Frequently Asked Questions: Chelmsford Tree Surgeons

Why should I hire a qualified arborist?

As with any work you may require on your property you want confidence that the contractor is qualified to do what has been asked, safely and to the highest standard. A qualified arborist (tree surgeon) will have received training and been assessed on his competence.

What does a tree surgeon do?

Typical tree surgery duties include:
​​Emergency Tree Services
Tree Pruning
Tree Removal
Stump Removal
​Crown Lifting
Crown Thinning
Crown Reduction
Pollarding
Site Clearance
Hedge Trimming

Can I receive a quotation over the phone?

It is practically impossible to cost a tree work job over the phone. We have many things to take into consideration such as access for machinery and equipment required to do the work, assessment of the trees in question and ease of disposal of wood and arisings. For us to accurately advise you of the cost and extent of any required work, it is important that one of our qualified tree surgeons carries out a site inspection. This is free and you are under no obligation to use us to carry out the work.

Do you provide free quotations?

Yes, we will undertake a free, no obligation site visit in order to gauge the amount and type of tree surgery required and to assess any health and safety implications. You will then receive a full breakdown of all works and associated costs. You don’t need to pay anything upfront; we will only invoice you once the job is complete.

How long will I have to wait to have the work done after I have accepted the quotation?

Whilst we will always try to get work booked in as soon as possible, there are some periods in the year when there may be a longer wait. During the winter months (October to February) we can have delays caused by poor weather conditions, during busy times there could be a wait of up to 3 to 4 weeks. The tree surgeon that comes to give you the quote can advise you of the waiting time. If you are waiting for permission from the Council, you may have to wait up to 8 weeks (see section below on TPO and Conservation).

When is the best time of year to have work done to my trees and hedges?

A: It is recommended that trees are worked on after leaf fall and before bud burst. This however is not true for all species so we would prefer to look at each tree individually. Most common species of hedges can be cut any time of the year but again we would confirm this after inspection.

Will you make the worksite safe?

Yes we will endeavour to keep the safety of the site our priority, if needs be we will tape off areas of the site and signs will be erected telling the public of the dangers.

How much noise will you make and for how long?

Tree surgery is an inherently noisy trade, with chainsaws and wood-chippers operating in normally quiet residential areas. There will be some disruption, but we will try to keep it to a minimum and for the shortest time possible.

How much access do you need?

For certain operations, such as stump-grinding a minimum of 36 inches is required for us to get our machine in, generally a normal sized alleyway will do.

Can you remove tree stumps?

Yes, we are equipped to grind out stumps. We use the stump grindings to fill the hole created but there will be excess grindings which you can then use to mulch the area surrounding.

Do I need to let my neighbours know?

By the nature of what we do, there will always be noise from chainsaws which may disturb neighbours. We would recommend you letting them know in advance

Can I use the wood chip from my trees?

Many of our customers now keep the chippings for future use on the garden as mulch – ideal for keeping weeds out and moisture in. This depends on the type of chip and its intended use. A number of trees when chipped are not suitable for garden use. However, our arborist can advise you of this.

Can I have the wood for logging?

We will happily leave you the wood for logging if asked to. We will endeavour to cut the logs into in large chunks for you to handle, they will be stacked near to where the tree was dismantled. If you would like to us to log and stack them this can also be arrange at an additional cost.

How will you leave my garden?

We will leave your garden as tidy as possible with little evidence of us being there. We will take the entire tree away, if that I what you would like us to do.

Are your staff qualified and experienced?

Tree surgery is a dangerous job that carries significant risks. Therefore, we only employ tree surgeons who are fully qualified to carry out the tasks at hand. They have the relevant certification to work with the specialist machinery and tools required to effectively care for, maintain and/or remove trees.

What if my tree has a Tree Preservation Order on it or I live in a Conservation Area?

A tree preservation order (referred to as a ‘TPO’) is an order made by a local planning authority (‘LPA’) in respect of trees or woodlands and can be on any tree. Trees in conservation areas may be the subject of a TPO and subject to the normal TPO controls. But the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 also makes special provision for trees in conservation areas which are not the subject of a TPO. Anyone proposing to cut down or carry out work on a tree in a conservation area is required to give the LPA six weeks’ prior notice (a ‘section 211 notice’). The purpose of this requirement is to give the LPA an opportunity to consider whether a TPO should be made in respect of the tree. TPOs prohibit the cutting down, uprooting, even pruning, wilful damage or wilful destruction of trees without consent. Currently the maximum penalty for carrying out works to TPO trees without consent is £20,000. Trees in conservation areas may also be protected even if they are not covered by a tree preservation order.

01245 527 053