Tree work07884 274693Training01772 369694
From the ground, it can be hard to tell the difference between someone with a chainsaw and a team of qualified arborists. The work may look similar for an hour or two, yet the impact on safety, tree health and your site can last for decades.
At Great Oaks, our arborists look at every tree as part of a wider picture. We are thinking about roots, branches, buildings, people and long term growth, not just what needs cutting today. This post lifts the lid on what we actually do, how that differs from general gardening, and how our approach keeps your trees, and the people around them, safe.
An arborist is a tree care specialist who understands how trees grow, react to pruning and respond to their surroundings. Arborists work within the wider field of arboriculture, which is the science and practice of cultivating, establishing and managing amenity trees for the benefit of people and places.
In practice, that means our arborists are not only deciding what to remove. They are assessing how each cut will affect the structure, stability and long-term health of the tree. They consider species, age, defects, surrounding structures and how the tree will interact with people using the space.
A professional arborist will typically:
Tree work is classed by the Health and Safety Executive as one of the more dangerous types of work in Britain, because it combines chainsaws, working at height and unpredictable natural structures. Choosing trained arborists reduces the risk of accidents on site, protects your reputation and supports your legal duties around managing tree risk.
People often use different job titles like arborist, tree surgeon or even tree cutter for the same kind of work. What really matters is the level of training, the standards followed and the quality of on site decision making. At Great Oaks, our arborists and tree surgeons are trained to recognised industry standards and follow current best practice for safe, modern tree care, as set out in guidance such as BS3998 on tree work recommendations.
Our role is to manage the risks, protect the health of your trees and leave your site safe, tidy and ready to use, whether we are carrying out a small pruning job or planning a complex programme of arborist services across a large estate.
Good gardening makes a huge difference to how a site feels, but it is not a substitute for skilled arborist work. Gardeners usually focus on lawns, planting, borders and light pruning. Arborists are brought in when trees could affect safety, access, structures or long term planning.
Where gardeners might shape small trees and shrubs, our arborists look at larger or more complex trees that need detailed inspection and technical work. We are thinking about stem and branch structure, defects, decay, wind loading and the way a tree will respond over time, not just how it looks this season.
Choosing qualified arborists helps to:
The result is a more joined-up approach, where tree safety and tree health are considered together rather than as a series of one-off jobs.
Arborist services cover far more than simply cutting branches. At Great Oaks we provide a full range of tree care that supports safety, usability and the overall look of your site.
A typical visit starts with a detailed look at each tree. Our arborists carry out visual inspections, check for defects such as cracks, cavities and weak unions, and consider how likely any issues are to affect people or property. Findings from these tree inspections and risk assessments guide whether we recommend pruning, monitoring or removal.
Pruning is not just “taking a bit off the top”. We use a range of techniques, including crown lifting, thinning and reduction, to achieve the right clearance and shape while respecting how the tree grows. Correct pruning helps:
Our arborists always aim for cuts that work with the tree’s natural structure so that it can respond and recover well.
Sometimes removal is the safest or most practical option. This might be because of advanced decay, storm damage or development plans. In built up or sensitive areas, we often use sectional felling, where the tree is carefully dismantled in pieces, with rigging used to lower timber in a controlled way.
Stumps can be left at a low height in some locations, but often it is safer and more convenient to remove them. We provide stump grinding and stump removal to reduce trip hazards, prevent regrowth and prepare the ground for replanting or new surfacing.
Good tree management is rarely a one off exercise. We support clients with planned inspection regimes, cyclical pruning and responsive works after storms or high winds. Our tree care often sits alongside wider grounds maintenance, so paths, grass, planting and trees are all considered together.
As arborists with commercial experience, we are used to working around busy car parks, access roads, play areas and operational sites, planning work so that disruption is kept to a minimum.
A day with our arborists starts long before the first branch is cut. Each morning, the team reviews the day’s jobs, maps, access notes and any previous reports. We agree who is leading each task, what equipment is needed and how we will manage site specific risks such as traffic, public access or nearby buildings.
