Anyone can buy a chainsaw and a van, so how do you know you are hiring a proper tree surgeon? Tree work is skilled, physically demanding and potentially dangerous. Choosing the right company protects your home, your trees and the people doing the work.
Here are the questions worth asking before you agree a quote in Worcestershire or anywhere else.
1. Are they properly insured?
Always ask for proof of public liability insurance, and check that it covers tree work. If a branch falls on your house, your car or your neighbour’s greenhouse, this is what pays for the damage. Companies that employ staff should also hold employer’s liability insurance. A reputable tree surgeon will be happy to show you their certificates.
2. Are the team trained and qualified?
In the UK, chainsaw and tree climbing qualifications are usually awarded through NPTC City & Guilds or Lantra. These cover safe chainsaw use, felling, climbing and aerial rescue. Ask what qualifications the people working on your job hold, not just the business owner.
Aerial rescue training is particularly important. If a climber is injured in a tree, the team on the ground must be able to bring them down safely. You can read about our own aerial rescue refresher training on our blog.
3. Do they work to British Standards?
BS 3998:2010 “Tree work: Recommendations” sets out good practice for pruning, reductions and other tree work. A tree surgeon who works to this standard will talk about pruning back to suitable growth points, avoiding unnecessary wounds and keeping the tree healthy, rather than simply cutting it back hard.
Be wary of anyone who suggests “topping” a mature tree. Cutting the top off leaves large wounds, encourages weak regrowth and often shortens the life of the tree.
4. Do they visit before quoting?
Most tree work needs a site visit. Access, nearby buildings, overhead cables, the condition of the tree and what lies underneath it all affect how the job is done. A quote given over the phone without seeing the tree may change on the day.
5. Will they check for TPOs and conservation areas?
Many trees in Worcester and across the county are protected by Tree Preservation Orders or sit within conservation areas. Working on them without permission can lead to a fine. A good tree surgeon will check this with you and can help with the application. Our guide to Tree Preservation Orders explains how it works.
6. What happens to the waste?
Ask how branches, logs and woodchip will be removed and where they go. Tree waste must be taken away by a registered waste carrier. We reuse as much as we can, which we explain in repurposing felled trees.
7. What do other customers say?
Reviews on Google and other independent sites give you a feel for how a company works: whether they turn up when they say they will, leave the site tidy and treat your property with care. You can read what our customers say on our reviews page.
Warning signs
- Cold calling or door knocking, especially after a storm
- Pressure to agree on the spot, or a request for cash up front
- No written quote, no address and no landline or business details
- No mention of safety equipment, insurance or qualifications
Tree surgeons in Worcester you can trust
Faithful Tree Care has been looking after trees in Worcester, Worcestershire and Herefordshire since 2014. We are fully insured and qualified, and we work to British Standards on every job. To arrange a site visit and quote, call 07828 786300 or send us an enquiry.
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