Ever had a tree come crashing down after a storm? I seen it. A few winters back, a massive tree in a customer’s garden decided it had had enough of the Scottish weather and toppled onto his shed. That’s when I learned—not all tree surgeons are the same. Some turn up, do a rushed job, and leave a mess. Others? Lifesavers.
If you’re searching for a “tree surgeon near me” in Scotland, you want someone reliable, qualified, and—let’s be honest—not going to charge you a fortune for shoddy work. Here’s how to find the right one.
Another customer hired an unlicensed tree surgeon who claimed he was “fully trained.” Turns out, he wasn’t. The guy butchered an oak tree, left half the branches dangling, and drove off without clearing the debris. A year later, the tree was dead.
Lesson learned: Always ask for:
NPTC or ISA certifications (proper training matters).
Insurance (if they drop a branch on your car, you don’t want to foot the bill).
Reviews (Google, Facebook, Trustpilot—real customers don’t lie).
A good tree surgeon will happily show proof. If they dodge the question, walk away.
Scottish weather is brutal. Wind, rain, snow—our trees take a beating. A surgeon who’s worked tree felling in Glasgow will know:
Which species are prone to disease (like ash dieback).
Local council rules (some trees are protected—chop without permission, and you’re fined).
How to handle storm damage tree removal safely (no cowboy rigging).
Our front page video is an example of a monster of a tree leaning dangerously over the road. We used a crane, dismantled it piece by piece, and left the site spotless. The customer was super happy and all from a simple search for a Tree Surgeon Near Me on Google.
Three quotes is the golden rule. But here’s the catch—the cheapest option is often the worst. One guy quoted £300 to remove a tree. Another wanted £800. The £300 guy left roots and branches everywhere. The £800 team? Well, the neighbour didn’t have any issues and they were done in a day.
Alway ask the Tree Surgeon:
What’s included? (Stump grinding? Waste removal?).
How long will it take? (A rushed job = mistakes).
Can they show past work? (Photos, videos, even a site visit).
🚩 No written quote = dodgy.
🚩 Cash-only, no VAT = likely uninsured.
🚩 “We’ll do it tomorrow!” with no checks = risky.
A proper surgeon assesses the job first. They’ll check for power lines, weak branches, even nesting birds (disturbing wildlife can land you in trouble). Care for the environment is as much an consideration as a dangerous trees on private land is. Leaving a tree for a later part of the year will provide nature with a chance to find somewhere else nest and recover.
After a storm, rogue traders appear like clockwork. They knock on doors offering “urgent” cuts at sky-high prices.
Instead:
Call a 24/7 emergency tree service (many legit firms offer this).
Take photos for insurance.
If a tree’s blocking a road or could collapse, call the council—they’ll secure it fast.
Word of mouth is gold. We all like to know that someone can do a good job. It is no different when someone recommends a brilliant arborist. No guesswork, no stress—just a pro who knows his stuff.
So, before you Google “tree surgeon near me”, do the checks. Your garden (and wallet) will thank you.
Need a trusted recommendation? Drop your area in the comments—I’ll help if I can!