A gardener maintains a garden. A tree surgeon works on trees, at height, where the consequences of getting it wrong are structural.
If the work involves climbing, chainsaws at height, branches over a building, or a tree that could damage something when it comes down — you need a tree surgeon.
If it is planting, weeding, borders, mowing and general upkeep — a gardener. Hedges, low pruning and clearance sit in the overlap, and either may be right.
| Job | Who |
|---|---|
| Mowing, weeding, borders, planting | Gardener |
| Light pruning from the ground | Either |
| Hedge cutting | Either — a tall or overgrown hedge leans to a tree surgeon |
| Any climbing work | Tree surgeon |
| Chainsaw work at height | Tree surgeon |
| Felling | Tree surgeon |
| Crown reduction, thinning, lifting | Tree surgeon |
| Work near buildings or cables | Tree surgeon |
| Stump grinding | Tree surgeon or specialist |
| Dead or unstable trees | Tree surgeon |
| Protected trees | Tree surgeon — the paperwork matters |
Tell us what you need and we will arrange a free quotation.
Plenty of work sits comfortably in the middle. A good gardener can cut a hedge, prune a small ornamental tree from the ground, clear a border and keep a garden in order — and will often do it better and cheaper than a tree crew, because it is what they do every day. Nobody benefits from sending a three-person crew with a chipper to prune an apple tree. The question is not who is more skilled but which skill the job actually needs.
See what our tree surgery service covers in Keynsham, or read more about the service across the areas we work in.
If the work involves climbing, chainsaws at height, branches over a building or a tree that could cause damage coming down, you need a tree surgeon. Planting, borders, mowing and general upkeep is a gardener.
Either can, and for a normal garden hedge a gardener is often the sensible choice. A very tall or badly overgrown hedge is closer to tree work.
Insurance and permanence. Tree work near buildings carries real risk, and bad pruning cannot be undone — a topped tree stays topped for life.
Whether they are insured for tree work at height and to see the certificate, what qualifications the climbers hold, whether they have checked for a TPO, and exactly what they will remove.
A ladder propped against the tree, a quote far below all others with no mention of insurance, or a proposal to simply take the top off.
Yes, and where a project spans clearance, tree work, hedges, fencing and turf it is simpler — one set-up, correct sequencing and one point of accountability.
For work a gardener can properly do, usually yes — there is no sense sending a crew and chipper to prune an apple tree. For tree work at height, the comparison is not like for like.
A tree surgeon, who will understand the notice and consent process and how to work within what the council permits.
Need tree surgery, hedge maintenance, fencing, garden clearance, turfing or power washing? Complete the form and tell us what work you require.