A short toolbox talk covers weather, any unusual hazards and emergency arrangements. Everyone needs to know the plan before we set off.
When we arrive on site, the first job is to walk the area, confirm what we are dealing with and complete a dynamic risk assessment. The team looks for:
Only when we are satisfied that we understand the site, the trees and the risks do we start setting up.
Professional tree work relies on a mix of training, experience and the right equipment.
Our arborists follow recognised training routes and hold relevant qualifications for chainsaw use, climbing, aerial rescue and machinery. Formal learning is backed up with regular refreshers, mentoring and on site coaching so that newer team members can build confidence under supervision.
We invest in specialist kit and keep it well maintained, from climbing and rigging equipment to chippers, stump grinders and access platforms. This supports safe working, reliable scheduling and consistent results.
Great Oaks’ accreditations are an important part of how we demonstrate this commitment. Being an ARB Approved Contractor means our systems, site work and knowledge have been independently assessed against industry standards. It gives you the reassurance that our processes for safety, quality and customer care are audited on a regular basis.
The combination of trained people, tested equipment and verified systems is what allows us to tackle complex tree work with confidence, even in challenging locations.
It can be hard to know when a tree needs attention. You do not have to wait for an obvious emergency before asking for help. Getting advice early can make the work simpler, cheaper and less disruptive.
You should consider contacting an arborist if you notice:
It is also sensible to ask for input when you are planning changes on site. New buildings, car parks, play areas or changes in how spaces are used can all alter how trees affect risk and access.
We are happy to look at your trees, explain what we see and outline practical options. Sometimes the answer is a small pruning job or a monitoring plan rather than major work.
Is there a difference between an arborist and a tree surgeon?
In everyday use, the terms are often used for the same type of work. The important thing is the level of training, experience and the standards followed. At Great Oaks, the same focus on safety, tree health and good practice runs through all our tree surgery and arborist work.
How often should mature trees be inspected?
There is no single rule that fits every site. Factors such as species, age, location, history and use of the surrounding area all matter. As a guide, many sites benefit from a regular inspection cycle, with more frequent checks for high risk trees near busy routes or structures. We can help you agree a sensible inspection programme.
Do arborists have to follow specific standards?
Good tree work is guided by British Standards and current industry practice. Our arborists work in line with relevant standards for pruning, felling and general tree management, and our status as an ARB Approved Contractor adds an extra layer of independent oversight.
Can work always be done without removing a tree?
Where possible, we look for options that retain trees, such as pruning, bracing or monitoring. Sometimes, though, removal is the safest or most sustainable option, particularly where defects are advanced or where trees conflict with essential infrastructure. If removal is needed, we can also help with replanting plans.
What information do you need before pricing tree work?
Helpful details include a simple description of the trees, any known issues, recent history and how the site is used. Photographs and a site plan can speed up early discussions. For most jobs we will arrange a visit, assess the trees in person and talk through options before providing a clear, written quotation.
Choosing skilled arborists is about more than getting a job ticked off a list. It is about managing risk, protecting the health of your trees and keeping your site safe, attractive and easy to use.
At Great Oaks, our qualified arborists combine detailed inspections, thoughtful pruning, careful felling and stump work with strong safety systems and independently verified accreditations. Whether you need a one-off survey, help after a storm or a long-term maintenance plan, we are here to provide clear, practical advice.
If you are unsure what your trees need, or you simply want a second opinion, get in touch with us and we will be happy to help. You do not have to wait for an emergency before asking for support.
07884 274693
office@greatoakstreeservices.co.uk
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Careers
Climbing, grounds maintenance and utility work.Climbing, grounds and utility work.
Arboricultural Association Approved Contractor.
Last minuteAvailability
Starts Monday 19 October 2026
3 days plus 1 for assessment
£9671 place
Entry requirements: Ground Based Chainsaw Operator and Tree Climbing and Aerial Rescue
Book this date, Using a Chainsaw from a Rope and HarnessOr call the training office on 01772 369694
