View our FAQs

Working throughout Cumbria, Arborscape Environmental Services undertakes all aspects of tree work, landscaping, grounds and maintenance. Select from our FAQs below. Alternatively give us a call.
Contact us

At Arborscape Environmental Services, we are passionate about providing exceptional tree care and environmental services across the beautiful landscapes of Cumbria. Whether you’re looking to maintain the health of your trees, remove hazardous ones, or enhance your outdoor spaces, our expert team is here to help.

Contact Us
  • 24/7 Availability
  • Operating throughout Cumbria and the North West
  • NPTC Certified Arborists
  • 5,000+ Jobs Completed
  • Fully Qualified Team
  • Environmentally Friendly Practices

Tree Services

What is Ash Dieback and how can I tell if my tree has it?

Ash dieback is a serious fungal disease, detected in the UK back in 2012 it is now widespread. The fungus causes rapid or gradual crown dieback and can also attack the root collar of susceptible trees. A susceptible ash tree may take many or only a few years to eventually die depending on site conditions, as well as size and genetic make-up of the tree.

Read more in this guide from the Tree Council 

Contact us for a tree inspection and advice on the best course of action.

Caring for trees is about more than good pruning and regular maintenance—it also involves understanding the legal protections and planning requirements that influence what you can and cannot do. In the UK, many trees fall under specific planning controls, especially in Conservation Areas or where a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) is in place. If you’re considering tree work on your property, it’s essential to ensure everything is done correctly and lawfully.

At Arborscape Environmental Services, we guide clients through the entire process—from professional inspection to liaising with the local authority—ensuring your trees are managed safely, responsibly, and fully in line with UK planning law.

You can read more in our blog or

Here at Arborscape we have the experience, expertise and equipment to extract trees from a range of complex situations. We are experienced in acquiring TPO’s, road closures and liaising with multiple stakeholders to achieve professional, efficient results. 

We recently completed complex tree removal from a site in Patterdale. You can read about it here.

Contact us to talk through the options

According to the RHS, trees are generally best pruned when dormant (late Autumn to Winter) for deciduous trees and in April for evergreens, to protect new growth.  Stone fruits (cherries, plums) should be pruned in summer to avoid disease, while formative pruning for young trees is best done in early spring. You can read their handy guide to pruning for more information.

Tree pruning is an essential aspect of tree care that involves the selective removal of branches to improve tree health, promote proper growth, and mitigate safety hazards. At Arborscape, we understand the importance of proper pruning techniques and adhere to industry best practices to ensure optimal results for your trees. 

Find out more about our Tree Pruning Services or give us a call on 01946 444224

Winter is generally considered to be the best time of year for planting, giving shrubs and trees time to get established before the Summer. 

Other considerations when planting trees are:

  • The size the tree will grow to. This will effect it’s positioning and proximity to buildings / roads / utilities & services.
  • Suitable staking will usually be required until the tree becomes established.
  • Protection from wildlife.
  • Selection of the right species of tree for the location will often determine if the planting is sucsessful.

Need some more information? Contact us.

You can read more about tree planting in our blog When to Plant Trees 

Find out more about our Tree Planting Services

We run a range of state of the art specialist machinery and equipment, which enables us to reduce risk to the public, improve efficiency and minimise environmental impact. 

These range from tree harvesters, high level platforms such as MEWPs, forwarders, tracked and low-ground-pressure machines as well as various cranes and remote controlled equipment.

Check out our case study A Mechanised Solution, for more insight.

Emergency Works

Do you respond to emergency call outs?

Windblown trees can store enormous hidden tension, and any wrong move can cause them to shift or snap without warning.

Check out our blog on Windblown Trees for information.

If you have a windblown tree you need removing, call us on 01946 444224.

Typical preventative measures include the following:

  • Tree Inspections & Risk Assessments – Our qualified arborists carry out detailed surveys to identify hazardous trees.
  • Pruning & Deadwood Removal – Removing dangerous limbs reduces the chance of storm breakage.
  • Felling of Dangerous or Diseased Trees – Where necessary, we safely remove unstable or infected trees.
  • Clearance of Public Paths and Roadsides – Ensuring tree safety to allow for safe access walkers, cyclists, and vehicles throughout the winter months.

Read more in our blog

Or contact us for advice

Once the area has be assessed and any potential issues identified, our team provides practical, environmentally responsible solutions. Direct works may include:

  • Debris and vegetation clearance to restore natural water flow
  • Removal of fallen trees or branches obstructing channels
  • Desilting and sediment management to deepen or widen restricted areas
  • Bank reinforcement using environmentally sensitive techniques
  • Repair or replacement of damaged culverts and structures

Every intervention is planned and executed with a focus on ecological balance. Our specialists work carefully to protect wildlife habitats and ensure compliance with environmental regulations.

