How to Choose a Tree Surgeon: 10 Questions to Ask

Hiring the wrong tree surgeon can result in damaged trees, property damage, invalid insurance claims, or even prosecution if protected trees are harmed. Tree surgery is an unregulated industry in the UK — anyone can call themselves a tree surgeon regardless of training or experience.

These 10 questions will help you separate qualified professionals from unqualified operators.

1. Are You Fully Insured?

This is the single most important question. Ask for proof of:

Public liability insurance — minimum £5 million, ideally £10 million. This covers damage to your property, your neighbour's property, vehicles, and injury to third parties.
Employer's liability insurance — legally required if they have employees. Minimum £5 million.
Professional indemnity insurance — relevant if they're providing arboricultural advice or surveys.

Ask to see the actual certificate, not just a verbal assurance. Check the policy is current and covers the type of work you need. If an uninsured operator damages your property or injures someone on your land, you could be liable.

At Gem Tree Management, we carry public liability cover and full employer's liability insurance.

2. What Qualifications Do You Hold?

Tree surgery requires specific, verifiable qualifications. At minimum, look for:

NPTC/City & Guilds chainsaw certificates — CS30 (maintenance), CS31 (cross-cutting), CS38 (climbing and aerial rescue), CS39 (chainsaw from rope and harness)
NVQ Level 2 or 3 in arboriculture or forestry
First aid at work certification

For advisory work like tree surveys or TPO applications, check for higher qualifications such as a diploma or degree in arboriculture. Read our guide on tree surgeons vs arborists for more on qualifications.

3. Are You a Member of a Professional Body?

Membership of a recognised trade body indicates a commitment to professional standards. Look for:

Arboricultural Association (AA) — the leading UK professional body. Approved Contractor status is the gold standard.
International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) — international professional body with certified arborist credentials.
Trading Standards approved — schemes like Checkatrade, TrustMark, or local authority approved trader schemes.

These bodies require members to meet qualification standards, carry insurance, and follow codes of practice.

4. Will You Provide a Written Quote?

A professional tree surgeon will visit the site, assess the work needed, and provide a detailed written quote. Be wary of anyone who:

Quotes over the phone without seeing the trees
Provides only a verbal estimate
Knocks on your door unsolicited offering to "do your trees cheap"
Pressures you for an immediate decision

A good quote should specify: what work will be done (with measurements where relevant), what's included (waste removal, stump grinding), the total cost, and any conditions or caveats.

5. Will You Check for TPOs and Conservation Areas?

Before any tree work begins, the contractor should check whether the trees are protected by a Tree Preservation Order or sit within a conservation area. Failure to check puts both you and the contractor at risk of prosecution and fines up to £20,000. Read our complete TPO guide for details.

A professional outfit checks this as standard. At Gem Tree Management, TPO and conservation area checks are part of every quote we provide.

6. What Will Happen to the Waste?

Clarify what happens to all the material produced by the work:

Is waste removal included in the price, or is it an extra charge?
Do they hold a waste carrier's licence? It is a legal requirement to hold one to transport waste. Ask for the licence number — you can verify it on the Environment Agency website.
Will timber be chipped on site or removed whole?
Can you keep any logs for firewood?

Some operators quote low then charge hundreds extra for waste removal. Others dump green waste illegally, which can result in fines for the property owner if traced back. Our quotes always include full waste removal, and we hold a current waste carrier's licence.

7. Can You Provide References or Reviews?

Established tree surgeons should have a track record you can verify:

Google reviews — the most widely trusted platform
Checkatrade or Bark reviews — verified review platforms
Before and after photos of previous work
Client references — ask for contact details of recent customers who can vouch for their work

Be cautious of companies with no online presence, no reviews, or only reviews from the last few weeks.

8. How Will You Do the Work Safely?

Tree surgery is one of the most dangerous professions in the UK. Ask about their safety approach:

Do they carry out a risk assessment before starting work?
What personal protective equipment (PPE) do they use?
How do they handle working at height — climbing with ropes and harnesses, or using a mobile elevated work platform (MEWP)?
Do they have an emergency rescue plan if a climber is injured at height?
Will they use traffic management if work is near a road?

