Domestic tree surgery and tree pruning

Dick Tomlinson has been a tree surgeon since 1976 and personally assesses every job. His wide knowledge and practical approach comes from a passion for his subject. Dick will advise you on any tree matter, from planting, formative pruning, cyclical maintenance, to disease control and safety, applying the latest knowledge about diseases and biomechanics.

Tomlinsons Tree Surgeons are approved by the Arboricultural Association. The approval process scrutinises our working practices and the care we extend to our customers. For example, we would never normally use spikes to climb, as this damages the tree. Some firms use them routinely, to make the job quicker.

Trees enhance or overbear our environment

Trees in the urban environment can interfere with space and light if pruning work is not timely. Tree management is often linked with legal and planning procedures. We will advise on tree issues when you are buying, selling a house or conducting building work, where troublesome trees or high hedges can affect property value and work schedules.

At your appointment we will assess: specification, access, permission and parking. We will check if your address is in a Conservation Area (CA) or if there are Tree Preservation Orders (TPO’s) in place. If so, work applications must be made to the Local Authority and we now file these electronically, shortening the lead time for you work.

We are looking for the balance between the future cost of tree liabilities and the cost of immediate work.

Our office is open between 9 and 5.30. Calls are answered in person and queries are normally handled within the working day. Our client care system will track your enquiry through from quote to project management and after-care service. If your trees need periodic attention we will contact you to arrange a review.

Conservation Areas

We will automatically check to see if you are in a Conservation Area before we carry out any work on your land and if it is necessary we will ensure we obtain the required permission. You need to give 6 weeks notice of works on trees in a Conservation Area and that includes any pruning. Trees are included when the trunk is 75mm or more in diameter at 1.5 metres above the ground.

Tree Preservation Orders

Trees with a Tree Preservation Order are specially selected for their beauty, prominence, history and value to the local area. The Local Authority has them numbered and marked them on a plan to protect them. If trees on your property have Preservation Orders it does not mean that you cannot do any work on them but you will need to obtain permission from the Local Authority before work can be carried out and this permission can take time to obtain. We will automatically check to see if your trees have Preservation Orders on them before any work is carried out and if they do, we will ensure we get the required permission.

Debris removal

Naturally, we will remove all debris caused by the work, (95% of which will be recycled) unless you wish us to leave it with you. Some people like to chop it into logs or use it to create a habitat in their garden for insects and wildlife.

Choosing a tree surgeon

Remember to look for a licence number and check that it is current with the Arboricultural Association. All approved contractors are listed on their web site. Tree surgery firms can be a member but ONLY those with a licence number have been thoroughly vetted. Firms advertising membership only are breaking AA code of conduct. Tree Surgeons should have recognised Arboriculture qualifications and the office should be staffed during normal working hours.