P.A.SEARLE.

Professional Arboricultural Services.
Terms and Conditions.

1.0 General
P.A.Searle have produced this guideline for all customers to ensure that we are providing the best service, and that you understand precisely what we are doing to your trees.  Any specialist terms we use are explained for clarity and our conditions for payment on completion of the contract are described.

1.1 Quality statement.
It is our aim to provide the most efficient service combined with the highest standards of workmanship; Staff are polite and are expected to behave in a professional manner.  All staff are fully trained & certificated in all aspects of work they undertake.  The company works to BS 3998 Treeworks.

1.2 Health and Safety.
Staff are trained and certificated to work to the industry safety guidelines.  Personal protective equipment is checked regularly and meets appropriate CE testing standards where applicable.  The company takes all practical and reasonable steps to protect members of the public on worksites.

1.3 Highway Trees.
Working on trees over footpaths and roads the company will conform to the Chapter 8 of the Roads and Street works act, at all times. Staff Certificated in road Signing.

1.4 Insurance
We confirm that the cover in force of Public Liability is £10,000,000
Professional Indemnity £500,000.  We also have Employers Liability.

2.0 Terms.
2.1 Pruning Operations.
Crown Clean  - The removal of dead, dying, damaged or diseased wood from the tree.

- Deadwood- All deadwood will be removed from the crown down to a minimum
 Diameter of 1cm.

- Crown Reduction- Normally expressed as a ( %) of the total crown, the tree Canopy  will be reduced in size leaving the tree with a natural and pleasing appearance.

-Crown thinning - Expressed as a (%) of the total leaf area, small branches are selectively removed to reduce crown density, diseased, rubbing and crossing branches are pruned out, the tree will remain the same size, however much more light will penetrate through the crown.

-Crown lifting - The lower branches are removed or reduced to attain a desired height over highways or property.  The company complies with the statutory requirements of the Highways Act.

-Formative prune- Young and semi-mature trees are pruned carefully to remove deadwood and any structural defect or weakness that may effect the trees development or present a hazard in later life.

-Removal of sucker/epicormic growth - Unless otherwise agreed this involves the pruning/removal of epicormic shoots around the base of the stem up to the first major fork.

2.2 Tree Removal.

Felling - The tree shall be cut at the base or carefully removed in Sections leaving a stump 4-15 cms. Above ground level.  This is not always possible due to objects in trunk, e.g. metal fence post.
           

Grind - The stump and major surface roots shall be mechanically ground to a depth of 22-30 cms.

Below ground level and the hole reinstated with chips to slightly above its original level to allow for subsequent settlement.  All excess will be removed, Refer to section 4.7.

Remove all arisings - All debris will be taken away and the site left in a safe and tidy condition.

2.3 Tree Replacement.

Planting - We offer a planting service where we supply tree, stake and ties or alternatively the customer can supply tree, stake and ties for us to plant.

3.0 Complaints Procedure.
Should you be dissatisfied in any way with the service, we have provided, do not hesitate to talk to the staff on site, phone or contact us in writing within 7 days of completion, We shall be pleased to meet you on site and discuss any problems.

4.0 Trading Conditions.

4.1 Quotations are binding once work starts.

4.2 Quotations remain valid for 90 days from written notification from the company; quotes may be honored after this period at the companies’ discretion.

4.3 On completion of the agreed work payment is due in full within 30 days.

4.4 The company does not offer credit terms.

4.5 Overdue accounts will be charged at a rate of 2% above base rate per month until settled in full.

4.6 The customer shall be held responsible for the proof of agreement with the local planning authority for work to trees covered by tree preservation order or conservation area legislation.
If work is done on a tree covered by one of the above the customer could be liable to a large fine, if the appropriate Authority has, not granted permission.
The company cannot work on trees unless this written proof is provided.  It is the customers’ responsibility, as the owner of the tree, to check for such legislation before engaging the company to work.

4.7 Prior to stump grinding operations, the customer must inform the company of the location of underground utilities that are not deeper than 30cms. Below ground level.  The company cannot be held responsible for damage to pipes and cables if uninformed.