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30 Sep 98

Cowboy tree workers in Poole

BOROUGH of Poole's Leisure Services Unit has been receiving reports that bogus tree surgeons are operating in Poole.

Members of the public, the police and other local authorities have all encountered the cowboy workers.

Borough of Poole Arboricultural Officer Robert Lee said: "We would like to warn the public to be alert as these bogus operators tend to charge higher prices and give a very low quality of service. Trees are often left disfigured, destroyed or in a dangerous condition."

Advice from the Borough of Poole is:

· If you need work carried out on your trees, make sure that they are not protected by a Tree Preservation Order, are not in a Conservation Area and check if they are owned and managed by the Council. (Contact (01202) 633344.)

· Never take on workers at the doorstep. Reputable tree surgeons (arborists) can be found advertising in the usual places, eg the Yellow Pages, and will have a permanent contact number and address.

· It takes 2-3 years of full time education or many years of experience to become a good tree surgeon. There are many reputable tree surgeons in our area who charge a reasonable price for excellent work and they won't mind you getting a second quote. They are fully equipped to carry out most aspects of tree work and, importantly, they are insured.

· If the Council has agreed to carry out work on trees on or adjacent to your property, the work will be carried out by contractors working on our behalf. The contractor will, if requested, be able to show documentation relating to the work or will provide a contact name and number of someone dealing with the work at the Council offices.

· Remember, your tree may have given you pleasure for many years and could have been living for hundreds of years. It could be destroyed in minutes.
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Robert Lee, Arboricultural Officer: 01202 261333