Anybody can call themselves a tree surgeon and if you pick up your local newspaper you will more than likely see an advert for somebody offering to top and lop your trees – which is always a bad sign!
When choosing a tree surgeon it’s always worth doing a bit of homework first to make sure they are experienced and qualified to do the job. Here are some things to look out for:
What kind of qualifications do they have? It is imperative that they have NPTC certificates for chainsaw use and any bona fide tree surgeon should be able to prove this to you.
What insurance do they have? The recommended insurance is £5 million Employers and Public Liability cover so make sure that they are covered to do your job.
Do they work to a recognised standard? They should be working to British Standard 3998:2010. This is important if they are working on a protected tree and failure to comply with this standard could result in the prosecution of the tree surgeon or tree owner.
A good tree surgeon should always remove the debris after a job so make sure that they do this.
A good tree surgeon will know if you require planning permission for the tree work so if you are unsure, then ask.
We would always advise you to get a written quotation for the job and if they are unwilling to do this then it’s a tell-tale sign that they are not proper tree surgeons.
At Gardenbusters we have a team of highly trained and experienced tree surgeons who can help you with all aspects of tree work. For help and assistance please call us now.
