02/12/2015 Last Modified: 01/08/2023
Stage 1: ASK FOR A QUOTE**
(a reputable arborist will always give a positive response)
- Are you insured?
If YES. please show evidence of insurance – Employers’ Liability & Public Liability (recommended minimum of £5 million).
- Do you work to a British Standard?
If YES, which one?
Should be BS3998: 2010 ‘Tree Work – Recommendations’.
- What qualifications do you and your staff hold? (ask to see copies)
Compulsory: MUST have NPTC/Lantra Awards*** certificates for chainsaw use.
Recommended: Certificates for other skills and machines. Arboricultural knowledge e.g. National Certificates and Diplomas in Arboriculture.
- Will you provide a written quotation?
If NO, reject the contractor.
- Are you a member of a professional organisation?
Membership does not guarantee work standards but does show a degree of commitment.
- Can you provide me with the phone number of a referee who can show me some of your work?
If YES, follow up the reference.
**Obtain more than one quote, ideally 3.
***NPTC and Lantra Awards are national organisations that assess competence of people using chainsaws and other arboricultural equipment. Competent arborists will be able to show you an A4 sized certificate or plastic ID card if requested.
Tree work operations (arboriculture) require a high degree of technical competence, supported by training and experience. For these reasons tree work should only be undertaken by well-trained, competent arborists experience at the type of work being undertaken, e.g. tree pruning/tree removal.
Stage 2: CHOOSING THE QUOTE THAT SUITS YOU
When you receive your quotations check they include the following before deciding which one to accept:
- Reference to BS3998: 2010 ‘Tree Work – Recommendations’
- Clear and full details of the work to be undertaken (the specification).
- What will happen to the timber and brushwood?
- What will happen wit the tree stumps?
- Whether VAT is included.
- Who will be responsible for obtaining permission if the trees are protected?
- What steps will be taken to protect you and your property (the risk assessment)?
Be aware that there may be a limited quote validity period.
COMPETENT ARBORISTS (TREE SURGEONS)
In the UK there are two recognised schemes certifying the competence of arborists through examination and regular re-assessment or Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
The Arboricultural Association maintains an online Directory of quality assured tree surgery businesses. they are regularly assessed for their health and safety procedures, office and business practices, including customer care, as well as their quality of tree work. they will display the ARB Approved Contractor logo.
You can search for an arborist in the Arboricultural Association Approved Contractor Directory, either using your postcode or by searching for the company name directly.
Please note that some contractors claim to be an Approved Contractor when they are not. For the avoidance of any doubt, if they do not appear on the online register then they are not an Approved Contractor. Please contact us directly at admin@trees.org.uk if you suspect that someone is falsely claiming to be an Approved Contractor.
Some contractors specialise in utility arboriculture (trees alongside power lines, railways, waterways and telecoms etc.) rather than residential work. To search for a contractor who specialises in utility arboriculture, please select the ‘Utilities’ tab within the directory.
Individual arborists may be certified by the International Society or Arboriculture (ISA). The ISA assesses the individual for their knowledge. Certified arborists will display the ISA Certified Arborist logo.
Please check with the Society that the arborist’s approval is current, through the ISA website www.isa-arbor.com/.
Other arborists may be equally competent. If they do not subscribe to either of the above schemes you should take more care to follow up the advice contained in Stage 1 & 2 above.
BE SAFE, BE SURE
There is no shortage of people and companies offering tree work services, but how do you choose between them? The Health and Safety Executive says,
“…clients engaging contractors to undertake tree work need to carefully check they have the necessary skill and competence. Tree work is hazardous; to be done safely it requires properly trained and experienced people… Arboricultural trade associations can supply details of approved contractors and information to help you choose a competent tree work contractor…”
It is equally important that advice given in respect to trees is correct and from reliable professionals. People and companies in this directory have satisfied the Arboricultural Association that they are competent to provide the consultancy and contractor services as described.
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD THE 'CHOOSING YOUR TREE SURGEON' LEAFLET
The new mark
Recognising an ARB Approved Contractor
A great way to recognise a competent Tree Surgeon is to look out for the ARB Approved Contractor Shield. The shield is relatively new and chances are your local Tress Surgeon may still be displaying the old logo. Indeed, just because you see the old logo it does not mean they are not approved, just go to our directory page to check out a Tree Surgeon to give you peace-of-mind. We only show Tree Surgeons who have been approved and who have been assessed.
The old mark
BEWARE
This is not a set-up but a real-life situation captured on camera. So what's wrong?
PEOPLE AT RISK:
CLIMBER
No head injury protection (helmet)
No eyesight protection
No hearing protection
No fall protection (platform, rope and harness etc.)
No cut protection (chainsaw resistant trousers and boots)
GROUNDSMAN
No head injury protection (helmet)
No protection from traffic (high visibility clothing, road signing and traffic management)
OTHER PEOPLE
Pedestrians and residents at risk of being hit by timber
Vehicles at risk of being hit by timber
PROPERTY
Damage to fencing and other garden features
Damage to street infrastructure
Damage to a valuable tree
You could be at risk if you employ a tree surgeon or tree advisor who works like this and causes harm, injury or loss to yourself or anyone else.
SPOT THE DIFFERENCE
No helmet
No eye protection
No hearing protection
No fall protection
No cut protection
Outdated chainsaw
Industrial chainsaw helmet
Full-face visor including eye protection
Ear defenders for hearing protection
Rope and harness for fall protection
Chainsaw trousers / boots for cut protection
Modern chainsaw with safety features
CHOOSE CAREFULLY
By choosing arborists (tree surgeons) from this directory you have the security of knowing that each person or company has passed the Association's rigorous and industry recognised standards of safety and tree care. All home/landowners have a responsibility* to engage competent people to work on their property. If you choose to use a contractor not listed in the directory the following checklist can help you establish the contractor's competence.
*Common law duty of care responsibilities and sometimes liabilities under the Occupiers' Liability Acts of 1957 & 1984.