Terms & Conditions

The Contractor.

The Contractor agrees to perform the work in a competent manner according to British Standard 3998:2010 and all current research or directives in compliance to the specification and quotations contained in the estimate.

All Quotations.

All quotations and instructions are accepted based on payment within 30 days of the date of invoice unless agreed in writing to the contrary, 30 days for commercial clients. If payment is not made within this time the Contractor reserves the right to charge interest on any unpaid sum at the rate of 8% p.a. until payment in full.

Site Conditions.

The quotation is based on the site conditions, existing at the time of preparation of the quotation. The work will be completed in accordance with the quotation provided that the site condition at the time the work is conducted remains the same as that the time that time when the quote was created. It is the responsibility of the owner to bring to the attention of the Contractor any changes to the site that they become aware of between the date of quotation and the date of the work being conducted. Any changes in site condition may result in an additional charge to the owner.

Amendments.

Amendments to quotations will be made in writing. The Contractor shall employ only careful, skilled, and trained staff who are experienced in such works. All trees appearing on the schedule of work has been inspected from ground level and recommendations have been made on this basis. If while carrying out this schedule, the contractor discovers a defect not previously detected, and is, in his opinion a threat to public safety, he will report this defect to the client, who can then agree on any variations to the quotations.

Private Covenants.

Investigation of private covenants shall be the responsibility of the owner and no liability shall attach contractors for breach of any such covenant. The owner hereby indemnifies the contractor against any claims for breach of Covenants by the Contractor.

Underground Services.

Unless a detailed plan showing the exact location of underground pipes, wires or cables has been forwarded to the Contractor by the owners of the land or his agent prior to the formation of the contract, the contractor shall be under no liability for any damage caused as a result of work performed under the contract to such pipes, wires or cables or for any damage to property resulting there from the owner of the land (or his agent) shall be liable for any damage.

Tree Preservation Orders and Conservation Areas.

The tree concerned in the contract may be in a Conservation Area or be subject to a Tree Preservation Order. Upon receipt of the owner’s acceptance of the contract, we will obtain the necessary permission to carry out the tree work from the relevant authority. This will incur a nominal charge of £28.50 + VAT.

Terravent (if applicable)

The use of the Terravent machine involves driving a metal probe into the ground and releasing a blast of compressed gas. The length of the probe is dependant on the specification in the quotation. In lawns, near trees or in planted areas no responsibility can be accepted for damage to water pipes, irrigation systems of land drainage pipes. This also applies to and Underground Services.

Removal of Waste.

All debris created because of the work undertaken by the Contractor in accordance with the quotation will be chipped for mulch and reused. We have a policy of not using landfill sites and any debris which we are unable to chip will be taken to our yard for recycling.

Value Added Tax (VAT).

All prices quoted are liable to the current VAT rate.

Insurance Cover.

All work carried out by the contractor is covered by £10,000,000.00 Third Party and Public Liability Insurance for damage to persons or property that may result in the implementation of the contract.

Completion of Contract.

The Contractor will not be liable in damages or otherwise because of non-performance of a contract arising from adverse weather conditions, strikes, lockouts, war and civil commotion, pandemic, Government imposed restrictions or lack of adequately skilled labour in whole or in part.

Completion dates shall be contingent upon weather conditions.

Complaints.

Any complaints, which may arise from work performed under any contract arising from acceptance of the quotation, must be made within the period of seven days from the date of invoice, unless agreed in writing to the contrary.

EXPLANATION OF TERMS

Dead Wood Removal – To remove all dead wood over 3cm diameter unless otherwise stated. Cuts will be made back to the nearest appropriate pruning position.

Crown Cleaning – To remove deadwood (as specified above), diseased and dying wood, split or broken branches and crossing or rubbing branches.

Crown Thinning – To remove branches as detailed in Crown Cleaning and the removal of further small diameter branches to obtain the required density. These branches will normally be below 25mm diameter and spread evenly throughout the crown. Crown thinning will NOT result in major alterations to the overall outline of the tree. The volume of the material to be removed is normally expressed as a percentage of the whole crown volume and should be considered as an approximate guideline.

Cut Back Overhanging Branches – Branches will be removed as specified to clear structures by 1.5m where branches extend over buildings, they will be cut to clear the roof level by at least 2m unless otherwise specified.

Crown Reduce/Shape – To reduce the crown size in all directions to leave a balanced crown structure. It is a complete crown treatment and not just a reduction in height without dealing with side branches. It is normally specified as a percentage and refers to the branch proportion to be removed in relation to the total branch length from tip to trunk.

Tree Feeding – Tree Fella will require a water source to fill up tanks, under ground services apply as with stump grinding.

Crown Lifting – To remove the lowest branches, which effectively increases the height of the main crown above ground level. All the remaining branches will normally be above the height specified.

Bracing System – The structural support of trees that will become increasingly liable to storm damage. This method of prolonging useful safe life expectancy is only recommended in circumstances where retention is the priority.

Natural Trim – This is performed on evergreens and some types of shrubbery to help control and contain growth while retaining the natural look. It is achieved by selective pruning of exterior branches, but interior wood is not removed.

Clip/Shape – The formal clipping of evergreens and some species of shrubs. The exterior branches are sheared back to an exact length leaving a formal smooth appearance. Interior wood is not removed.

Tree Removal/Dismantling – The tree is either felled of dismantled in sections and disposed of as directed. The main stump of the tree is left in the ground and cut off to within 200mm of soil level.

Stump removal – The main stump of the tree will be ground into chips with a special machine to a depth of 200mm below the present soil level over the width of the trunk cross section. Smaller roots spreading out from the main stump will be left undisturbed in the soil unless specified. We will remove grindings and re-instate with topsoil.

Grub Out – Smaller trees or shrubs may be dug out by hand where specified. The main root crown will be removed, the smaller roots being left undisturbed in the soil.

Log length – If wood is to be left on site as rings the maximum length will be specified in mm normally 400mm.

Manageable Sizes – IF wood is to be left on site in manageable sizes it will be cut to a weight and dimension that is movable by one person.

Tree Trunks – If the main trunks are to be left on site all the side branches will be cut off flush to the stems on sections over the stated diameter.

Soil Aeration – This is a mechanical improvement of the soil structure as an aid to tree health. It can be operated manually with spikes or by a machine that uses compressed air. Individual requirements vary with site conditions and the most appropriate treatment for your trees will be used.

If there is any part of the Terminology related to tree care that you are unsure of, please contact us prior to the team arriving. We will be happy to clarify any aspects to you.