Your guide to working with Aspen Tree Surgery
We take pride in providing high-quality service and customer satisfaction. Please read the information below carefully as it forms the terms and conditions of our contract. Aspen Tree Surgery Ltd. agrees to complete the work competently and in accordance with the applicable specifications. All work will be carried out in accordance with British Standard 3998, ‘Tree Work Recommendations’. However, if the customer specifically requests an operation that does not comply with BS3998, we are able to perform the work, but this will be noted in the written quotation. The dimensions specified are approximate and will be to the nearest appropriate pruning point whenever possible. For an explanation of the terminology and definitions used in our quotation, please see the Arboricultural Association’s website – www.trees.org.uk/tree-care-advice/tree-terminology or contact us.
Pruning Definitions
Crown thinning, crown lifting, and crown reduction are the three main pruning operations performed. If you would like more information on the various options, please visit the Arboricultural Association’s website by clicking on the link above.
Do you take everything away?
Most customers require the removal of all arising waste material from the site, which is usually specified in the quotation. Woodchips, on the other hand, make excellent garden mulch, and we are increasingly seeing clients request that the chips be left for their own use. Timber can also be used for firewood, but it is rarely left in ‘ready for the fire’ sizes unless specifically requested in the quotation.
Will my neighbours be affected?
Sometimes access to a neighbouring property will make our job easier, especially when branches are overhanging. It would be very helpful if you could notify your neighbour of your intention to do work and obtain their permission to enter their property, if necessary.
Do I need to protect my walls or lawns?
While our employees will work with care and diligence, our work frequently entails carrying large amounts of material (brushwood or logs) across lawns and past the house. Please ensure that fragile objects (such as pots, etc.) are moved and that vulnerable surfaces (such as white walls) are adequately protected (builders polythene is a good method). Our staff will gladly move heavier objects for elderly or disabled clients. Lawns recover quickly, but extremely wet weather can result in extremely muddy conditions. We can supply boards to protect the lawn. This is not, however, a standard procedure and may incur additional costs. If you have any questions, please contact our office.
Site hygiene
We’re unable to work on sites littered with dog or animal faeces. It’s your responsibility to clear up such a mess before we arrive or incur an additional fee for cleaning or clearing up on the day. If this is not possible, you may incur a rebooking callout fee.
What time will the team arrive?
The majority of jobs are completed efficiently and on time. However, every now and then, a job will run late or the weather will prevent us from working on time. The team is scheduled to arrive at 8:30 a.m. However, for smaller contracts, we cannot estimate an arrival time until late afternoon the day before, and even then, we can only advise an a.m. or p.m. arrival. We will make every effort to accommodate clients who require a morning or afternoon visit.
Insurance
All work performed by Aspen Tree Surgery Ltd. is covered by £10,000,000 in third-party and public liability insurance for damage to persons or property that may occur during the contract’s execution. Our policy is available upon request.
Do I need permission?
The trees in this contract specification may be located in a Conservation Area or be protected by a Tree Preservation Order. We will check for the presence of legislative protection (Tree Preservation Orders, etc.) upon acceptance of our quotation; there is no charge for this Local Authority check. If a notification or application is required, we are happy to handle it on your behalf, but please be aware that a fee may be charged.
Do you replace trees/shrubs that die after planting?
We make every effort to obtain high-quality plants that meet BS3936: Part 1: 1992, Nursery Stock, Specification for Trees and Shrubs, and that are handled and planted according to industry standards. It is critical, however, that you care for your new plantings and keep them watered and maintained on a regular basis. Trees and shrubs that die due to causes outside of our control will not be replaced. If you have any questions about how to care for new trees, please contact us.
Do I need to treat (poison) the stump after felling?
Following felling, the majority of conifers will stop growing and decay naturally. Some deciduous trees will sprout shoots. We try to avoid using chemicals, but if necessary, we can apply a single treatment with ‘Eco-plugs’ according to the manufacturer’s specifications. Because of factors beyond our control, we cannot guarantee the efficacy of a pesticide after application.
Stump grinding
The reason for the grinding and the depth of the grinding will be agreed upon with the client during the initial site visit. Stump grinding is usually done a few days after the tree is felled, rather than on the same day. Because stump grindings decompose quickly, they are used to backfill the resulting hole. The grindings can be removed from the site, but this will cost an additional fee.
Underground and overhead services
Although every reasonable effort will be made to locate the presence of underground services, Aspen Tree Surgery Ltd. shall be under no liability for any damage caused as a result of work performed under the contract to such pipes, wires, or cables, or for any resulting damage to property, unless a plan showing the exact location of underground pipes, wires, or cables has been forwarded to us by the owner of the land or agent prior to the formation of the contract. Unless otherwise agreed in writing with Aspen Tree Surgery, any charge for the removal of power lines or telephone cables is the responsibility of the owner.
When do I pay?
When the job is finished, the Team Leader will ask you to sign the job sheet to show that you are satisfied. Please sign only when you are certain that all items have been completed. Please contact the Team Leader if you have any questions before signing off. The office will invoice jobs that have been signed off on within 14 days. All contracts and instructions are accepted on the condition that the full invoice price is paid within 7 days of the invoice date. Payment methods include cheque, bank transfer (BACS), cash, and debit card.
Late payments
When invoices are past due and payment is not received, ATS reserves the right to charge daily interest on the debt at a weekly rate of 8% over the Bank of England base rate. If an account remains unpaid, we will refer it to our debt collection agents, who will charge us an additional 20% plus VAT. Any fixed fee costs incurred in collecting the debt will be added to the debt, along with VAT at the current rate.
General
Completion dates shall be contingent upon weather conditions.
All quotations and estimates are valid for 30 days and include any ‘value’, monetary or otherwise, the arisings may have, unless stated otherwise. After this period, we reserve the right to withdraw and re-price work, unless otherwise agreed in writing with you.
Quotes for felling are based upon the assumption that trees are free from metal, stone, or other hidden obstructions. In the event of a tree being impossible to fall in the normal way, we reserve the right to re-quote accordingly.
The Contract price is based on the site conditions existing at the time of the preparation of the estimate remaining unchanged.
Aspen Tree Surgery Ltd. reserves the right to cancel the contract at any time and for any reason and shall not be liable for any penalties or costs. Reasons for cancellation may be diary error, IT error, client error, third-party error, changes in circumstances, misunderstanding, unreasonable, or antisocial behaviour of the customer.