Tree Safety Reports

Tree failure can be catastrophic, causing death or serious harm to persons or property. Under the Occupiers Liability Acts 1957 and 1984, all tree owners have a 'duty of care' in civil and criminal law to take reasonable management measures to avoid foreseeable injury or harm.Commercial premises also have a further obligation, under The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, to undertake regular tree surveys to ensure they do not cause foreseeable damage.

Guidance issued by the Government, the Forestry Commission and the Arboricultural Association advises that a tree survey is regularly undertaken by a professional tree surveyor. Failure to do so may leave those responsible liable to prosecution.

Using the Visual Tree Assessment (VTA) method, the tree safety survey and report will identify defects such as weak branch junctions or decay fungi which can affect the structural integrity of trees.

There are various methods of delivery to help keep costs down:

1. Walk-Over Tree Survey: This is the most economical type of tree survey. All trees will be inspected, but only details of those trees which are potentially hazardous are recorded within the tree report. Clients with a large number of trees and a limited budget tend to favour this type of tree survey.
2. Full Tree Survey: This is the next level of tree survey whereby details of all trees are recorded within the tree report. This type of tree survey suits clients who wish to have a full inventory of trees within their care.
3. Climbed Tree Survey: Occasionally, but rarely, defects are apparent but their extent cannot be determined during a ground level tree survey. In which case the tree surveyor may recommend that a climbed tree survey is undertaken.

To discuss your requirements further, please contact me using the details below.