Check Your Essex Tree Surgeon is Qualified

What does it mean when a tree surgeon advertises NPTC qualified?

It should mean the company advertising this logo is fully qualified, but in reality it means they may have only one single certificate of competence which does not qualify them for very much at all. Customers really must do their due diligence and check that the tree company they employ holds the correct certificates of competence for the task being undertaken on their premises.

Failure to check your tree surgeon has the correct certificates will simply leave you, the customer, liable should the tree surgeon injure themselves or others, or damage property whilst engaged by you and working on your property.

What is the easiest way to check your tree surgeon is fully qualified?

For tree surgeons to gain the highest levels of competence certificates they must work from the beginning up. Checking your tree surgeon holds the highest levels of competence clearly indicates they must already hold all certificates leading up to the highest certified levels.

For example, City & Guilds NPTC CS301 is the certificate for medium and large tree felling. To achieve this certificate the tree surgeon would have already completed their CS30 chainsaw maintenance and cross cutting. They will also hold the CS31 small felling certificate of competence before being eligible to gain the higher certificate CS301.

All the above means if you need a tree to be felled, the tree surgeon holding medium and large felling CS301 is fully qualified and competent to do so for any tree.

Now that covers tree felling from the ground, so let’s talk about climbing into the tree, which is a whole different set of certificates.

If your tree needs to be climbed in order to remove it, you require a tree surgeon to hold the certificate CS309 aerial tree dismantling. This is the highest level aerial tree work certificate of competence. If your tree surgeon holds this then they have already achieved aerial tree rescue and operating a chainsaw from a rope and harness.

So by checking your tree surgeon holds CS309 and CS301 you can rest assured they are appropriately qualified.

What is important about refresher training ?

So now you understand that,  it is also important to check those certificates are no older than 5 years. It is now deemed industry best practice to refresh certificates of competence every 5 years to keep up with current legislation. Failure to refresh could be another reason (excuse) for the tree surgeon’s insurance company not to pay out in the event of a claim, again leaving you as the customer liable.

Why is it so important to check for NPTC certified tree surgeons?

The most important reason you need to know the competence of your tree surgeon is insurance. If you choose to use a cheap tree surgeon, chances are they will not be not fully qualified, or worse have no qualifications and will not be legally competent to perform tree surgery.

What does that really mean? Simply, that you could be liable for any accidents an unqualified or under qualified  tree surgeon has whilst working on your premises.

Don’t be caught out by an initial cheap price; time after time it has proven to be a false economy.

Professional tree surgeons spend tens of thousands of pounds getting qualified and having full insurance cover to protect their customers. Something a cheap option definitely wont be providing.

TH Tree Services qualifications

Company director Terry holds all legally required city & guilds NPTC certificates of competence up to CS301 (large tree felling- no limit) and CS309 (aerial tree dismantling-any species/size).

He also holds Lantra wood chipper and stump grinder certifications as well as being level 3 first aid trained.

Terry has been qualified since 2008 and regularly attends refreshers course to keep his skills current. He has over 15 years experience in tree surgery and 13 years running a tree surgery business.

TH Trees has become recognises as one of Essex and the south east’s highest liked, followed, rated and reviewed tree business. Trading continuously since 2005. 

T.H Tree Services offers competition-beating prices due to experience, qualifications and expertise. Call any time to discuss your requirements on 01268 642814.

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