Working at height is risky. However, working at height operating the machinery we use in the arboricultural trade can be outright dangerous. Therefore employing a reputable company to carry out such work is important. But how do you know which tree surgeon to hire? And is it even possible to spot an honest tree surgeon from one that is not? The answer is yes! At Cedar Tree Care we follow the regulations set by the British Standards of Tree Work. In the below post, we’ll take through some key points to look out for when hiring a company to undertake tree work.

• Climbing Technique & Equipment
• Essential Qualifications
• The Quote Stage
• Health & Safety First
• The Company Image
• Go With Your Instinct

Climbing Technique & Equipment

No matter how experienced a tree surgeon is they should never approach a job without the correct technique and equipment. There are two main climbing techniques that are used in the UK; Stationary Rope System (SRS) and Moving Rope System (MRS). Find out which technique your chosen tree surgeon is planning on using and be sure they are also wearing the correct PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) throughout. At the very least this should consist of a helmet/visor, ear protectors, chainsaw boots, high visibility chainsaw jacket and trousers.

Essential Qualifications

A tree surgeon ought to have the correct qualifications before they carry out any sort of tree work. Such qualifications are issued by the National Proficiency Tests Council (NPTC) which is part of the City & Guilds group. Whilst there are many courses available the NPTC is the only governing body allowed to issue certificates of competency to the trade. If the your hired tree surgeon doesn’t hold any of the following certificates do not allow them to begin work – Chainsaw Maintenance and Cross Cutting (CS30), Felling Small Trees  (CS31), Tree Climbing and Rescue (CS38) & (CS39) Aerial Cutting of Trees with a Chainsaw Using Free-fall Techniques (CS39) as well First Aid at Work.

The Quote Stage

A reputable and honest tree surgeon would always be willing to provide you with a free written quote. If a company asks you to pay for a quotation up front then see this as a red flag. Similarly if the quotation offered does’t outline exactly what is included in the price either ask for more details or look elsewhere. It’s a good idea to get a number of quotes from different companies before deciding who to hire. This will not only help determine who can offer the best price but also enable you to gain a much better understanding of what different companies offer in their quotes. For example, do they provide site clearance services or charge for the hiring of any additional equipment. Both of these can incur a considerable extra cost on your final bill if not specified beforehand. During the quoting stage it is also important to ask which tradesperson will be undertaking the work they are quoting for. Ask for their credentials and experience. Don’t allow an apprentice to do the work of a veteran tree surgeon just because the owner of the firm suggests so.

Healthy & Safety First

The arboricultural industry can pose many dangers. We mentioned early the necessary PPE required by law to undertake tree work. But such protective equipment will only protect against certain hazards. The only way to ensure complete safety is by fully complying with the health and safety regulations set by the HSE on tree work. You don’t need to be qualified to figure out whether or not your chosen tree surgeon company fully abide by the rules. There are actually number of warning signs to look for with some of these red flags being more obvious than others. For instance do they arrive in a sign written van or a beaten up old truck. Are they operating clean and functioning equipment or does their chainsaw and chipper look in desperate need of replacing. And are they using the proper climbing equipment such as ropes, harness, carabiner rather than balancing atop a rickety old ladder.

The Company Image

A surefire way to know all of the above prior to beginning is simply by going to the company website. Any trade company website should be full of information regarding the company and the work they do. It should also be brimming with reviews from happy customers and feature plenty of images of the company at work. An old clunky website with next to no information that doesn’t include any reviews equates to an old clunky company with little to offer and a bad reputation. Also look for the language the company is using. The workers ought to be using up-to-date industry terms such as crown reduction and crown topping as opposed to dated terms. The use of modern language can be a helpful indication to the competence level of the company you are hiring.

Go With Your Instinct

There is no better judge of character than your own instinct. Despite all of what is mentioned above, if you feel something isn’t quite right regarding the tree surgeon company you are liaising with then it probably isn’t. Be sure to follow our above blog post to determine some of the more subtle red flags associated with a dishonest tree surgeon outfit and couple this information with your own intuition.

Contact Us

So, if you would like more information on about any of our tree surgeon services, then get in touch! You can contact Cedar Tree Care today on 01708 301371 to request a call back today. Alternatively you can emailing us via info@cedar-treecare.co.uk. We offer a range of tree care services, including tree felling, forestry, grounds maintenance, planting, site clearance and firewood. We are excited to hear from you.