Regular inspection of trees provides proactive assessment of tree condition and risk, helping clients meet their legal liabilities and insurance demands. It also helps extend the healthy life of an important and beautiful part of our environment.
A Tree Report is principally the result of a survey carried out by an Arborist to determine the species, site location, and overall condition of trees on a site.
The survey should be conducted by a trained and qualified arboriculturalist. He or she will be able to present the information in an easy to understand manner. All trees will be tagged with special tags and numbers. These numbers can be cross referenced with a special summary table, which reveals the meanings of these tags and numbers. Only after a tree survey should actual work start on a piece of land. A typical tree report will contain some, or all, of the following:
The content of the report will depend on the client’s specific requirements. It can be the inspection of a single tree, or a detailed report on all of the trees in an area for the purposes of client inventory, management, risk assessment, and work prioritisation. Tree reports play an important role in a number of processes, including:
If your report is intended to support an application for planning permission, it should follow the requirements set forth in the British Standard 5837: Trees In Relation To Construction – Recommendations 2012. This document outlines the best practice procedure to ensure the optimal balance between preserving existing trees (if necessary), and allowing for new development. It is the primary document by which your Local Planning Authority will assess your application. The entire procedure involves a tree survey, with a subsequent constraints plan, implications assessment for the proposal, and finally an arboricultural method statement and tree protection plan. Reports must be as accurate and as precise as possible, as they may have to be defended under cross-examination or appealed at a Public Local Enquiry. Read more about tree reports and planning permission here.
If your report is intended to support an application for planning permission, it should follow the requirements set forth in the British Standard 5837: Trees In Relation To Construction – Recommendations 2012. This document outlines the best practice procedure to ensure the optimal balance between preserving existing trees (if necessary), and allowing for new development. It is the primary document by which your Local Planning Authority will assess your application. The entire procedure involves a tree survey, with a subsequent constraints plan, implications assessment for the proposal, and finally an arboricultural method statement and tree protection plan. Reports must be as accurate and as precise as possible, as they may have to be defended under cross-examination or appealed at a Public Local Enquiry. You should also be aware of issues relating to trees and buildings or other structures, and how to approach issues relating to neighbour’s trees. Read more about the implications of trees near buildings and other structures here. If you think that trees on neighbouring properties might pose a problem in the future, read more about resolving disputes over neighbour’s trees here.
A report is likely to be required for any legal proceedings arising from tree-related damage or incidents (or to support the position that damage or other phenomena on a property were not caused by trees). This requirement could arise out of a personal injury claim, accident investigation report, boundary dispute, or an insurance claim, among others. Tree reports may be required to determine if the owner was diligent in their maintenance of trees on their property, or for legal counsel to decide if and how to proceed with, or respond to, legal action. Regardless of the circumstances, tree reports are unbiased, and carried out by an objective, qualified assessor.
What To Expect from your Tree Report Provider
Professional tree inspections and tree reports should only be carried out by a professional with the relevant experience and qualifications. A tree surgeon may not be appropriate to carry out detailed inspections or provide complex tree reports.
Any tree inspector must have professional indemnity insurance- this ensures that you, the client, are protected against negligent advice. This is often not covered by a company’s normal Public Liability Insurance. Tree Surgeons insurance in general would usually concentrate on Employers & Public Liabilities.
As a consumer, always ask questions when you are unsure of something. A good tree inspector will always be willing and able to provide answers and assurance. A sufficiently qualified inspector is most likely to be a member of the ISA, International Society of Arborists, or some other Internationally recognised body that specialises in the Care of Trees
Carrying out the work
During the initial assessment, your tree inspector will ask a number of questions and gather data to establish the type and extent of work required, whether other professionals should be involved, and the requirements and expected outcomes.
Always question your inspector on their qualifications and experience in the specific area that’s relevant to your query, and always ask about their public liability insurance.
You should then be given initial advice on what’s required for the report you’re requesting and how best to achieve this, as well as the limitations of the inspection, survey, and subsequent report. When the entire process is completed, you’ll receive a written report with the limitations, findings, and recommendations to support you laid out in a clear and concise manner.