We’ve got to admit it, we love trees, and there are so many benefits to having a tree in your garden. From assisting the fight against climate change, protecting you from flooding, providing a home for all manner of creatures to help beat the biodiversity crisis, giving you shade and oxygen, as well as being downright beautiful, they are essential to a great garden. However, with a fantastic tree there comes a great responsibility to keep it healthy, and that’s why you might need a helping hand, so we thought we would jot down a few things to consider to make sure that you make the right choice when selecting a tree surgeon.
1. Is your prospective tree surgeon an ARB Approved Contractor?
You want your trees to be in the hands of someone who knows what they are doing. The Arboricultural Association (the leading voice on all matters arboricultural in the UK), which champion the sustainable management of trees, has an Approved Contractor list.
So selecting a company local to you from that list is your first step to making the right connection. Are we proudly able to say we are on the list? Why yes, we are!
2. Do they know their ash from their elbow?
A tree that has been well taken care of can live for generations, so your family can feel the benefits for many years to come. However, trees can get sick, so it’s key to choose a tree surgeon who knows their Dutch Elm Disease from their Ash Dieback, and more importantly, what to do about it to stop the infection from spreading.
3. Is your chosen tree surgeon safe?
Trees are heavy, tall and require tools that can be both very sharp and dangerous for those who don’t know what they are doing.
So choosing a company that adheres to meticulous safety standards is an absolute essential.
At Ward Tree Surgeons, we use the BS 3998 Tree Work Standards as our basis for ensuring our clients, the environment and our staff are kept as safe as possible.
4. Have they got your back?
If something does go wrong, then you need to make sure that your chosen tree surgeon has comprehensive public liability insurance. Needless to say, here at Ward Tree Surgeons, we are fully insured.
5. And to the tune of how much?
Our public liability insurance is for up to a whopping £10 million, so you know your home and trees are in good hands.
6. Do they tidy up after themselves?
Inevitably, keeping your tree in tip-top condition means lopping off the occasional branch or removing a stump, so what happens with all the mess?
Unless you explicitly state that you would like to keep them (e.g. for firewood), we will dispose of all of the logs and timber. This removal and disposal is included in your quote. Similarly, we will put all branches through our chipping machine and dispose of them unless you wish to keep them for your garden. There is no waste, and it all gets turned into woodchips or logs!
7. Are they spreading themselves too thin?
No one wants a faceless corporation turning up at their house demanding access to their back garden. Knowledge of the local area and conditions can help with safety and speed of response. We can be there when you need us.
Our headquarters are based in Banwell and our local team will travel to you, whether you are in Weston-super-Mare, Bristol, Clevedon or Bath or anywhere in between.
8. What do people say about this tree surgeon?
With our qualifications and history we know we can solve your tree-based problems, but you shouldn’t just take our word for it. Why not see what our clients have to say about us by checking out our Facebook reviews!
9. Do they know about TPO’s?
If you suspect your tree has a Tree Protection Order or conservation order, we will make enquiries for you and deal with the council, including completing applications. That’s a weight off your mind!
10. Will they charge you just to quote?
We can’t speak for our competitors, but from us, it’s absolutely free, so what are you waiting for? Send us a little bit of information and an image of the tree you want us to work on, and we’ll take it from there!