Advice
How to choose a tree surgeon in Fife and Tayside
What to check before hiring a tree surgeon in Fife, Dundee, Angus or Perthshire: insurance, written quotes, waste, permissions and warning signs.
Tree work is dangerous, and a bad job can damage a tree, a house or a neighbour's property. A few simple checks will tell you who to trust.
Insurance
Any tree surgeon should hold public liability insurance and be happy to show proof. If a limb lands on a roof or car, this is what pays for it.
A written quote
Get a written quote that spells out exactly what will be cut, how, and whether waste removal and stump grinding are included. Be wary of a price given over the phone without seeing the tree.
Permissions
A good tree surgeon will check whether the tree has a Tree Preservation Order or sits in a conservation area before starting. Cutting a protected tree without consent is an offence, and it is the owner who is liable.
Warning signs
Cold-calling door to door, pressure to decide on the spot, cash-only demands, and suggestions to 'top' a tree are all reasons to look elsewhere.
- Door-to-door cold calls
- Pressure to agree today
- Cash only, no paperwork
- Recommending tree topping
Reviews and past work
Look for genuine reviews and photos of completed jobs, ideally local ones.
Need this doing?
We carry out tree surgery across Fife, Dundee, Angus and Perthshire. See our tree surgeon page or call for a free, no-obligation quote.
Common questions
- Should a tree surgeon be insured?
- Yes. Always ask to see proof of public liability insurance before work starts.
- Is it normal to pay a deposit?
- Some firms ask for one on larger jobs, but full payment up front for small jobs is a warning sign.
- Are LM Trees & Landscaping insured?
- Yes, we are fully insured and give free, no-obligation written quotes.
Your garden, considered
Ready to shape a better outdoor space?
Tell us what you have in mind and request a free, no-obligation quote.