How to find a tree surgeon?
Finding the right tree surgeon can be a daunting endeavour, and if done incorrectly, it could result in serious injury or damage to your property, as well as irreparable harm to your trees. We can’t suggest a tree surgeon, other than us. But we can offer some tips on how to find a tree surgeon who is good.
For what reason should you hire a tree surgeon?
It is a perilous and highly specialised job to work with trees. Choosing a tree surgeon is an important decision that should not be made lightly.
- Injury to persons
- Property damage
- Irreversible harm to trees that have grown for years.
Hiring the right tree surgeon
There is a high level of technical skill required for arboricultural operations (tree work), reinforced by training and experience. For these reasons, only properly qualified and insured arborists should perform tree work.
The question is, how do you know if they’re the “genuine deal?”
To market themselves as tree surgeons, anyone can do so. There is no guarantee that a “tree surgeon near me” will do a good job or that it will be done safely based just on an advertisement.
The National Proficiency Tests Council (NPTC) certifies that a tree surgeon has been trained and tested. They will often have extra academic degrees in arboriculture and will utilise safety equipment to safeguard you, your property and themselves. An established company will be happy to provide you with copies of its liability, worker’s compensation, and professional membership certificates, as well as evidence of its compliance with nationally recognised standards (e.g., BS 3998 (2010)). It’s also a good idea to receive a formal estimate for the work to be done.
Ask questions and get a quote!
Before hiring a tree surgeon, be sure to ask a lot of questions. Tree surgeons should be well-versed in a wide range of tree species, as well as pests and diseases that may impact them. They will come to your location to meet with you and give you a free quote.
Never settle for an estimate, always ask for a quote. The cost of a project may be more or lower than originally estimated during the work. Professional tree surgeons are more than pleased to provide you with a free estimate. Get a written estimate and verify that the location will be reasonably clean and tidy when the work is done. In addition, you must know if VAT is applicable. If you tell the tree surgeon that you want to save the logs or chips, he or she may give you a discount on the job. Make sure that if you want a tree root to be removed after a tree has been felled, this is included in the quote. Until the job is finished, do not make a payment.