Tree felling and insurance?

[BUG4LIFE]

I've got a large tree in the front garden that I want cutting down/killing and a huge conifer in the back garden which needs tidying up. Both these trees overhang roads and other peoples gardens.

I'm going to get someone in to sort these jobs but do I need to ask them about insurance etc, in case something bad was to happen like a big branch falling on someones car?! I've actually got a 'gardener' in in the next few days, sorting quite a few general maintenance job [while I'm out of action with a knackered knee] and he's said he can do the trees too but should I be turning him down if he doesn't have the correct protection [for him and me]?

Thanks for any help.

[david mcc]

Really depends on size of the tree and the area around it in my opinion.
I've done a few myself (no training what so ever) in my own / family members gardens because the pro prices were so expensive.

In my area there are a few "gardeners" who will fell trees. None have any insurance, some are really good and some are just maniacs with a chainsaw looking for a quick buck. Same story with travellers who come around, some do a brilliant job and are cheaper than most (but they might dump the waste a few miles away)

If money is no object then go with a pro tree surgeon obviously

[Jimmyarm]

You should have a Public Liability section on your home insurance.

Read it, phone your Insurer if you have questions.

[BUG4LIFE]

Yeah I'll take a look at my house insurance, cheers.

I wasn't doubting peoples ability to do the job, more if something went pear shaped who has to pick up the tab?! The tree is over one story high and although doesn't have super thick branches, there's a lot of them [sorry, I haven't got a clue what it's called!!] and as I mentioned, the tree is very close to two quite busy roads. Just wondering if the insurance side of the job should be something the tree surgeon/gardener should be covering really?

[reggaj]

Yeah we have public liability insurance, without seeing it it's hard to give you an opinion, depending on the size of it there's various bits of kit and methods we use for overhanging limbs/branches, like lowering kit or the climber cutting and catching.

[dsl2]

I'm based localish to you & used a superb young tree surgeon who is insured & climbs trees like the proverbial monkey making short work of difficult to access trees by cutting them into small manageable sizes to lower rather than crash down.

Give him a call & get a price - Jack 07909 112300.

[treehack]

Any reputable tree company will have public liability insurance and employees liability. Get a few quotes and take your pick.
If you want to keep the wood then it will save you a bit of money unless you want it cut into splitable sizes, same goes for keeping the chip.