Frequently Asked Questions
1. When should I have my trees pruned?
Most trees can be pruned at any time during the year, some species should only be pruned during the summer, others need to be attended to soon after flowering. We will be able to advise you on the specifics of your situation during our initial consultation.
2. What are TPOs and CONs?
Tree Preservation Orders (TPO) cover individual trees and require an application to be approved by the local authority before work can commence. We can provide a TPO checking service on your behalf and will not proceed with any tree works until the checks are complete. If your trees are in a Conservation Area (CON) a six week notice of intent must be completed before any work can proceed. If like most, you find the process of applying for permission for works with the council a bit much, we can do that for you too.
3. Can I get a quote for my tree work by phone or e-mail?
Due to the nature of tree surgery it is impossible to give a quote without assessing the site specifics and a site visit will be necessary for this. We can usually make an appointment to visit you at a time of your choosing within 24 hours. Our quoting service is free and with no obligation. After assessing the work to be done we will provide you a quotation sent by post or email within the same day. This will include all work requested in detail, the waste clearance agreement, our leave site tidy policy along with details of our insurance and our agreed price.
4. How soon can the job be done?
Our lead times are excellent. More often than not we can commence works within 2 weeks, unless there are conservation or TPO restrictions in place. If you have any queries please call and we will do our best to arrange a date to suit you.
5. What about insurance and health and safety?
We are fully insured to £5 million public liability for all the works carried out and we adhere to strict health and safety measures throughout the process. We risk assess all jobs before commencing and have chapter 8 (signing and guarding) qualification for roadside tree works.
6. Will you leave a mess or damage my property
ACME ARB Ltd pride ourselves on our sensitivity to our environment and do everything possible to minimise the impact we have on the working area. All waste will be removed and the utmost care will be taken over plants, obstacles and your neighbours.
7. When is nesting season and how can it affect the work?
Nesting season is between March and August inclusive. If your booking date coincides with nesting season and we encounter active nests during the programmed works, in accordance with the wildlife and countryside act 1981 we will not be able to proceed (unless it is unsafe to stop works). We reserve the right to charge a nominal fee to cover lost time. We will take all reasonable measures to minimise extra charges; for example an assessment from ground level can be carried out during initial tree assessment (during quote stage) and an aerial inspection of the tree will generally be carried out prior to any cutting.
8. What is an ARB Approved contractor?
Nearly 40 years ago the AA established its Approved Contractor scheme to set the standard for tree work – an industry not regulated by government but one that cares for the largest living organisms on the planet in some of the most hostile growing environments.
In 2012 the scheme attained ISO 9001 (UKAS) accreditation in recognition of its quality management systems and is now a registered member of SSIP (Safety Schemes in Procurement forum, the ‘umbrella’ organisation for recognised health & safety schemes in the UK.) This brings further acceptance and credibility to its scheme members as the national standard for arboricultural contracting businesses.
The ARB Approved Contractor scheme offers a recognised benchmark for arboricultural contracting throughout the UK and Ireland and is increasingly required by Local Authorities and other large commercial organisations. ARB Approved Contractor is also of benefit in the domestic sector as a quality mark assuring the client of good quality tree care undertaken safely and efficiently.
9. What is an ISA Certified Arborist?
To earn an ISA Certified Arborist® credential, you must be trained and knowledgeable in all aspects of arboriculture. ISA Certified Arborist® have met all requirements to be eligible for the exam, which includes three or more years of full-time, eligible, practical work experience in arboriculture and/or a degree in the field of arboriculture, horticulture, landscape architecture, or forestry from a regionally accredited educational institute. This certification covers a large number of topics giving the candidates flexibility in the arboricultural profession. A code of ethics for ISA Certified Arborists® strengthens the credibility and reliability of the work force. This certification is accredited by the American National Standards Institute, meeting and exceeding ISO 17024. We require all of our employed staff to hold this accreditation or if they do not already have it then they must work towards it.
10. Bat awareness.
Our team successfully completed their training in “Bats and Arboriculture”.
We are up to date with the current legislation on bat protection and the legal consequences of interfering with bats and their habitat, which is very often within tiny cracks in trees.
We are also able to identify bat roosts using endoscopes and know when to seek help or gain a bat licence and when public safety considerations are a priority.
We are able to provide assistance and are able to offer informed specialist advice and a professional service to our clients. If you have concerns about bats within your trees and would like further advice or information please get in touch
If you want to talk to us about your trees, then please call now: