Beware rogue tree surgeons operating in and around Derby

Published: 12 December 2020

Derby City Council Trading Standards team is alerting Derby residents to rogue tree surgeons operating in the Derby area.

The team have received several reports of individuals claiming to work for the Council but charging large sums of money to remove or cut trees. In most reports the individuals target trees on council land with branches overhanging residents’ gardens and offering to cut them for a charge sometimes in excess of £1,000.

Trading Standards are warning residents to beware should anyone turn up on the doorstep offering their services. The council has no connection to these tree surgeons and does not offer to do work in this way.

If you are considering arboriculture gardening works please consider taking advice from the Arboriculture Association where help and advice is available, and you should never remove a tree without the correct permissions as some trees may have preservation orders attached to them that you are unaware of.

You can also refer to a directory of trading standards approved businesses called ‘Buy with Confidence’ as these businesses are vetted.

Councillor Jonathan Smale, Cabinet Member for Communities, Neighbourhoods and Streetpride said:

The winter season is an ideal time for tree cutting and so these traders are a particular nuisance in the winter months.

The Council do not send tree surgeons knocking on doors and charging people to cut trees in this way so please do be wary if you receive such an offer

We encourage residents to report any suspicious incidents through Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0800 144 8848

Community, Public safety