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A tree surgeon performing tree work.

What Does a Tree Surgeon Do, and When Should You Hire One?

  • September 23, 2023
Forbes Tree Care

Tree surgeons can perform any tree work operations, from crown reduction, crown lifting and dead wooding to tree removal or pollarding. Anyone who owns or manages land in which there are trees has a duty of care to ensure their trees are safe and don’t pose a danger to themselves or other land users. If you have a tree in your garden, it is probably worth seeking advice on its condition and whether it needs any tree care.

What is a Tree Surgeon?

A tree surgeon or “arboriculturist” is a trained specialist who can advise on and carry out pruning or tree felling using advanced specialist techniques.

What Does a Tree Surgeon Do?

Tree surgeons can perform a range of different tasks, including:

  • Crown reductions
  • Crown lifting
  • Tree pollarding
  • Dead wooding
  • Tree removal
  • Tree stump and root grinding
A good tree surgeon can advise you on what your tree requires based on health and safety, aesthetics and, most importantly, good arboricultural practice.

Check out the full range of services Forbes Tree Care offers here.

Crown reduction

Sometimes, a tree may have outgrown the space, be growing too near a building, or have a “defect, ” meaning it needs to be pruned to make it safer. Crown reduction reduces the overall size of the tree, shortening the branch lengths on the top and sides. Tree surgeons often use a rope and harness to climb the tree and use chainsaws to cut the branches. This requires specialist training, so the homeowner or layperson should not attempt it.

Crown lifting

Crown lifting entails removing some low branches on the tree. This technique is useful for letting more light into a garden, getting clearance from the pavement or road or improving the aesthetics of the tree.

Pollarding

Pollarding is the process of removing all of the leafy growth on a tree, leaving a framework of branches which produce new shoots. Pollarding is typically done on a cycle of 3-5 years. This technique is helpful to restrict root growth or let a lot more light into a garden.

Learn more about our tree pollarding services here.

Tree removal

Sometimes, a tree needs to be removed because it is in poor condition or is damaging a property. Tree removal should be done using a professional tree surgeon who has the relevant experience. There are often other methods that can be used to save the tree, for example, leaving a high stump which can be left to regrow.

Learn more about our tree felling services here.

Signs You Should Hire a Tree Surgeon

It’s not always obvious to a tree owner when they should hire a tree surgeon. Some of the reasons for hiring a tree surgeon are:

  • You have a dying or dead tree (indicated by brown or no leaves)
  • You have a diseased tree (indicated by exudations from the bark, fungus growing from the tree or cracks in the tree)
  • The tree has outgrown the space and needs to be pruned or made smaller
  • You have a tree that overhangs a public space, and you are concerned about it’s safety

Should I Perform DIY Tree Surgery?

The short answer is no. Tree surgery should always be carried out by a trained professional with the correct level of public liability insurance. Tree surgery is a dangerous operation and, if done incorrectly, can cause serious injury or damage to property.

Benefits of Hiring a Professional Tree Surgeon

A professional tree surgeon will be properly insured and correctly trained in all aspects of tree surgery necessary to perform tree work operations. They can also inspect your tree and advise an appropriate course of action. The consequences of hiring a tree surgeon that is not appropriately insured or trained could be serious. Potential damage to property or serious injury are the two obvious reasons to hire a professional.

Appropriate public liability insurance

Tree surgeons or “arboriculturists” need appropriate public liability insurance. It takes years of training to be qualified as a professional tree surgeon, and any reputable company should be able to show you their insurance certificate. The consequences of it going wrong are huge.

Serious injury

Tree surgery is a dangerous business. Tree surgeons use chainsaws, which can potentially cause serious injury to themselves or others. It’s crucial the tree surgeon you use has the relevant NPTC or Lantra qualifications required to do the job. This will ensure they use best practice and reduce the chance of injury.

How To Hire a Reputable Tree Surgeon?

It can be hard to know whether the company you are using is experienced and reputable. Some things to look out for are:

  • Good reviews on the internet
  • A good website (including photos of the staff so you know who you’re hiring)
  • A member of the Arboricultural Association
  • Appropriate insurance and NPTC or Lantra training

Forbes Tree Care - Trusted Tree Surgeons in North London

Forbes Tree Care are the top tree surgeon specialists in North London. Operating since 2010, Forbes Tree Care has a committed, experienced staff group who really care about trees. Forbes Tree Care offers free, no-obligation quotes, professional advice and quality customer service. Sustainability is at the heart of everything Forbes Tree Care does and, where possible, we retain and maintain trees for the future. Check out our online reviews and visit forbestreecare.com for more information.

Learn More About Tree Maintenance

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Get a Free Quote

If you’re in need of professional tree surgery services, simply fill out the form below detailing your requirements and our friendly team will come back to you within 24 hours with an affordable quote for the work. We look forward to hearing from you.
Forbes Tree Care Ltd
6 Wentworth Gardens
London
N13 5SN
United Kingdom

07921 149 118
sean@forbestreecare.com

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Services

Tree Removal & Felling
Tree Survey & Reports
Tree Cutting & Pruning
Hedge Trimming
Stump & Root Removal
Ivy Removal
Commercial Tree Surgery
Tree Maintenance
Tree Planting
Emergency Tree Removal
Christmas Tree Removal
Tree Pollarding

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Crouch End
Muswell Hill
Islington
Highgate
Hampstead
Hackney
Southgate
Walthamstow
Barnet
Chingford
Finchley
Enfield
Golders Green

Forbes Tree Care Ltd, Company No: 09259356, VAT reg no: 233 8461 08.
Registered at 19 The Springs, Broxbourne EN10 6EW. Terms and conditions

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