Defects such as weak branch junctions or decay fungi can affect the structural integrity of trees. Tree failure can be catastrophic, causing death or serious harm to persons or property.

Anyone who owns, manages or rents a piece of land containing trees has a legal duty to ensure that they are in a safe condition so that foreseeable damage to people, or property, does not occur due to tree failure. (Occupiers Liability Act 1954/1980).

Commercial premises have a further obligation under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 to ensure that trees do not cause foreseeable damage.

Guidance issued by the Government, the Forestry Commission and the Arboricultural Association advises that trees are regularly inspected by a professional tree inspector. Failure to do so may leave those responsible for trees liable to be sued for negligence, should an accident occur.

Crown Arboricultural Consultants are experts at identifying potentially hazardous trees and implementing recommendations that will reduce the liability of responsible parties. Recommendations are prioritised for budgeting reasons, and an inspection frequency is drawn up so that funds are not wasted inspecting healthy trees.

A range of opportunities are available depending upon the quantity of trees and the available budget:

The cheapest type of tree survey is the walkover survey whereby all trees are inspected, but only details of those trees which are potentially hazardous are recorded. Clients with a large number of trees and a limited budget tend to favour this type of survey.

Many clients prefer to have a full inventory of the trees within their care. In which case, details of all trees are recorded.

Crown Arboricultural Consultants are also licensed users of the QTRA System (Quantified Tree Risk Assessment) and are able to offer this service if required.

Occasionally a deeper investigation is required to assess the structural integrity of parts of the tree which are not accessible from ground level. This may involve a climbed inspection or the use of specialist tools such as a resistograph, or the ultrasound Picus Tomograph machine. Click on the link below to see a clip of our principal consultant using the Picus machine.

Ivan using the Picus Tomograph to assess the extent of decay in a beech tree.