FAQs
At Naturally Trees we calculate costs for each job individually, taking into account all the relevant factors, to make sure we can offer you the best possible service for the most cost-effective price based on your specific needs. Our experienced team are skilled at seeing what is required and how best to achieve it with minimum fuss, mess and disturbance.
We are happy to offer free on-site visits to prepare quotations and provide advice with, of course, no obligation. We also try to ensure that any appointment is made to suit you and weekend appointments are certainly possible.
Trees should be regarded as real assets to our homes and gardens for a multitude of reasons, not least because they are so beautiful. However, occasionally they can cause problems to nearby structures such as subsidence and other forms of structural damage.
The proximity of trees is often taken into consideration when a house is insured or valued. This does not necessarily mean that a tree poses a threat, but unfortunately, trees are often blamed for any movement in a building. If you have a tree that is close to a building or its foundations, it is always advisable to contact a professional Arboricultural consultant to help you manage this risk and to manage the tree’s development both above and below ground.
It is a property owner’s responsibility to ensure the trees on his or her property are in a safe condition. Assessment of the diseases or defects affecting a tree is essential and should be done by qualified arboricultural consultants. Once a tree has been recognised as being dangerous, they can supply a written report recommending the necessary work and care for the tree. It is worth noting that insurance companies are increasingly refusing to pay out for damage caused by trees that have not had a recent survey. Policies should be checked to ascertain the exact requirements of the particular company.
Some common problems which indicate the possibility of a dangerous tree are cavities or decayed wood along the trunk or in major branches, fungus present at the base of the tree which reveal diseases, such as honey fungus.
Cracks in the trunk could weaken the tree and splits at the union where branches attach can cause them to drop without warning. If adjacent or nearby trees have fallen or are dead there may be a common cause which will subsequently affect healthy trees nearby. Other causes for concern are if the trunk of a tree develops a strong lean or visible roots are broken.
If any type of bird is nesting in a tree or hedge then it is legally protected, so long as the nest is in use. This may prohibit certain types of tree pruning or removal until the nesting season is over. Removing dense hedges or substantially reducing them would be illegal, but annual trimming may be acceptable.
Birds commonly nest between March and the end of July. If you want to avoid cutting down trees or hedges with nesting birds, The team at Naturally Trees will be able to advise you of the best time to undertake such work.
Many kinds of bats use trees to roost in, either for long or short periods of time. Bats are all protected and when carrying out works to a tree that is likely to contain bats, it may be necessary to survey it first. However if the tree work must be carried out in an emergency this may override protected species rules and we can advise you where required.
Yes, in the unlikely event of damage occurring, Naturally Trees Ltd are fully covered by £10M Public Liability, £10M Employers Liability, and £2M Professional Indemnity insurance.
There is no effective right to light or a view in English law. The prescriptions act does afford a right to light, however it is severely limited and using it in relation to trees is problematic and generally unsuccessful.
The law states that you are entitled to cut back branches from overhanging trees to the boundary line but does not allow you to trespass to achieve this. Common sense suggests the best course of action is to discuss the problem with the tree owner and come to an amicable agreement. It may be more beneficial for the tree to receive a crown lift or reduction as opposed to cutting back just the offending branch(es). It is recommended to carry out any tree works in accordance with good horticultural or arboricultural practice. Poor tree work can be counterproductive and is potentially dangerous.
Naturally Trees Ltd have an impeccable safety record we have been awarded SafeContractor membership for the past 5 years . Our operational teams of tree surgeons, and ground staff have all undergone industry recognised training and our Health and Safety policies are in place to be adhered to. We constantly review our policies ensuring our methods are up to date and our staff refreshed on safety procedures. A Risk Assessment and Method Statement is mandatory and always carried out before work commences.
To achieve the SafeContractor Approved status, a business must prove that they are a safe and responsible company. This involves ensuring that all paperwork is complaint with current legislation and that processes are in place to ensure health and safety is handled in the best way possible.
By using SafeContractor, you can be assured that the service supplier is committed to sustainable and ethical practices whilst demonstrating that they comply with the up-to-date health and safety standards.
In 2023 Naturally Trees Ltd became an Arb Approved Contractor, a scheme created by the Arboricultural Association. The criterion for this approval is demanding. The process took many months of dedication, policy writing, recorded risk assessment, recorded evidence for equipment, and machinery maintenance to prove compliance with health and safety regulations.