Trees are an important part of our homes, gardens and communities. They provide shade, privacy, habitat, visual character and environmental benefits. Managing them safely, however, requires knowledge, experience and professional care.
At Absolute Tree Care and Gardens, we are seeing more homeowners ask about tree safety, insurance, storm damage and whether trees close to buildings should be considered a risk. Alongside those concerns, another issue deserves attention: the growing number of unqualified or inexperienced contractors offering tree surgery services.
Good tree surgery should protect the tree wherever reasonably possible — not simply remove as much of it as possible.
Are trees becoming an insurance concern?
Mature trees often grow close to homes, roads, gardens and other structures. While they can be valuable assets, homeowners may understandably worry about falling branches, tree failure or storm damage when a tree stands near property.
Climate change is adding further complexity. Drought, high winds, heavy rainfall, extreme temperatures and changing pest and disease pressures can all affect tree health and stability. This makes professional tree survey increasingly important.
It is important to remember that a large tree is not automatically a dangerous tree.
Professional arboriculture is not about removing every tree that could potentially cause damage; it is about understanding the tree, assessing the circumstances and managing identified risks proportionate and sensible way.
Tree Survey: understanding the actual risk
A professional tree survey considers both the condition of the tree and the environment around it.
Key factors may be considered include:
- The overall health and condition of the tree
- Structural defects, decay or weakened branches
- Root and soil conditions
- The tree’s location and
- Nearby houses, roads, vehicles and other potential targets
- The likelihood of tree or branch failure
- The potential consequences of failure
- Previous damage or changes to the surrounding environment
This evidence-based approach is very different from simply deciding that a tree is “too big” or “too close to the house”.
Good tree safety decisions should be based on proportionate risk assessment rather than fear or assumption.
Depending on the findings, the right response may be pruning, remedial work, regular monitoring or, where a significant defect creates an unacceptable risk, removal.
The important point is that the decision should reflect the tree’s condition and circumstances.
Climate change makes professional tree care more important
Trees are living organisms, and their growing conditions are changing.
Drought, storms, extreme temperatures and shifting pest and disease patterns can place trees under additional stress and affect their long-term health.
This makes the role of the professional arborist increasingly important. Good tree care should not simply react when problems arise; it should consider the long-term health, structure and resilience of the tree.
Correct tree pruning, appropriate tree management and regular tree inspection can help identify developing issues before they become more serious.
Poor tree work, by contrast, can damage the tree and create avoidable long-term problems that may not be apparent for years.
The growing problem of unqualified tree surgeons
One of the biggest challenges for tree owners is knowing who they can trust to carry out tree work.
Tree surgery is specialist, potentially dangerous work involving chainsaws, climbing equipment, ropes, machinery and working at height, often close to houses, vehicles, roads and members of the public.
In the UK, tree surgery is not directly regulated in the same way as some other professions. As a result, tree owners may encounter people advertising themselves as tree surgeons without necessarily having the appropriate qualifications, training, experience or insurance.
A professional-looking van or social media page is not, by itself, evidence of competence. Before employing a tree surgeon, qualifications, experience, insurance and approach to health and safety should be checked..
Why qualifications and experience matter
Tree pruning is not simply a matter of cutting branches away. Every cut can affect the tree’s future structure, health and appearance.
Poor pruning can result in:
- Unnecessary loss of healthy growth
- Weak or poorly structured regrowth
- Increased susceptibility to decay
- Damage to the natural form of the tree
- Future structural problems
- Additional remedial work and cost
In some cases, inappropriate work can create problems that may not become obvious for several years. This is especially concerning when trees are already facing increasing environmental pressures.
The cheapest Tree Surgery quote isn’t always the best value
We understand that tree owners want a competitive price when arranging tree work. However, choosing the cheapest quotation without checking what is included can sometimes prove costly in the long term.
A contractor without suitable training, insurance or equipment may be able to offer a lower price because their overheads are lower. If something goes wrong, however, the consequences can be significant.
Potential problems include:
- Damage to buildings, vehicles or neighbouring property
- Injury to workers or members of the public
- Poorly executed pruning
- Unnecessary tree removal
- Damage to protected trees
- Additional costs to correct poor workmanship
A professional quotation should therefore be judged on more than the final price.
It should also consider whether the contractor understands the work, has the appropriate insurance and can carry it out safely and competently.
Questions to ask before hiring a tree surgeon
Before instructing a tree care company, homeowners should feel comfortable asking clear, practical questions:
- Are you insured? Ask to see evidence of suitable public liability insurance and employers’ liability insurance where applicable.
- What qualifications and training do you have? Competent tree work requires appropriate training and practical experience.
- Can you provide references or examples of previous work? A reputable company should be comfortable demonstrating its experience.
- Will the work follow recognised arboricultural standards? BS 3998 provides important recommendations for tree work and is widely referenced within professional arboriculture.
- Is the tree protected? Trees may be subject to a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) or conservation area controls, which should be checked before work begins.
- What exactly are you recommending and why? A good tree surgeon should be able to explain their recommendations clearly and in straightforward language.
Absolute Tree Care and Gardens ensure that all tree owners understand what tree service work is being proposed and why it is considered necessary.
Insurance and tree work
Insurance is another important reason to choose a competent tree care contractor. Tree owners should verify a contractor’s insurance cover before work begins, rather than assuming that any damage will automatically be covered.
A professional tree contractor should be able to explain what insurance they hold and provide suitable evidence when asked.
Should a tree always be removed because it is considered a risk?
No.
The presence of some level of risk does not automatically mean a tree needs to be removed. Every tree carries some inherent risk because trees are living structures and branches can fail.
The objective of professional tree survey is to understand that risk and decide what action, if any, is proportionate.
Removing a healthy mature tree should not be the automatic response to every concern.
Trees also provide significant benefits, including:
- Providing shade and cooling
- Supporting wildlife habitat and biodiversity
- Improved appearance of gardens and neighbourhoods
- Providing privacy
- Helping manage rainfall
- Environmental benefits
- Increasing the amenity value
Choosing a professional tree care company
Absolute Tree Care and Gardens, are Approved Arboricultural Association Contractors, we believe responsible tree care is about much more than cutting branches. It is about understanding trees, identifying genuine risks and carrying out work carefully, safely and professionally.
Whether you need tree pruning, tree removal, crown reduction, hedge work, tree survey or general tree care, you should receive clear advice and understand why the tree work is being recommended.
We believe the long-term health of a tree should always be considered alongside immediate safety requirements.
Looking after trees for the future
The arboricultural industry is changing, and homeowners are facing a more complex set of decisions about tree care and safety.
Key pressures include climate change, extreme weather, insurance concerns and the rise of unqualified contractors offering tree surgery services.
The answer is not to fear trees, but to make better-informed decisions about them.
With appropriate assessment and competent professional tree management, trees can continue to provide significant benefits for many years.
Summary
Tree risk should be managed through informed, proportionate assessment rather than fear or assumption. Mature trees can provide major environmental, practical and visual benefits, but they also need appropriate care from professional and competent tree surgeons.
Before hiring a tree surgeon, tree owners should check qualifications, insurance and working standards. Choosing the right contractor helps protect people, property and the long-term health of the tree.
Good arboriculture is not about eliminating every possible risk. It is about understanding the tree, managing risk responsibly, and protecting the value and benefits that trees bring to our homes and communities.
If you are concerned about a tree on your property, Absolute Tree Care and Gardens can provide professional advice and help you understand the most appropriate way forward.
Need advice about a tree? Contact Absolute Tree Care and Gardens today for professional tree care and arboricultural advice.
