Chris Dale met owner Matt Vaughan. Based in (the aptly named) Beech Road, Thame. Four Seasons Tree Care have been looking after our trees and hedges for over 25 years.
I’m talking to Matt Vaughan, Managing Director of Four Seasons Tree Care, and it’s clear he is passionate about his work and proud of his business.
Operating for over 25 years, Four Seasons Tree Care now employs a core team of five full time arborists. “I’m extremely proud of the team we have assembled,” says Matt. They are all excellent at their job, all college trained in arboriculture and share my passion for the work that we do. They are also friends as well as work colleagues,” he adds.
Four Seasons Tree Care are specialists in all aspects of tree work. “Our work is varied and interesting. We have worked on some of Oxfordshire’s largest, oldest and rarest trees on private estates, Oxford college grounds, parkland and gardens. The team are often tasked with the careful removal of large trees from well-tended gardens, says Matt.
’We have a wealth of experience and specialist machinery to tackle these jobs safely and efficiently,” he adds. The team also prune and shape trees of every variety to better suit their environment. This might be smaller ornamental species in a modest garden or larger parkland trees where public safety is a primary concern.
‘’But its not all about tree surgery and felling’’ says Matt. ‘’We also supply and plant a range of beautiful specimen trees and hedges. It feels good to be planting new trees for the next generation to enjoy.’’
From a background in conservation and country parks, Matt moved into the arboricultural industry in 1987 to become a professional tree surgeon. The hurricane of October 1987 which devastated much of the south hit the UK in October of that same year. Matt reflects “This event presented plenty of challenges and a very steep learning curve for a young tree surgeon!’’ In 1993 Matt won the Arboricultural Association Top Student Award whilst studying arboriculture at the renowned Merrist Wood College. Matt continues to feed his passion for trees, keeping abreast of current research and developments through regular attendance at workshops, seminars and lectures.
As for the supporting team at Four Seasons Tree Care, there can be no doubt of their skills and competence. In 2010, the company was awarded Approved Contractor status from the Arboricultural Association. This involved going through a rigorous inspection looking closely at all aspects of the company’s performance. They were assessed on their customer care and administration, quality and standards of work, health & safety and staff training.
The Approved Contractor scheme also requires a broad knowledge of pests and diseases, the law around Tree Preservation Orders and planning and other relevant topics. The company is re-assessed regularly to ensure that the high standards are maintained. Matt is rightly proud of this Approved Contractor status as it sets his company apart from the many other tree work companies in the area.
“We want our customers to understand that we are a company that will go the extra mile to ensure that we provide a great service. To that end we are also approved by the Which? consumer organisation and the government backed Trusted Trader scheme. The company carries further endorements under the CHAS and Safe Contractor schemes too,” says Matt.
Even more important to him, and all the team, is the excellent customer feedback. The arborist team understand that client satisfaction begins with respect for the client’s priorities and preferences.
A love of the job and a desire to be the best drives Matt on. Not resting on its laurels, Four Seasons Tree Care have just gone through a re-branding. “We are a thoroughly professional company, aspiring to be the best, and we want to look the part,” says Matt. “With more than a few tree companies working out there, it can be hard for the client to see the wood for the trees!” So, he reasons, why look beyond Four Seasons Tree Care?
