewood production. This means there is no need to wear yourself out swinging an axe and no chance of straining your body either. On average, one operator can create a winter’s worth of firewood in a couple of hours with no significant problems. So what else do you need to know? Our log splitters Our log splitters are powerful and efficient, making short work of even the most troublesome timber. They are engine driven hydraulic machines that are designed for maximum performance when tackling most log sizes and timber types. Our people Although hours of labour can be saved by using a log splitter, you should be aware that this is a hazardous activity. No doubt, only trained adults … Continue reading →