You can read more about the issues around flooding in the Environment Agency’s recent consultation.

Or give us a call for advice on 01946 444224

Commercial Services

How often should grounds maintenance be performed?

Maintenance frequency is dependent on-site features, on our most minimal schedule for smaller sites we generally perform monthly visits while larger more complex sites can receive multiple visits per week from our specialist teams. Our experts will provide bespoke maintenance plans for all sites that aligns with client needs and maintain an excellent quality of external space.

Case studies, Hunday, Innovia, Forest School

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.

Wood Chipper, Hire & Wood Chip

Can anyone hire a wood chipper?

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.

Woodchip mulch are widely used in gardens, landscapes, and public green spaces due to their practical and long-term benefits. Beyond their visual appeal, these organic mulches play an important role in soil health, plant performance, and resource conservation. When applied correctly, they contribute to more resilient and lower-maintenance landscapes.

Read more about the uses of wood chip here.

If you don’t already have wood chip, we also sell composted chip which is perfect for mulching. Contact us for more information.

To hire  from us you will need ‘hired in plant’ cover that does not exceed the value of the machine you are hiring.

Compliance

Health & safety

We comply with all National and Local Environmental standards in addition to striving to create net biodiversity gain.

  • Pre-start checks for nesting birds and protected species are carried out and recorded in accordance with the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
  • Work timings comply with local authority guidance and relevant regulations.
  • Avoid any unnecessary disturbance of hedgerows, root protection areas, and adjacent habitats. 
  • Use of ground protection boards where required.
  • Machinery selection is matched to site conditions to reduce compaction, including specialist low impact units. 
  • Works are postponed in extreme wet conditions where damage risk is high. 
  • Refuelling is carried out carefully using non-spill fuel dispensers and bunded drip trays.
  • Oils, chemicals, and fuels are stored securely in bunded containers and transported safely.
  • All operatives are trained in spill response procedures and COSHH regulations. Spill kits are carried in all vehicles to prevent contamination of soil or watercourses.
  • Biodegradable oils used in all chainsaws for bar lubricant and where practicable in large machines.
  • Alkylate 2-stroke fuels reduce pollutant output through cleaner combustion. 
  • Battery tools are used in noise-sensitive areas.
  • Separated waste disposal facilities at depot compliant to Simpler Recycling legislation.
  • Non-woody green waste recycled at local licenced composting facility. 
  • Woody waste recycled as woodchip or log products.
  • Deadwood materials retained on site for ecological value where practicable. 
  • Water collection facilities at depot reduce reliance on mains supply for cleaning and watering.
  • Sustainable uniform/workwear sourcing using “Ecovis” products made from bamboo fibre.
  • Local supply chain for consumables, small plant, uniform, PPE, and spare parts (suppliers within Cumbria). 
  • Digitised work system reduces use of paper copy cutting waste.
  • Increased transition to battery-powered equipment as technology advances and fleet replacement cycles allow, including addition of first battery powered drop-side work vehicle.
  • Transition of more large plant machinery items to bio-oil solutions for both engine and hydraulic operation. 
  • Continued telematics and fuel monitoring to track and reduce fuel consumption, plus evaluation of new electric drop-side.
  • Additional staff environmental awareness training, including toolbox talks focused on biodiversity and pollution prevention. 
  • Addition of solar power generation to depot building roof.
  • Working with clients to identify opportunities for habitat enhancement.

Local / Community Benefits

What community projects are you involved with?

Currently we provide a free fruit/ornamental tree replanting scheme for local community projects and public spaces supports our local environment (clients receive one free standard tree per £5k/annum contract spend).

Additionally around 10% of woodchip products donated to local project & good causes, allotments, community groups etc.

  • National Living Wage Scheme accredited employer paying a fair rate to our local staff. 
  • Healthcare benefit provided to all staff including minor surgeries and regular dental, optical and chiropody cover along with discounts on living cost items.
  • Over 1000 hours of CPD delivered to local staff in 2025, minimum of 1200 planned for 2026, 1500 planned for 2027.
  • Created 2 new job roles for previously unemployed Copeland & Allerdale residents. Minimum of one in 2026 (currently ongoing), planned minimum of one in 2027.
  • Apprentice opportunities with one recently completed (2024-2026) and three in progress, one further level 2 arborist opportunity planned for September 2026 (suitable for young persons). 
  • 5 work experience placements provided for local under 18s over 4 years, rolling commitment of minimum 2 per annum planned for 2026-27.