Name, role, and site nickname?
Chris Broad, Climber / Team Leader – “Toehead”
How did you end up in tree work (wrong career turn or destiny)?
Random chance encounter, but I wish I’d started arboriculture straight from leaving school.
First day on the job – confidence or instant regret?
Not confident, but willing to try and keen to prove myself as part of the team.
Favourite tree to work on?
Lime – light, flexible and holds a hinge well.
Worst tree to work on?
Pyracantha – very spiky, tangled and hard to chip.
Biggest tree you’ve taken on – who won?
A large Yellow Poplar with a huge spread. Luckily, it was only a harsh crown reduction on one section.
Climbing, MEWP, or ground work?
Climbing – most rewarding and the most balanced strain on the body.
Preferred weapon – stump grinder, axe, back or top handle?
Top handle – takes the most skill to hit good pruning points and is the most satisfying.
Funniest moment on site so far?
Leaving a boot in a tree during an early climb.
Worst job you’ve survived?
Quarry Lane Hills in Kelsall – felt like I needed a new set of legs after that one.
Weirdest thing you’ve found in a garden or tree?
“Help” carved midway up a tree stem, completely out of reach from the ground.
One thing people always get wrong about tree surgeons?
That we don’t care about tree health or are eager to fell everything – that’s not true.
Your secret skill on the team?
Explaining our tree work to the more “refined” clients over their lunch.
Tea or coffee – and how many a day?
Tea – at least four.
Best thing about working at Frodsham Tree Solutions?
The professionalism, pride in the work and the freedom to use independent working practices to get the job done properly.
Describe the Frodsham team in three words.
Resilient, hard-working, good laugh.
If you were a tree, what would you be?
Acer – vibrant, especially in autumn.
Ambition – where do you see yourself in five years?
Still running teams and climbing trees, with stronger knowledge of tree biology and surveying.
Any top tips?
I help the team understand the importance of building rapport with customers on site to avoid mistakes or miscommunication.
Anything else you want people to know about you?
Aspiring bass player and currently learning Swedish.
Book Professional Tree Services in The North West & North Wales
For safe, responsible tree care and management across The North West & North Wales, contact Frodsham Tree Solutions today.
As we are based in the North West of England we are ideally situated to conduct tree services in Cheshire, The Wirral, Merseyside, Greater Manchester, North Wales and Lancashire.