# How to Choose a Tree Surgeon in North London

> A plain step-by-step checklist for picking a safe, insured, qualified tree surgeon in North London. Covers accreditation, insurance, quotes, permission and red flags.

Source: https://northlondontreesurgeons.com/guides/how-to-choose-a-tree-surgeon-north-london/ · Published 2026-09-05 · Updated 2026-09-05 · By North London Tree Surgeons

Picking a tree surgeon is not like picking a gardener. Tree work is high-risk. It involves chainsaws, heights and heavy timber. If it goes wrong, the bill lands on you. This guide gives you a simple checklist. Work through it in order.

## The 60-second version

1. Check the firm is on the [ARB Approved Contractor register](https://www.trees.org.uk/ARB-Approved-Contractor-Directory). If not, ask why.
2. Ask for the public liability insurance certificate. Look for at least £5 million.
3. Ask for chainsaw and climbing certificates (NPTC, City & Guilds or Lantra).
4. Check whether your tree is protected. Ask your council before any work.
5. Get a written quote. If it feels high, or you are not sure, get one more.
6. Never pay in full up front. Never hire someone who knocks on your door.

The rest of this page explains each step.

## Step 1: Start with the ARB Approved Contractor register

The Arboricultural Association runs the only full accreditation scheme for UK tree surgeons. It says the scheme checks "tree work and health and safety" and that every Approved Contractor "has been thoroughly assessed". It also warns: "if they do not appear on the online register then they are not an Approved Contractor." ([Arboricultural Association directory](https://www.trees.org.uk/ARB-Approved-Contractor-Directory))

Approved Contractors must hold at least £5 million of public liability cover, with a maximum excess of £250 per incident. They are reassessed on a regular cycle. ([Why use an ARB Approved Contractor](https://www.trees.org.uk/Help-Advice/Public/Why-should-I-use-an-ARB-Approved-Contractor))

Very few North London firms hold this status. In our directory, three firms say they are ARB Approved. Use the register to confirm it yourself. Type the firm's name or your postcode.

Being a "member" of the Arboricultural Association is not the same thing. Membership is a subscription. Approved Contractor status is an inspection. Several good local firms are members but not Approved Contractors. That is fine. It just means you must do more checking yourself.

## Step 2: Ask to see insurance, not just hear about it

Every firm says it is "fully insured". Ask for the certificate. A real firm will send it within a day. Check three things:

- The name on the certificate matches the trading name on the quote.
- Public liability is at least £5 million. Most good firms carry £5 million to £10 million.
- The policy is in date.

If the firm has staff, it also needs employers' liability insurance. This is a legal requirement in the UK.

See our [insurance guide](/guides/tree-surgeon-insurance-what-to-check/) for the detail.

## Step 3: Ask about qualifications

The Health and Safety Executive lists the main tree work hazards as "Aerial work, chainsaws, machinery, working at height, vehicles". ([HSE tree work](https://www.hse.gov.uk/treework/index.htm)) People doing this work need proof of training.

Ask which certificates the team holds. Common ones are:

- NPTC or City & Guilds chainsaw units
- Lantra awards
- Tree climbing and aerial rescue
- First aid

The person quoting is not always the person climbing. Ask about the whole crew.

## Step 4: Check whether your tree is protected

In North London, many trees are protected. A Tree Preservation Order (TPO) makes it a criminal offence to "cut down, top, lop, uproot, wilfully damage or wilfully destroy a tree" without consent. Serious cases go to the Crown Court, where "an unlimited fine can be imposed". ([Arboricultural Association legislation guide](https://www.trees.org.uk/Help-Advice/Public/A-brief-guide-to-legislation-for-trees))

If you live in a conservation area, you must give the council written notice at least six weeks before work starts. Large parts of Hampstead, Highgate, Muswell Hill, Islington and Stoke Newington are conservation areas.

A good tree surgeon will check this for you. Some, like Tree Matters and Gibbs & Haynes, say they will file the application. But you are the owner. The fine lands on you too. Check your council's map. See our [permission guide](/guides/tpo-conservation-area-permission-north-london/).

## Step 5: Get a written quote

One good quote is enough. If it feels high, or you are not sure about the firm, get one more. The Arboricultural Association reminds you that "price is only one factor". ([How do I select the right tree surgeon?](https://www.trees.org.uk/Help-Advice/Public/How-do-I-select-the-right-Tree-Surgeon))

A second quote only helps if it describes the same work. Ask the firm to write down:

- Which trees, and what will be done to each
- How much will be removed (for example "reduce crown by 2 metres")
- Whether waste is removed and where it goes
- Whether the price includes VAT
- Whether the firm will handle council permission

Our [quotes guide](/guides/how-to-compare-tree-surgeon-quotes/) has a template you can copy.

## Step 6: Watch for red flags

Walk away if you see any of these:

- Someone knocks on your door offering tree work "while we are in the area"
- Cash only, or a big deposit before any work
- They offer to "top" your tree. Topping is outdated and harms trees.
- No written quote, no address, no landline
- They will not show insurance

More in our [red flags guide](/guides/tree-surgeon-red-flags/).

## Step 7: Check reviews, but read them properly

Use independent review sites, not just the testimonials on a firm's own site. Look for review counts in the dozens or hundreds, recent dates, and how the firm replies to poor reviews. Our [reviews guide](/guides/how-to-read-tree-surgeon-reviews/) explains what each platform checks.

## Use our directory

Our [North London tree surgeon directory](/tree-surgeons/) lists every firm we could verify. For each one we show what the firm says about itself and what we could confirm on independent sites. We do not take payment for listings.

## Frequently asked questions

### Do I need an ARB Approved Contractor?

No, but it is the easiest way to be sure of insurance, training and safety. If you choose a firm that is not approved, do the insurance and qualification checks yourself.

### How many quotes should I get?

One is fine if you trust the firm and the price feels fair. If not, get one more and make sure it describes the same job.

### Can a tree surgeon start work the same day?

For emergencies, yes. For planned work, a same-day start with pressure to decide now is a warning sign. Protected trees also need council consent first.

### Who is responsible if a protected tree is cut without permission?

Both the owner and the person doing the work can be prosecuted. Check before work starts.

## Sources

- [Arboricultural Association: ARB Approved Contractor Directory](https://www.trees.org.uk/ARB-Approved-Contractor-Directory)
- [Arboricultural Association: Why should I use an ARB Approved Contractor?](https://www.trees.org.uk/Help-Advice/Public/Why-should-I-use-an-ARB-Approved-Contractor)
- [Arboricultural Association: How do I select the right Tree Surgeon?](https://www.trees.org.uk/Help-Advice/Public/How-do-I-select-the-right-Tree-Surgeon)
- [Arboricultural Association: A brief guide to legislation for trees](https://www.trees.org.uk/Help-Advice/Public/A-brief-guide-to-legislation-for-trees)
- [HSE: Tree work](https://www.hse.gov.uk/treework/index.htm)