Your Questions, Answered

  • Sometimes. If the tree has a Tree Preservation Order on it, or stands within a conservation area, you will need to notify or apply to your local council before any work begins. We check this as part of the quote and will tell you exactly what is required. We will not carry out work on a protected tree without the correct permissions in place.

  • No. All quotes are free and come with no obligation. We visit, assess the tree and the surrounding site, then give you a clear price with no hidden costs. Nothing goes ahead until you are happy.

  • Price depends on the size and species of the tree, its condition, how accessible it is, and what needs to happen to the waste afterwards. A straightforward garden tree with clear access is very different to a large tree overhanging a building that has to be dismantled in sections. This is why we quote after seeing the job rather than over the phone.

  • For planned work we will give you an idea of timescales when we quote. Emergencies are different and we aim to respond as quickly as possible, day or night.

  • We can often talk through the likely approach and give you a general sense of scale, but we will not give a firm price without seeing the tree. Quoting blind tends to mean either overcharging or discovering problems part way through, and neither is fair on you.

  • Collaborative, honest, and straightforward. We're here to guide the process, bring ideas to the table, and keep things moving.

On the Day

  • Not necessarily, provided we have access to the tree or area and have agreed everything beforehand. Many clients are out at work while we are on site. We will confirm access arrangements with you when the job is booked.

  • Usually not. We will always try to work from the most practical access point and will discuss this with you at the quote stage so there are no surprises.

  • Yes, we clear all arisings as standard and leave the site tidy. If you would prefer to keep the wood for logs, or want the chip left for use in the garden, tell us when we quote and we will leave it for you.

  • For most domestic work, no. Larger jobs, roadside trees or work needing specialist access equipment may require traffic management or a permit, and we will arrange this and factor it into the quote.

  • Anything from a couple of hours for a small pruning job to several days for a large removal or a site clearance. We will give you a realistic estimate when we quote.

  • There will be sawdust and chip while we work, but we clear up thoroughly before we leave. Most clients are surprised how tidy the site looks afterwards. Have a look through our gallery to see finished jobs.

Qualifications and Safety

  • Yes. All work is carried out by City & Guilds qualified arborists and we hold £5,000,000 public liability insurance. Johnsons Arborist Ltd is a registered limited company in England and Wales, number 14649319. You can read more about us and our accreditations.

  • BS3998 is the recognised British Standard for tree work. It sets out how pruning and removal should be carried out so the tree is treated correctly and the work is safe. All of our work follows it, which matters particularly for pruning, where poor technique can permanently damage a tree.

  • Tree work carries real risk to property and people. If an uninsured operator damages your house, your neighbour's property or a vehicle, you may be left dealing with the consequences yourself. Always ask to see proof of public liability insurance before work starts, whoever you use.

  • We would strongly advise against anything beyond light pruning you can reach safely from the ground. Chainsaw work at height, and anything involving trees under tension or storm damage, is genuinely dangerous and causes serious injuries every year.

Trees and Timing

  • It depends on the species. Most trees are best pruned during the dormant winter months, though cherries, plums and other stone fruit should be pruned in summer to reduce the risk of disease. We are happy to advise on the right timing for your tree.

  • Hedge cutting is planned around bird nesting season, which runs roughly from March to August, as it is an offence to damage an active nest. Outside that window there is far more flexibility. We will always check a hedge before we start.

  • Common warning signs include dead or hanging branches, fungal growth around the base, cracks in the trunk, leaning that has recently changed, or leaves failing to appear on part of the crown. If you are unsure, we are happy to come and assess it. Our blog covers this in more detail.

  • Bare branches in winter are usually normal. A simple check is to scratch a small area of bark on a twig - green underneath means live tissue, brown and dry suggests the branch has died. If a large portion of the crown fails to come into leaf in spring, it is worth having the tree looked at.

Areas, Emergencies and Commercial Work

  • We are based in Melksham and work across Wiltshire and the South West, regularly covering Devizes, Chippenham, Calne, Corsham, Trowbridge, Westbury, Warminster, Marlborough, Bath and the surrounding villages. If you are just outside that area, get in touch and we will do our best to help.

  • Keep people and pets well away and do not attempt to cut or move it yourself, as fallen trees are under tension and can shift without warning. If it has landed on a road or power line, contact the council or the network operator. Then call us on 0781 101 9410 — we are available 24/7 for emergency tree surgery.

  • Yes. Alongside domestic work we work with businesses, local authorities, architects and developers, from one-off site clearance through to ongoing grounds maintenance.

Still Have a Question?

If your question is not covered here, give us a call on 0781 101 9410 or drop us a message. We are always happy to visit, assess and advise before anything is agreed.

Tree work is not something most people arrange often, so it is normal to have questions before you get started. Here are some of the questions we are asked most frequently by homeowners and businesses across Wiltshire, covering everything from permissions and pricing through to what happens on the day. If your question is not answered here, get in touch and we will be happy to help.