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Is my tree surgeon charging too much?
It’s possible, but not usually because the tree surgeon is trying to cheat you. The cost of pruning a tree depends not just on the size of tree and scope of work, but on how difficult the tree is to access, what extra equipment might be needed, or the extra staff needed by roads or on other awkward sites. However, tree surgeons who are busy will often over-quote (add on 30% say) because they don’t really need the work. For this reason you should always get three quotes before choosing a contractor. If you have questions over whether the work is really necessary we can help. Get a quote check now 🡆
Should I allow this tree surgeon who knocked on my door to do work to my trees?
No. Reputable tree surgeons usually get their work by personal reference, or sometimes advertising. Most of those who knock on doors do poor quality work, often overcharge, and will do work illegally without getting necessary permission. You should always get multiple quotes for tree work.
My insurance report says a tree is too close to the house. Should I cut it down?
Probably not. Insurance assessors are overcautious and see all trees near houses as a problem, when in reality most trees near houses do not cause subsidence. We can help you assess whether or not there’s a genuine risk. Get document review now 🡆
There’s a crack in my house, I seem to have subsidence, what do I do?
The right thing to do formally is to speak to your house insurance company. However you need to be aware that once they have taken it on as a case, you will lose control of how they respond to the problem. If they decide the subsidence is due to trees, they may decide to chop down every tree within 20 metres of the house and you will need to comply if you want to keep being insured. It’s important to know that cracks in houses are usually an aesthetic issue, and can affect resale price, but houses don’t fall down due to tree-related subsidence. Your house will probably go on another hundred years with the crack there. Home owners can and do decide to ignore cracks with no ill effects.
Is my subsidence caused by trees?
Maybe, but it’s important to know there are other causes of subsidence too. These include: foundations being built in two different types of soil, infill below the house settling, climbers on the wall of the house, underground streams, or vibration from nearby main roads. The main signs it may be due to trees are: the trees are near the house, it gets worse in summer, and you have a clay soil type. Full assessments to prove subsidence is caused by trees are expensive, and the best people to carry them out are your insurance company. If you’d like help with an initial assessment, please do get in touch. Get email advice now 🡆
Why is the council cutting down trees on my road?
Trees on average last about 100 years in difficult urban environments. As they get older they often become unsafe. This means on average the council will need to fell around 1% of their trees every year, which may amount to some hundreds in large boroughs or counties. Hopefully they are planting new trees. However councils can sometimes get a little too casual about removing trees, or have reasons that can be challenged in specific cases. Please do get in touch if you’d like help with working out when this is the case. Get support dealing with tree professionals now 🡆
Does my council hate trees?
Probably not, but the importance they attach to trees can depend on their budget priorities and how much time your local tree officer has. Sometimes the council also makes mistakes and finds it difficult to back down. You’re in the right place to check that what your council is saying makes sense.
Why won’t the council let me prune or cut down my tree?
The tree protection system does mean that sometimes the benefit of a tree to the public is considered to outweight the inconveniences to the owner. I can’t change the nature of the system, but sometimes councils do place unreasonable burdens on tree owners. I can help you wording your emails or appeals to the council in the language they will understand.
Can I prevent the development next to me harming trees?
Councils should consult tree officers over the level of harm to trees involved in any building development. However some councils don’t have the resources for this, and even when they do, the planning officers may consider that other benefits of the development outweigh the harm done to trees. I can help you make the arguments to defend trees on development sites. Get support dealing with tree professionals now 🡆
