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Help & advice

Trusted tree care advice - Whether you're looking after a tree in your garden, managing trees professionally or simply want to learn more about arboriculture, our Help & Advice library brings together trusted, evidence-based guidance from the UK's leading professional body for tree care.

Wales Branch Credit Mike Higgins (10)
Wales Branch Credit Mike Higgins (10)
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Help & advice

Trusted tree care advice - Whether you're looking after a tree in your garden, managing trees professionally or simply want to learn more about arboriculture, our Help & Advice library brings together trusted, evidence-based guidance from the UK's leading professional body for tree care.

HA Training 01

What practical qualifications and training do I need?

The practical qualifications you need depend on the type of tree work you carry out.

Professional
Qualifications
HA Pesticides 26

What regulations are there for handling hazardous substances?

Hazardous substances such as fuels, oils, pesticides, and solvents must be managed safely.

Professional
Hazardous substances Regulations
HA Earprotection 26

What regulations do I need to follow to protect employees from excessive noise at work?

Noise exposure can cause permanent hearing damage.

Professional
Excessive Noise Regulations
HA Treedamage Rost Crack 2

When and why do I need to do a risk assessment?

A risk assessment is required before carrying out tree work to identify hazards, assess risks, and put appropriate control measures in place.

Professional
Health and Safety Risk Assessment
HA Trees And Countryside Or Wildlife 07

Are there any times of year when tree works should not be undertaken?

There is no single time of year when all tree work is prohibited, but some types of work should be avoided or carefully planned at certain times to protect wildlife, tree health, and comply with the law.

Public
Season
HA Trees And Countryside Or Wildlife 01 Treeroots 26

Branches or roots from my neighbour’s tree are growing over my boundary. What can I do?

Under ‘common law’, you may be able to prune branches or roots which grow over your boundary.

Public
Neighbour’s tree
HA Urban Trees 02

Are there any times of year when tree works should not be undertaken? (1)

There is no single time of year when all tree work is prohibited, but some types of work should be avoided or carefully planned at certain times to protect wildlife, tree health, and comply with the law.

Public
Season
AC 063 26

How can I diagnose problems with my tree?

Tree problems can be caused by pests, diseases, soil conditions, physical damage, or environmental stress. While some issues are easy to spot, many require professional assessment.

Public
Diagnose problems
HA Tree Damage 02

What should I do if I think a tree is dangerous?

If you’re worried that a tree may be unsafe, it’s important to act promptly but proportionately. Not all defects make a tree dangerous, this page explains how to recognise warning signs and what steps to take.

Public
Dangerous trees
HA Trees And Countryside Or Wildlife 02 Neighbourcuttingtree 26

Branches or roots from my neighbour’s tree are growing over my boundary. What can I do? (1)

Under ‘common law’, you may be able to prune branches or roots which grow over your boundary. However, you also have a legal duty to take ‘reasonable care’ whilst undertaking any works and you may be liable if you damage the tree or cause it to become unstable

Public
Neighbour’s tree
HA Hedges Cuttingayewhedge

Can I get my neighbour to cut back or reduce the height of their trees or hedge?

In most situations the simple answer is no.

Public
Neighbour’s tree Hedge
HA Trees And Development 10

Can I stop my neighbour building close to my tree?

You may be able to depending on the importance of the tree, the nature of the building proposed and distance between the proposed building and the tree in question.

Public
Neighbour’s tree
TR AK

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