When you need tree work done across Petersfield, Alton, Liphook, or the surrounding East Hampshire countryside, choosing the right team matters. Tree work sits in an odd legal spot: technically, anyone can buy a chainsaw and call themselves a tree surgeon. But at East Hants Arborists, we know that true professionalism comes down to recognised City & Guilds/NPTC qualifications, robust insurance, and working strictly to British Standards (BS3998).
The reality of tree care, whether it’s climbing, complex rigging, or felling near homes and power lines, is genuinely high-risk. Getting it wrong can lead to costly property damage, compromised tree health, or issues with local Council Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs).
Whether you need routine pruning, a complete removal, or emergency storm response, this guide covers what “qualified” really means, how to check credentials, the red flags to avoid, and what you should expect from a reputable local tree surgeon before work begins.
Why tree care matters more than most home improvement jobs
Tree surgery is consistently one of the most dangerous trades in the country, so safety has to come first, and the Health and Safety Executive stresses the need for skilled tree workers during tree work operations, even when a job looks small.
A badly assessed felling can bring a tree down on a house, a car, or a person; a poorly rigged dismantle can drop a limb through a greenhouse roof or a neighbour’s fence; and a cut tree covered by a Tree Preservation Order without permission can land the homeowner – not just the contractor – with a fine. None of this is meant to scare you off getting necessary work done, but it’s exactly why “qualified” isn’t a box-ticking formality here.
What qualifications actually mean for professional tree surgeons
In UK arboriculture, a few credentials matter more than others:
NPTC / City & Guilds certificates – these are the industry-standard qualifications for specific skills like chainsaw use, aerial rescue, and climbing. A genuinely qualified tree surgeon should hold certificates relevant to the equipment and techniques they’re using, and should be happy to show them if asked.
Arboricultural Association membership – membership (particularly at Approved Contractor level) means a company has been independently assessed against a recognised standard of competence, insurance, and equipment, and clients can look for the AA ARB Approved Contractor logo as a quick sign of assurance.
Full public liability insurance – this is non-negotiable. Tree work near a house, a boundary, or a road carries real risk of accidental damage, and a contractor without adequate cover leaves the homeowner exposed if something goes wrong.
Some certified arborists may also display the ISA Certified Arborist logo, although current status should still be checked.
A tree surgeon happy to be asked about any of the above, and able to answer clearly, is a good sign in itself – hesitation or vague reassurance (“don’t worry, we’ve done loads of these”) is worth treating as a flag rather than a reassurance. In practice, competent arborists should also be able to explain how their work follows BS 3998:2010, which is a useful way to distinguish experienced arborists from vague claims.
Questions worth asking before you book anyone
A short conversation before work starts can save a lot of trouble later:
“Can I see proof of your public liability insurance?” – a legitimate company will have this ready to send, usually by email, without any pushback.
“Can you share recent customer references or examples of previous jobs?” – reliable firms should be able to show this, which gives clients a clearer sense of their standards before booking.
“What NPTC or equivalent certificates do your climbers hold?” – the specific certificates matter less than the fact they can answer confidently.
“Will you check for Tree Preservation Orders before starting?” – a properly qualified surgeon checks this as standard, since working on a protected tree without permission is a legal problem for the homeowner too, not just the contractor. Our guide on tree permissions in Hampshire explains what to check yourself in the meantime.
“What happens to the waste, and is that included in the price?” – a surprising number of cheap quotes exclude removal of arisings, turning an apparently good deal into an unexpected extra cost.
“Should I compare a few prices first?” – yes, obtain at least three quotes from tree surgeons before deciding.
Red flags worth taking seriously
A few patterns come up repeatedly with unqualified or uninsured operators: unusually low quotes with no written quotation, and no clear total price, including VAT if applicable; reluctance to provide insurance details or certificates; cash-only payment with no paperwork; pressure to agree on the spot rather than time to think it over; and vague answers about who’ll actually be doing the climbing. None of these guarantee a problem on their own, but two or three together are a reasonable reason to look elsewhere.
Cost vs risk: why the cheapest quote isn’t always the cheapest outcome
It’s tempting to go with whoever quotes the lowest price, especially for a job that looks straightforward from the ground. The problem is that an uninsured contractor doing genuinely risky work has no financial buffer if something goes wrong – a damaged fence, a cracked driveway, or worse, an injury, can leave the homeowner covering costs that would otherwise have been covered by the contractor’s insurance. A properly insured, qualified quote is rarely the cheapest on paper, but it’s the one that actually protects you if the job doesn’t go entirely to plan.
What to expect from an arb approved contractor visit
Professional tree surgeons won’t just turn up and start. Expect proper tree care, with a clear look at the tree and its surroundings, and a clear explanation of the reasons tree work is recommended and how it may affect tree health. Some choose to provide a written quote that separates the tree work from waste removal (and stump grinding if relevant) and confirms it will be carried out in line with proper arboricultural standards.
Experienced surgeons will also check for any TPO or conservation area restrictions before anything is confirmed. If any of that feels rushed or skipped entirely, it’s worth asking why before you commit.
How our fully insured team measures up
Every arborist on our team is a trained, competent professional, with relevant training and NPTC certification for the equipment and techniques they use, and we carry full public liability insurance as standard – not as an optional extra.
We check for Tree Preservation Orders and conservation area status before quoting any work, and we’re always upfront about what’s included in a price and what isn’t, with health and safety procedures and site safety procedures in mind, so there are no surprises once the job starts.
With over 15 years of experience across Hampshire and verified reviews, we’d rather earn the job on those terms than the lowest number on the page, while delivering the quality clients expect from our customer care.
Get a quote you can trust
If you’d like a straightforward, fully qualified assessment of a tree on your property, get in touch for a free, no obligation quote. We’ll tell you exactly what’s needed, what it’ll cost, and why – with the paperwork to back it up.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to check qualifications myself, or is that overkill for a small job? Even a “small” job – a single limb removal near a fence, say – involves real risk if done badly, so it’s worth a quick check regardless of job size.
Is a bigger company automatically more qualified than a sole trader? Not necessarily – company size says nothing about individual certification or insurance. Ask the specific questions above regardless of who you’re talking to.
What if a tree surgeon can’t show proof of insurance on request? Treat that as a decline, not a delay – a legitimate operator has this information readily available.