A company has been going door-to-door across the city with leaflets, offering a '25% reduction in prices for the next two weeks only', to generate business.
The company has already cut down a protected tree in Lichfield, and is carrying out work that endangers its workers and the public.
Lichfield District Council is trying to track down the company, to take legal action against it for felling a sycamore tree that was in a garden along Beacon Street.
A reputable company would have checked with the local authority, to establish if the tree was protected.
If the company had carried out the appropriate checks, it would have discovered that the tree was not only in a conservation area, it also had a tree preservation order on it - making it illegal to carry out any work, without written consent from the council.
Councillor Neil Roberts, Lichfield District Council’s Cabinet Member for Development Services, said: “As we don’t have an address for the bogus tree surgery company, we have not been able to get hold of them so far. If anyone is approached by a company they suspect is bogus, do not use them and please contact the council straightaway.
“And remember, if you intend to do any work to a tree or near a tree in your garden, even if you are just planning to prune its branches, it is important to check with the council that the tree is not protected or in a conservation area.”
To report a suspicious tree surgery company, or to find out more about the service, contact Lichfield District Council’s arboricultural team on 01543 308207 or 01543 308185 or email protectedtrees@lichfielddc.gov.uk.
To see the Arboricultural Association’s list of approved registered contactors, visit www.trees.org.uk or visit the council’s website at www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/trees to see a list of approved contractors working in the area.
An approved contractor we have been hearing lots about is Anna Wright from ACWArb give her a ring for professional advice on 01543 484310 and mention thebestoflichfield.
