Standing out with Accreditation in Tree Care Services

Tree Surgeon David Myers is extremely proud of his company’s status as the only privately owned Arboricultural Association Approved Contractor in Manchester and Cheshire.

There is no shortage of companies, both large and small, offering tree felling, pruning and associated tree care services. So how can you differentiate between a so-called tree care professional and a genuine tree care expert?

This is a statement from the Health and Safety Executive:

“Clients engaging contractors to undertake tree work need to carefully check they have the necessary skill and competence. Tree work is hazardous; to be done safely it requires properly trained and experienced people…. The Arboricultural Association can and will supply details of approved contractors and related information to help you choose a competent and reliable tree work contractor”

By choosing a tree care specialist from the Arboricultural Association’s web site you have the peace of mind that every contractor listed has passed the rigorous assessments set out by the Association to ensure that they comply with all relevant health and safety law and that their knowledge of tree care operations is up to date. Assessments have to be undertaken on a regular basis, to maintain a contractor’s approved status.

All home / landowners have a responsibility and duty of care, to engage competent people to work on their property and if, in the worst case scenario, things were to go wrong, then the client could be held directly responsible for the contractor’s actions.

The AA Accreditation is the seal of approval that confirms complete compliance and professionalism

A company that has approved contractor status will display the AA logo of the association. This is the seal of approval that confirms complete compliance and professionalism. In the UK this status is highly respected and contractors are extremely proud when they have ‘made the grade’ and have earned this recognition for their contribution to professional tree care. No other companies can use the AA approved contractor logo unless they are registered consultants of the AA.

The AA requires that their approved contractors hold insurances that are relevant to the work they undertake and carry at least 5 million pounds public liability insurance. They also request Professional indemnity (PI) insurance that covers advice that is given; many non-approved contractors do not have PI cover.

Tips for looking for the right Tree Care / Tree Surgeon Company

There are good tree work contractors out there who, for whatever reason, have not got AA approved status. If you choose to employ a contractor who is not approved then the following points may help you to avoid disappointment and potentially irreversible damage to your trees.

  • Are they adequately insured? Ask for written proof.
  • Do they have examples of work and genuine references?
  • Are they providing a full written quotation for the works?
  • Are they to undertake all application paperwork that may be required?
  • Are they polite, professional reliable etc?
  • Beware of those that display an array of irrelevant logos on their stationery, vehicles and web sites. This can be very misleading and give a false sense of authenticity.