Frequently Asked Questions

• What Does A Tree Surgeon Do?

  A tree surgeon, also known as an arborist, carries out a wide range of tree care work including pruning, pollarding, crown lifting, crown reductions, felling and stump grinding.
  
  We also carry out associated services such as hedge trimming, tree planting, site clearance and the preparation of tree reports and TPO applications.

• Do I Need Permission To Prune / Fell My Tree?

  Not always, but there are circumstances where permission is required before any work can begin. If your tree is protected by a Tree Preservation Order or sits within a conservation area, you must obtain consent from your local council before carrying out any works, and failing to do so can result in significant fines or prosecution.

• What Is A Tree Preservation Order?

  A Tree Preservation Order is a legal protection placed on a tree, group of trees or woodland by the local planning authority to preserve its amenity value, which covers its visual, environmental or cultural importance.
  
  It can apply to individual trees, groups of trees or entire woodlands, and any works carried out on a TPO tree without prior consent are a criminal offence.

• What Is A Conservation Area?

  A conservation area typically protects a village, town centre or other location that has particular architectural or historic interest.
  
  If your tree sits within a designated conservation area, you must give six weeks’ notice to your local council before carrying out any tree work, even if the tree itself does not have a TPO.

• How Do I Make An Application For TPO / Conservation Area Work?

  Applications can be made directly by contacting your local council, and we can act as your agent and deal with the application process on your behalf.
  
  We prepare the necessary supporting documentation, liaise with the local authority and advise you on the most appropriate works to propose to give your application the best chance of approval.

• Can I Prune A Neighbour's Tree?

  You are legally entitled to cut back branches that overhang your boundary, but only back to the boundary line itself, and you must not trespass onto your neighbour's land to do so.
  
  It is worth having a conversation with your neighbour first, as trees often benefit from an overall reduction rather than being cut hard back to a boundary line, and any cuttings legally belong to the tree owner and should be offered back before disposal.

• What Happens If I Carry Out Illegal Tree Work?

  Penalties for carrying out unauthorised work on a protected tree can include fines of up to £20,000 per tree in a magistrates court, unlimited fines in more serious cases, and a legal requirement to plant replacement trees.
  
  If you are unsure whether your tree is protected, always check before instructing any work, and we are happy to advise.

• How Do I Know If My Tree Is Healthy Or Dangerous?

  Sometimes the signs are obvious, but in other cases a proper assessment by an arborist is needed to determine the condition of a tree.
  
  Look out for dead branches, limbs in decline, loss of leaves out of season and fungal growth at the base, and if you have any concerns at all get in touch with us and we can advise on the best course of action.

• What If A Tree Is Dangerous?

  If a tree is dead, dying or poses an immediate risk to safety, you may be able to carry out works without prior consent, but you must be able to evidence this through photographs or an arborist report, and you should notify your local council where possible.
  
  We can visit the site, assess the risk and prepare the necessary documentation to support any emergency works that need to be carried out.

• Are There Restrictions During Bird Nesting Season?

  Yes. Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it is illegal to disturb an active bird nest, and nesting season typically runs from March to August.
  
  We always check for signs of nesting activity before any work begins, and where nests are present we will advise on whether work should be delayed or whether a survey is required to determine whether it is safe to proceed.

• How Much Does Tree Work Cost?

  Costs vary widely depending on the size and species of the tree, its accessibility, and whether any legal constraints such as TPO applications or traffic management are involved.
  
  We always carry out a site visit before providing a quote, as it is the only reliable way to give you an accurate price for the work required.

• Are You Qualified And Insured?

  Yes. All our staff hold NPTC and City and Guilds certifications for the work they undertake, and we hold both public and employers liability insurance.
  
  All work is carried out to British Standards BS3998, giving you confidence that the job is being done safely, correctly and to a recognised industry standard.

• Will Tree Work Affect My Property / Neighbours?

  When we visit your site to assess the work, we will advise on how the removal or pruning will affect surrounding properties and boundaries.
  
  Where appropriate we use rigging techniques and mobile elevated work platforms to assist with works and prevent damage to buildings, fences, lawns and neighbouring land.

• What Happens To The Waste?

  All green waste and arisings are cleared from site on completion and recycled wherever possible. Wood is chipped on site where practical, and we manage disposal responsibly and in line with current regulations for green waste handling.

• Can We Keep The Logs Or Woodchip?

  Yes, let us know at the point of quoting whether you would like to retain the logs or woodchip, or whether you would prefer everything to be taken away and recycled. We are happy to leave usable timber or woodchip on site for customers who want to make use of it.