Does anyone local to Clanfield/Waterlooville/Petersfield have a trusted Tree Surgeon or Arborist they could recommend? Despite doing nearly everything myself I’ve never been happy working at height from ladders with a chainsaw, so these days I only do what I can from the ground with my own chainsaw. The guy I’ve had look after the mature trees in our back garden retired a few years ago having told me I need to keep an eye on the gorgeous 40ft+ Old Maple we have as it might become unstable soon. He always respected our philosophy of doing the bare minimum to the trees to keep them healthy and safe, enjoying their natural beauty rather than trim and shape them unnecessarily. I’ve had two companies come and look. One who could do the work a few days later and obviously doesn’t have a lot of work on said the Maple needed to be taken right out and wanted @£5k to do it. The other said it just needed a light trim high up and would be OK for a number of years, but couldn’t fit it in for a few weeks, so is busy. It’s old, probably @100yrs, and reaching the end of it’s life I expect, but I don’t want it taken out whilst there is still time for us and the wildlife to enjoy it. Unfortunately if it comes down of it’s own accord it could do some real damage to neighbours properties, so I can’t just leave it. So I need the opinion of somebody who cares more about the tree than their own bank balance or workload. .
Surely you've got that from arborist number 2? Just get it booked in. At this time of year, a decent arborist who isn't busy isn't a decent arborist...
Thanks Rushjob, you've obviously not had a lot to do with Roofers and property maintenance companies. I've no history on the second company and it looks like the classic roofers ploy. Tell the customer you think they can get away with a minor repair and quote far less than you know anyone reputable will. Keep the customer waiting until they are impatient/desperate to have it done, then on the day tell them now you've started it's a much bigger job and will cost £XXXXX. But luckily you can move some other work around and still do it today.
Is it possible to get in contact with your retired tree surgeon and ask him to come and advise you on what needs doing to the tree, pay him for his time obviously and then instruct someone else to do the work he has advised needs doing. That way you know the work being done is correct from someone you trust.
No. No experience, I mean, what would I know as I just spent my time working in property and garden maintenance for around 6 years and worked with quite a few decent arborists and sold my last house to one…… Anyway, you do you and good luck with the tree.
It may be a long shot but you could try Brinsbury college They may have contacts at their arboricultural courses.
I’d use Arborist number 2, I’ve not had any problem with tradesmen pulling a fast one. I would believe that if he can’t fit you in for few weeks means he’s busy enough and has confirmed what your previous arborist had stated. No alarm bells for me, the first though that’s a different story….
Thanks DS. But the 2nd guy has completely contradicted the first, not confirmed what he said. First company wants to completely remove the tree because they say it's dangerous, the second says it's fine and just needs a minor tidy up. I've got a lead now on somebody who will come and do a survey on the tree for a small fee with no interest in work arising from it. I know I'm being way 'over the top' about this, but I'm truly passionate about saving any of the trees around us that I can as so many have been ripped out by developers recently, and it's such a beautiful thing that we are truly blessed to have at the bottom of our garden. So I will save it if I can.
Tricky time of year. Any decent arborists won’t hack away at trees during the current nest building frenzy. And once the eggs are laid, it’s a big no no… Unless they’re crows… the savage fuckers….
We have had good service from the Tree Protection Officer from our local Council.At no cost to us he has come out on two occassions to inspect and advise us on our trees.
Apologies Nasher, I meant the previous arborist you used, not the first quote who wanted 5k. I completely understand your viewpoint we have trees quite a few and were loath to have any of them cut down despite demands from neighbours that they’re a nuisance to them. Mrs is a keen gardener, I’m just in the garden to make it look prettier and do a little heavy lifting.
