PLEASE NOTE: We are absolutely blown away by the number of you lovely people that wish to book our services! Our current diary for new bookings is into early 2027.
Whilst this seems like an age away, and we will do our best to bring this forward, it is still a great time to get your garden looking fantastic.
Do I need a tree surgeon or a gardener?
When a gardener will do, and when you need a qualified, insured tree surgeon for work at height, chainsaws and large trees.
Updated 1 November 2026
Both gardeners and tree surgeons look after the plants in your garden, so it is easy to mix them up. They do different jobs, though, and getting the right one can make all the difference.
What a gardener is great at
A good gardener looks after the everyday: mowing, weeding, borders, planting, and keeping shrubs and small hedges tidy. If a job can be done safely from the ground, with hand tools or a hedge trimmer, a gardener is usually the right person.
When you need a tree surgeon
Call a tree surgeon when the job involves:
- Working at height. Climbing, ladders, ropes or a lifting platform.
- Chainsaws and large branches. Heavy wood can do a lot of damage, to people and to property.
- Trees close to buildings, roads, power lines or neighbours’ gardens.
- Taking a tree down in sections. This takes planning, the right kit and plenty of experience.
- Big hedges. Tall, wide or overgrown hedges often need a hedge reduction.
- Stumps. You need a stump grinder.
- A tree you are worried about. A tree surgeon can look at its health and structure and tell you what it needs.
- Protected trees. A tree surgeon can check for a TPO and handle the paperwork.
Why it matters
Tree work is dangerous. Cutting a branch the wrong way can hurt the tree as well as the person, and a mistake near a house can be costly.
A qualified tree surgeon has been trained to work safely and cut accurately. Mike has over 15 years’ experience, and we are BS 3998 (2010) NPTC City and Guilds certified. We also have public liability insurance of up to £5 million, which means you and your property are protected.
Signs it is time to call a tree surgeon
- Branches rubbing on the roof, gutters or windows.
- A tree that has dropped a large limb, or has dead wood in the crown.
- Fungus growing at the base of the trunk, or signs of rot.
- A tree that leans more than it used to.
- A hedge that is taller than you can reach safely.
None of these needs panic, but all are worth a proper look.
What to ask before you hire anyone
- Are you insured, and can I see the certificate?
- What qualifications do you hold?
- Will you visit and give me a written quote?
- Will you check whether my tree is protected?
- What will you do with the waste?
Working together
We are happy to work alongside your gardener. They keep everything neat day to day, and we deal with the big jobs.
If you aren’t sure which you need, ask us. We will tell you honestly.
Quick answers
Can my gardener cut down a tree for me?
Small trees and shrubs, perhaps. But anything big, or any work at height, should be done by a qualified, insured tree surgeon.
How do I know if a tree surgeon is qualified?
Ask to see their certificates and their insurance. We are BS 3998 (2010) NPTC City and Guilds certified and we can send a copy of our insurance certificate on request.