Anyone can print a van sign and call themselves a tree surgeon. Tree work is dangerous, highly skilled and — importantly — not directly regulated, so the quality of your contractor depends entirely on the checks you make before work starts. Whether you need tree felling and removal, pruning or an emergency call-out, this checklist shows what to ask and what a good answer looks like.
Why Choosing Carefully Matters
Poor tree work can injure people, damage property, harm the tree and, where a tree is protected, lead to prosecution of both the contractor and the tree owner. Councils and the Arboricultural Association consistently stress the same point: a good tree surgeon has spent years training and gaining experience, and an advert is not proof of competence.
The 9 Questions to Ask
1. Can I see your insurance certificates?
A reputable contractor will happily show you copies. You want public liability insurance, and employers’ liability if they have employees. The Arboricultural Association recommends a minimum of £5 million public liability cover; some local councils cite £2 million as a baseline, rising to £5 million for higher-risk work. If a contractor can’t produce paperwork, walk away.
2. What qualifications do you and your crew hold?
Anyone using a chainsaw or climbing trees should hold recognised certificates of competence, typically City & Guilds (formerly NPTC) or LANTRA awards covering chainsaw use, felling and climbing. Ask to see the certificate or ID card. Higher qualifications — a national certificate, diploma or degree in arboriculture — aren’t essential but show knowledge beyond the practical.
3. Do you work to British Standard 3998?
BS 3998:2010 ‘Tree work – Recommendations’ is the recognised standard for how tree work should be carried out. The answer should be a simple yes. If the contractor hasn’t heard of it, that’s a red flag.
4. Are you on the ARB Approved Contractor register?
The Arboricultural Association’s ARB Approved Contractor scheme independently assesses and regularly reassesses tree companies. Be aware that some firms falsely claim approval — the Association’s guidance is clear that if a company doesn’t appear on the online register, it isn’t approved. Not every competent tree surgeon is on the scheme, but anyone claiming to be should be easy to verify by postcode or company name.
5. Will you give me a written quote?
Get at least two written quotes and remember the lowest isn’t automatically the best. A proper quote spells out the work, whether waste removal and stump grinding are included, whether VAT applies, and how any council paperwork will be handled. See our tree surgery cost guide for realistic Chester price ranges to compare against.
6. Have you checked whether my tree is protected?
Before any cutting, your tree surgeon should check for a Tree Preservation Order or conservation area status. Unauthorised work on a protected tree is a criminal offence, and responsibility can fall on you as well as the contractor. Our guide to Tree Preservation Orders in Chester explains how to check.
7. How will you carry out the job safely?
Ask whether a risk assessment has been done and how many people will be on site. No contractor should be working alone where tree climbing is involved. A professional crew will talk you through the plan, including how branches will be lowered and how your property will be protected.
8. Can you provide references or examples of similar work?
Recent customer reviews, photos of completed jobs and references from comparable work all help. Check that reviews are recent and on independent platforms.
9. What happens to the waste and the stump?
Confirm whether timber and green waste are removed or left, and whether stump grinding is included. Waste should be handled by licensed carriers — fly-tipped waste can be traced back to the landowner.
Quick-Reference Checklist
| Check | What a good answer looks like |
|---|---|
| Insurance | Public liability (recommended £5m) plus employers’ liability, with certificates shown |
| Qualifications | City & Guilds/NPTC or LANTRA certificates for chainsaw and climbing work |
| Standards | Works to BS 3998:2010 Tree work – Recommendations |
| Membership / approval | Verifiable on the Arboricultural Association register if they claim ARB Approved status |
| Quote | Written, itemised, includes waste, stump and VAT position |
| Legal checks | TPO and conservation area status confirmed before work |
| Safety | Risk assessment, team of at least two for climbing work |
Red Flags to Walk Away From
- Cold callers offering ‘we’re working nearby’ discounts
- Pressure to start immediately or pay cash upfront
- No insurance paperwork, or reluctance to show it
- Claims of being ‘council approved’ — councils generally cannot approve contractors, so ask them to explain what this means
- Recommending topping or severe cutting back without explaining why
- A vague, verbal-only quote
Do You Need an Arboricultural Consultant Instead?
If you need a written report, a technical opinion or a survey for a planning application, an arboricultural consultant is the right professional rather than a contracting crew — the Arboricultural Association and the Institute of Chartered Foresters both keep directories of registered consultants. See our guide to tree surveys for planning permission.
Further Reading and Authoritative Sources
For independent, up-to-date guidance, these organisations are worth bookmarking:
- Arboricultural Association — Choosing your arborist — official guidance and the ARB Approved Contractor directory
- Arboricultural Association — professional body for UK arboriculture
- Woodland Trust — UK’s largest woodland conservation charity
FAQs
Is tree surgery regulated in the UK?
Tree work is not directly regulated, which is why checking insurance, qualifications and standards yourself is so important.
How much public liability insurance should a tree surgeon have?
The Arboricultural Association recommends at least £5 million; some councils quote £2 million as a minimum baseline. Always ask to see the certificate.
Should I use the cheapest quote?
Not automatically. The lowest quote may exclude waste removal, cut corners on safety or come from an uninsured operator. Compare like-for-like scope.
Can my neighbour’s friend cut down my tree?
Only if they are qualified, insured and aware of any TPO or conservation area restrictions. Hiring an uninsured amateur raises the risk of injury, property damage and legal liability.
Want a clear, written quote from a Chester tree surgeon who’s happy to answer all of these questions? Get in touch: Contact Us
