How to Read Tree Surgeon Reviews (Google, Checkatrade, Which?, Trustpilot, TrustATrader)
Reviews are useful. They are also easy to game. This guide explains what each platform does, what to look for, and what we found when we checked North London firms on 5 September 2026.
What each platform actually does
| Platform | Who can review | What the platform checks | What you see |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anyone with a Google account | Little. No proof of purchase. | Star rating and count on Maps | |
| Trustpilot | Anyone; firms can invite customers | Flags suspicious reviews; shows a TrustScore | Score out of 5 and review count |
| Which? Trusted Traders | Customers of endorsed firms | Which? assesses the business before listing it | "Endorsed by Which?", rating, count |
| TrustATrader | Customers of listed firms | Shows insurer and "insurance verified through" date; shows incorporation date | Rating, count, verified details |
| Checkatrade | Customers of listed firms | Checks identity and insurance at sign-up | Rating and count |
| Reviews.co.uk | Customers invited by the firm | Collects reviews for the firm | Rating and count |
| Testimonials on a firm's own site | Chosen by the firm | Nothing | Whatever the firm wants |
Verified review scores we found
We only list a score when we opened the review page ourselves.
| Firm | Platform | Score | Reviews | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thor's Trees | Trustpilot | 4.9 | 324 | Trustpilot |
| Artemis Tree Services | Reviews.co.uk | 4.9 | 744 | Reviews.co.uk |
| Clear Cut Trees | Which? Trusted Traders | 4.9 | 53 | Which? |
| Twisted Tree Surgery | Which? Trusted Traders | 5.0 | 39 | Which? |
| A1 Town & Country | TrustATrader | 4.9 | 42 | TrustATrader |
| Trees A Crowd | TrustATrader | 4.92 | 25 | TrustATrader |
Several other firms in our directory mention Google or Checkatrade reviews on their websites. We could not open those pages, so we do not show a score. Check them yourself before you book.
Five things to look at beyond the star
- Count. Almost every tree firm has 4.8 or better. The count tells you more. Fifty reviews over five years is normal for a small firm. Three hundred is a busy one.
- Dates. Are reviews spread over years, or did forty arrive in one month? Bursts can mean a review drive, or worse.
- Detail. Real reviews mention the job: "reduced the sycamore at the back", "cleared up every leaf". Fake ones are vague: "great service, highly recommend".
- The bad ones. Read every review under four stars. How did the firm reply? A calm, factual reply is a good sign. No reply, or an angry one, is not.
- Platform mix. A firm with reviews on two or more independent platforms is harder to fake than one with a single perfect page.
Testimonials on the firm's own site
Treat these as marketing. The firm chose them. They may be real, but you cannot check. Use them to learn what the firm is proud of, not as evidence.
What reviews cannot tell you
Reviews measure how the customer felt. They do not measure whether the pruning cuts were correct, whether the tree will be healthy in five years, or whether the crew was insured. That is why we pair reviews with insurance, qualifications and Companies House checks in our directory.
Frequently asked questions
Which review site is most reliable for tree surgeons?
Sites that check the business before listing it, such as Which? Trusted Traders, and sites that show verified insurance, such as TrustATrader, give you more than the star alone. Google has the most reviews but checks the least.
Is a 5.0 rating better than a 4.8?
Not on its own. A 4.8 from 300 reviews tells you more than a 5.0 from 12. Read the low reviews and the firm's replies.
Can I trust testimonials on a tree surgeon's website?
Treat them as marketing. Look for the same firm on an independent platform.