Below are some questions you may have about aboriculture and looking after your trees. To see the answers to these questions please click on the question. What are my responsibilities as a tree owner? If a tree is growing within the boundary of your property, you, as the owner have a responsibility to ensure it is maintained and is in a safe state. As a tree owner you have a responsibility that your tree does not cause damage or injury to others. In law this is dealt with under Common Law Duty - the duty of care. What is a Tree Preservation Order? It is an order made by the Council which in general makes it an offence to cut down, top, lop, uproot, wilfully damage or wilfully destroy a tree without the planning authority's permission. What is a Conservation Area? A conservation area is "an area of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance". (Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990). Effectively all trees are protected within this area and the council require notification to carry out any tree work. My Neighbour's tree overhangs my property. What are my rights? 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 appose to cutting back just the offending branch(es) unbalancing the tree. 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 often potentially dangerous. I'm having problems with leaves falling from a neighbour's trees? Leaf fall is a natural occurrence and no responsibility attributes itself to the trees owners. What are the benefits of having trees in my garden? Trees provide many benefits including providing shade, screening and security. They assist in reducing noise pollution and air pollution. Trees are also homes to all manner of birds, insects and wildlife. People are happier in areas with more trees. My neighbour's trees cast large amounts of shade over my garden. Do I have a "right to light?" 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. Can I get a quotation from you over the phone? It is possible but unadvisable as every tree, stump and garden is different and has its own special features. Our pricing policy is based on a number of factors including the tree species, its location, its condition and in the most common instance, where the tree is situated in a rear garden, the access must be considered for the removal and disposal of the resulting debris. We also have to take into consideration any garden features which are in close proximity to the tree, such as sheds, greenhouses and fences, as it may be necessary to set up a rigging system to ensure there is no damage to these during the operation. I'm thinking of having some work done on my trees, but I am concerned about health and safety? Artemis Tree Services have an impeccable safety record. Our operational teams of tree surgeons, climbers and ground staff have all undergone industry recognized 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. I appreciate that accidents can happen. What if my property gets damaged as a result of the tree work you are undertaking? Artemis Tree Services has an impeccable safety record, and the methods and techniques we employ are designed to minimalise the risk of accidents happening. In the unlikely event of damage occurring to any of your property, rest assured that we are fully insured for public and personal liability to the tune of 5 and 10 million pounds respectively. I have received an estimate but do not understand the terminology? We will always find the time to discuss everything thoroughly with you. Our policy is to provide consultation with you, at the site of the tree(s) in question and advise you on any tree work that is recommended. The quotation we will provide you with will be based purely on our discussions during our site visit. We always ensure you understand the process and the results we aim to achieve without clouding the issue with industry jargon and terminology. Our section on "Services" will assist you in understanding some of the more general terms that you may come across. I am concerned about the environment and want to know more about what happens to my tree waste? Artemis Tree Services are 100% committed to caring for trees and ultimately the environment in general, and consequently all of the waste produced by our work is 100% recycled as bio-fuel at Slough Power Station or compost for our tree planting schemes. However we do get enquires about supplying logs for burning in open fireplaces, using as features in the garden or even sculpting and woodchip mulch for weed suppressing and for decorative borders. Please feel free to let us know if you wish to keep logs or woodchip. When is the best time to prune fruit trees? The best time to prune fruit trees is during their dormant season. Between November and late February is the ideal time as this will give enough time for recovery from the pruning before buds begin to swell in early spring. Regular pruning insures the tree is clear of dead wood and crossing branches, especially within the centre of the crown allowing air to circulate more freely and protect the tree from disease. I have evergreen trees in my garden. They all seem to have brown leaves within the crown, are they diseased or dying? Due to the density of most coniferous trees, it is quite normal for internal branches and leaves to die back. This is due to the lack of light penetrating through the dense crown of the tree. Although if brown leaves begin to appear on the outside and tips of the branches there may be a problem. If this is the case we will be able to inspect the tree and provide you with the best advice as to the trees health.
