Owning trees, from one to a forest, brings responsibility - a Duty of Care. A responsibility to keep users of your land, and those on neighbouring property, public highways or rights of way safe from harm. That duty includes dangerous trees which may present a risk.

UPM Tilhill provides tree survey and inspection services to landowners to assist in their management, enjoyment and understanding of the tree stock.

Why inspect your trees?

Safety and liability – owners, occupiers and those responsible for trees have a duty of care to users and neighbours who may be affected by a dangerous tree on their property. Following a number of incidents and test cases, negligence of tree inspection processes is likely to be found when a tree has not been sufficiently looked after, and where it leads to foreseeable harm. In these circumstances the owner/occupier will generally be found negligent in their Duty of Care.

Education and understanding – an inspection of trees on your site will make management easier. Our report will aid your understanding of the tree stock; help you plan for sustainable management; and, improve your understanding of the environmental and financial benefits they bring.

Building development – existing trees can enhance new development, but it is important to get the balance between mature vegetation and the needs of future occupiers. British Standard 5837: Trees in Relation to Construction 2005 requires developers to bring in an arboriculturalist at an early stage to complete a full tree survey and produce recommendations for a site.

Tree survey services

UPM Tilhill can tailor tree survey packages to suit individual sites and objectives. These may include:

• estates with areas of formal public access and roadside trees;
• woodlands with public rights of way and roadside edges;
• private properties;
• council street trees;
• safety and securing of utility supplies and public access areas; and,
• development site surveys.

Data collection

Surveys are typically carried out on handheld computers with GPS plotting the exact location of trees onto a GIS backdrop map, efficiently and accurately capturing relevant data. Clients receive a tailored report derived from this data and tailored to meet their objectives.

Management reporting

Site specific management plans can be produced from the data captured detailing work priority and costs, inspection frequency (which may vary between areas on a site) and zoning. The database created then allows trees to be colour coded or highlighted to identify the specific requirements.

Management recommendations and durations can be tailored to the specific site, and more importantly to the needs of the client.

Related services

• tree surgery and removal
• commercial landscaping
• conservation works
• noxious and injurious weed control
• planting and seeding

More information

To talk to your local office about tree survey and inspection services.