As the owner of Bristol Tree Services, I often get asked why it’s important to choose a tree surgeon who is a member of the Arboricultural Association (ARB). After all, you might think, a tree surgeon is a tree surgeon – so why does accreditation matter?
The short answer is: it makes a huge difference.
When you’re trusting someone to work on your trees, whether in your back garden or on a large commercial site, you’re not just hiring a person with a chainsaw. You’re putting the safety of your property, your family, and the trees themselves in their hands. And that’s why being ARB Approved matters so much.
Let me explain.
What is the ARB Association?
The Arboricultural Association is the leading professional body for tree care in the UK. They set high standards for tree surgeons and arboricultural contractors.
To become an ARB Approved Contractor, a business has to go through a rigorous assessment process. This looks at everything from health and safety practices, training and qualifications, quality of work, customer service, and even insurance cover.
In short: they don’t just let anyone in.
Safety Comes First
Tree work is dangerous. It’s one of the highest-risk industries in the UK. Working at height, handling heavy branches, and using powerful equipment means there’s no room for cutting corners.
As an ARB Approved business, we’ve been independently checked to make sure our safety procedures are up to scratch. That means you can have peace of mind that when we turn up, we’re working as safely as possible – not just for ourselves, but for you, your property, and the public.
If you’re hiring someone who isn’t ARB Approved, you simply can’t be sure they’re working to the same standards.
Proper Insurance and Paperwork
Nobody likes paperwork, but when it comes to tree surgery, it matters. If something goes wrong – like accidental damage to your property – you need to know that your contractor is fully insured and covered.
Part of the ARB assessment involves checking that we carry the right level of insurance and keep it up to date. Unfortunately, there are plenty of unqualified “tree surgeons” out there who don’t have the right cover. If you hire them and something goes wrong, you could be left footing the bill.
Choosing an ARB Approved business means you’re protected.
Professional Standards You Can Trust
Being ARB Approved is about more than ticking boxes. It’s about consistently delivering good work.
Every job we take on, whether it’s pruning a small apple tree or managing large woodland, has to meet the standards expected of an accredited contractor. That includes:
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Working to industry best practice
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Offering clear, honest advice
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Leaving sites tidy and safe
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Treating customers fairly and professionally
It’s about raising the bar across the industry and giving you confidence in the service you’re paying for.
Why This Matters for You
At Bristol Tree Services, we’ve invested the time and effort to become ARB Approved because we think our customers deserve that reassurance.
If you’re a homeowner, it means you don’t have to worry about cowboys turning up, hacking at your trees, and leaving you with a mess or worse, a dangerous situation.
If you’re a business or a local authority, it means you’ve got a contractor who meets the highest industry standards, and who can handle the health and safety requirements your projects demand.
An Investment in Your Trees
Trees are a long-term investment. The right care can help them thrive for decades; the wrong care can leave them damaged or dangerous.
By choosing an ARB Approved contractor, you’re ensuring your trees get the care they deserve. From people who know what they’re doing and are held accountable to the highest standards.
ARB Approved and More
There are plenty of tree surgeons out there, but not all of them are created equal. The ARB Association sets the benchmark for quality and safety in our industry.
At Bristol Tree Services, we’re proud to be ARB Approved because it shows our commitment to doing things properly for our customers, the arborists in our team and the trees we care for.
So next time you’re looking for a tree surgeon, ask the question: Are they ARB Approved?
If the answer is yes, you can relax knowing you’re in safe hands.
And if you’re in the Bristol area and need some help with your trees well, you know where to find us.
As well as being an ARB Approved contractor, we’re also CHAS, SMAS and Trustmark approved and have many five-star reviews from happy customers.
Our services include crown thinning, hedge trimming, stump grinding and more. Head to our services page for a full list of tree surgery tasks we take care of for both domestic and commercial customers across Bristol and the wider South West.