Pruning is the most common tree maintenance procedure. Pruning is often desirable, or necessary, to improve tree structure, limit nuisance or maintain safety. Bad or unnecessary pruning can do more harm than good, since each cut has the potential to change the growth of a tree or cause long term damage - therefore pruning should be avoided without a good reason.
A copy of the council’s Good practice guide 1 – tree work (585KB)
describes different types of pruning and when they should be used. It also describes other common tree management techniques and outlines the acceptable standards of tree work at the present time.
Tree work requires a high degree of skill and should only be undertaken by well trained and competent arborists or tree surgeons. If tree work is not undertaken properly, it could lead to injury to people, damage to property and permanent damage to trees.
Anyone can advertise themselves as a tree work contractor or arborist, so you should assure yourself that they are competent to undertake tree works.
High Peak Borough Council does not recommend any tree works contractors, but we can provide a list of contractors approved by the Arboricultural Association. These contractors have been assessed as complying with, and practising to, the standard required by the Association. The companies have been examined for safe working practices and technical competence, consistent with British Standard 3998: Recommendations for Tree Work, 1989. For further information, you can visit the Arboricultural Association website, www.trees.org.uk (external website**) or call them on 01794 368717.
It may be necessary to get expert advice when managing trees, particularly if you have mature trees that require inspection for safety purpose or you wish to make an application to fell a protected tree due to its condition. Tree work contractors will often give general advice for free, but remember that they have a vested interest in recommending that work is undertaken and may not be as highly qualified or experienced as a consultant arborist.
As with contractors we do not specifically recommend any Arboricultural consultants. The list below is just for information and you should make your own assessment that they are suitably qualified to provide arboricultural advice and have professional indemnity insurance. Some consultants have been assessed and approved by the Arboricultural Association For further information you can visit the Arboricultural Association website www.trees.org.uk or contact them on Tel: 01794 368717.
**Please note: High Peak Borough Council is not responsible for the content of any external websites.