How to Avoid Cowboy Tree Surgeons

A tree surgeon is a tree expert that specialises in the maintenance and care of all kinds of trees. They are trained experts who can prune, fell, and treat trees that require special care. Whether you have trees on your property or want to remove some, you’ll likely need the help of a trained tree surgeon.

However, there are some people who claim to be tree experts who end up ruining trees, damaging property or ripping people off for large sums of money. These people are considered ‘cowboy tree surgeons’ as they do not have the skills, qualifications or experience to be tree surgeons - yet they still claim to be.

If you need tree surgery services, it’s important to hire a professional tree expert and not a cowboy. Here’s how to spot the difference.

Ask questions

One of the first things you should do when speaking to a tree surgeon is to ask plenty of questions. You’ll need to establish whether or not you can trust the person selling you tree surgery services, so make sure to question their expertise.

Are you insured? Can I see proof of this either a hard copy or a version on your website?

First of all, every professional tree surgeon will have insurance to cover them while they work. If a trader can’t prove they are insured, it’s likely they don't have Public Liability Insurance to cover themselves or their employees. This means that if something goes wrong, you could be the one out of pocket.

What Qualifications do you have?

Ask what qualifications the surgeon has to determine what kind of training they have received.

What Professional Organisations are you registered with?

Most professional tree surgeons will be members of the A.F.A.G (Arboriculture and Forestry Advisory Group). So it is a telltale sign that they are to be trusted.

Can you show me some examples of your work or any testimonials?

Ask to see any previous work they have completed and any testimonials they have. If they are a local tree surgeon they may be able to put you in touch with a previous client so you can see the quality of their work.

Why shouldn’t you use a cowboy tree surgeon?

While it may be tempting to use the services of somebody who is offering a lower price, this can lead you into a difficult situation. Working as a tree surgeon can also be a dangerous job, so you want someone who is a trained professional.

For quality tree surgery services, get in touch with the team at Ace Tree Surgeons today.