Help & Advice

Over time we will add more help and advice to this page with facts and information on how to look after wood and the tools to manage it.

In the meantime, below is a small selection of FAQ's that I have gathered over the years.

FAQ's

When is the best time of year to work on my trees?

The best time of year to work on trees is in the winter months when they are dormant. Even evergreen trees growth will slow right down during the winter months. If you cut off the leaves in the summer months the tree will not be able to photosynthesise and lay down the food they need to survive the winter. You can lightly trim a tree during the summer, but pruning and major work should be done in the winter.

I've had three quotes, one of which is much cheaper than the others, is there a reason I shouldn't just go with the cheapest?

This is a common issue. A good Tree Surgeon will have adequate insurance, qualifications and regular equipment inspections carried out by an independent body. Often a cheaper quote will mean that the Tree Surgeon quoting does not have these things, and so I would advise always asking to see evidence of insurance, qualifications and equipment inspections before accepting a cheap quote. Tree Surgeons do not have to have any insurance or qualifications to operate, so if they do not have any, you need to weigh this up against the work you need doing (i.e. a small tree in the middle of a field is not going to be risky, but a big Ash tree over your garage and close to power lines increases the risk of potential damage and the need for a qualified and insured professional). Sometimes we just get it wrong when quoting, tree surgery is not an exact science and we might think a job appears to be less work than it actually is, so as long as everything else checks out, take the cheaper quote!

Is it cheaper if I keep all the wood and do all the clearing up?

Yes it is, but be aware that this is quite a big task and the amount of work involved can be greatly underestimated by those without experience.

Do you work weekends?

Yes if requested.

Do you sell firewood?

Yes, either in 3ft cord lengths where you have cut and split yourself (approx £60 per tonne), or ready seasoned and split to fire logs (approx £100 per tonne).

Do you charge to come and look at the job?

No, initial consultation is always free.