A professional response to these questions demonstrates competence. Evasive or dismissive answers are a red flag.

9. What Experience Do You Have With This Type of Work?

Tree surgery covers a wide range of work. Make sure the contractor has specific experience with what you need:

Large tree removals near buildings require different skills from trimming a garden hedge
Work on protected trees requires knowledge of the planning system
Emergency storm damage requires rapid response capability and equipment
Stump grinding requires specialist machinery

Ask how long they've been trading and how many similar jobs they've completed. At Gem Tree Management, we've been operating since 2003 with a team of 10 qualified tree surgeons.

10. When Can You Start, and How Long Will It Take?

A professional contractor will give you a realistic timeline:

Lead time — how far in advance do they need to book? Very short lead times can indicate a lack of work (which may reflect quality issues). Extremely long lead times may not suit your needs.
Duration — how long will the job take? This helps you plan access and manage expectations with neighbours.
TPO timeline — if an application is needed, factor in 6–8 weeks for council approval before work can begin.

Be wary of anyone who wants to start immediately, today, for cash. This is the hallmark of rogue operators who move quickly before you can check their credentials.

Red Flags to Watch For

Avoid any tree surgeon who:

Knocks on your door offering unsolicited work — legitimate companies don't cold-call at your door
Demands cash payment upfront or won't provide a receipt
Can't show insurance certificates or qualifications
Doesn't provide a written quote with clear specifications
Suggests topping trees — topping (cutting the main trunk or branches to stubs) is harmful, ugly, and no reputable arborist recommends it
Offers a price that's dramatically lower than other quotes — they're likely cutting corners on insurance, waste disposal, or qualifications
Can't name their insurance provider or give a policy number

What Good Looks Like

A professional tree surgery company will:

Visit the site and provide a clear, written quote
Show insurance certificates and qualifications without hesitation
Check TPO status and conservation area boundaries before work begins
Specify the work in detail using correct arboricultural terminology
Include waste removal in the price
Provide a realistic timeline
Have verifiable reviews and a professional online presence
Leave the site clean and tidy after the work

Gem Tree Management — Trusted Across Hertfordshire Since 2003

We tick every box on this list. Our team of 10 qualified tree surgeons and arborists provides professional tree surgery and arboricultural services across Watford, St Albans, Hemel Hempstead, Barnet, Rickmansworth, and throughout Hertfordshire and surrounding areas.

public liability insurance
Fully qualified team with NPTC and NVQ certifications
Free, written quotes with no obligation
TPO checks and applications handled at no extra charge
Established since 2003 with hundreds of verified reviews

Call 0208 2061 073 or get your free quote.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check if a tree surgeon is qualified?

Ask to see their NPTC/City & Guilds certificates for chainsaw use, climbing, and aerial rescue. Check for NVQ Level 2 or 3 in arboriculture. Verify membership of the Arboricultural Association or ISA. Legitimate professionals are happy to show credentials.

Should I get multiple quotes for tree work?

Yes. We recommend getting at least three quotes from different companies. This gives you a sense of the fair market rate and lets you compare professionalism, specifications, and what's included. Don't automatically choose the cheapest — read our price guide for typical costs.

What insurance should a tree surgeon have?

At minimum, public liability insurance (£5m+) and employer's liability insurance if they have staff. Ask to see the certificate and check it's current. Professional indemnity insurance is important if they're providing survey or advisory services.

Is tree surgery a regulated profession in the UK?

No. There is no legal requirement to hold qualifications or a licence to carry out tree work in the UK. This is why it's so important to check credentials yourself. Membership of the Arboricultural Association's Approved Contractor scheme is the closest thing to regulation.

What should a tree surgery quote include?

A thorough quote should specify: the trees involved (identified by species and location), the work proposed (with measurements), whether waste removal is included, the total price, payment terms, estimated duration, and any conditions such as TPO applications or access requirements.

How do I report a rogue tree surgeon?

Contact your local council's trading standards department or report to Action Fraud (0300 123 2040). If protected trees have been damaged, report to the council's planning enforcement team. Keep any paperwork, photos, and correspondence as evidence.