Arboricultural Tree Inspections.
The risk posed by damaged, unhealthy or unstable trees is not always easily visible to the untrained eye.
Regardless of the type of business or organisation you work for, it is important that everyone and everything on the property you manage remains safe; this extends as much to the outside as inside, and in particular to your trees. Throughout their lifetime trees can fall victim to the effects of vandalism, disease or poor health, and the impact of pests and animals. They can also experience weakened structural integrity and obstructive roots or branches which can cause damage and risk if left unchecked.
As with all living things trees continue to grow and evolve, and much like you and I they require a routine health check-up to ensure they remain structurally safe and sound. An arboricultural tree inspection, also known as an arboricultural survey, is a visual inspection of your trees to assess any risk they may pose to people or your property.
Our team of certified arborists thoroughly examine each tree, looking for any sign of stress, disease or damage that could be, or has already become, a risk and produce a report of remedial recommendations.
What does an Arboricultural Tree Inspection include?
Each tree inspection takes our inspectors anywhere from ten minutes to two hours depending on the age, condition and type of tree, as well as the inspection you require.
- In and out of leaf inspections are seasonal check-ups for when the tree is either in bloom or bare. This allows us to assess whether the tree is healthy and free of pests and disease.
- Full annual tree inspections take place once a year and assess the full integrity of your tree, as well as its impact on its surroundings.
- Ad-hoc or emergency tree inspections are mostly important when a tree experiences considerable stress, such as being hit by lightning, severe frost or if it begins to bow or list.
We will be able to give you an idea of which survey you require when you book your tree inspection with us. Work will be undertaken with minimal disruption to you, with regular updates on our activity as required or requested. On completion of your inspection, you will be provided with a thorough, factual report of your inspection including photographic evidence of any areas of concern. You will also receive a detailed breakdown of any recommended remedial actions from an experienced inspector.
Why are Arboricultural Tree Inspections necessary?
The main purpose of an arboricultural tree inspection is to help identify vulnerable, damaged or dangerous trees before they become a problem. There are many reasons why this may happen and the implications should the risk become reality;
- Identifying potential problems early on – Pests, animals, people and even the weather can have a slow but effective impact on the structural integrity of your trees. When a tree becomes vandalised or ‘wounded’, these cuts can become infected or diseased which weaken the internal structure of the tree.
- Preventing accidents – Trees which have weakened structural integrity are much more at risk of falling or breaking as they are no longer strong enough to carry weight. This can happen at any time and usually without warning making it the biggest risk to people and property.
- Business savings – It’s often cheaper to fix a concern early on than it is to wait until risk becomes unavoidable. For example, where a tree is planted too close to a building, pathway or other manmade structure its root system can cause irreparable damage if allowed to continue to grow. In this situation it is cheaper and quicker to fell the tree, but we will always try to save the tree if we can. Your inspection will identify your options.
- Improving aesthetics – Trees that are properly cared for will look better than those that aren’t, which can improve the overall look of your property or land. This is particularly true with trees that are diseased or left to grow out of control. With routine maintenance any healthy tree can be groomed to your desired aesthetic over time.
How often should trees be inspected?
Any tree, no matter how strong, can succumb to the elements. High winds can snap branches, lightning can strike the trunk, and heavy snowfall can damage the roots.
With this in mind we like to see that most trees undergo both annual and seasonal tree inspections with one of our professional Landscape Service inspectors, to ensure new risks are identified and rectified as early as possible. All trees are unique however, and our inspectors will be happy to discuss a maintenance plan to suit both tree and budget. It is not recommended that you allow more than two years between inspections to ensure any risks are identified and monitored before they become a danger.
We also offer ad-hoc and emergency tree inspections for those occasions where you may suspect a problem or risk, such as cracked trunks, overhanging branches or fallen trees as a result of extreme weather.
Why choose Landscape Services for your arboricultural tree inspections?
Landscape Services customers benefit from an experienced in-house arboricultural team, with all works carried out in compliance with the British and European Safety Standard BS 3998. Our staff are highly qualified, fully DBS registered and rich in the knowledge needed to ensure your trees are managed and maintained in the best possible way.
Our arboricultural division operates throughout Kent, with assistance from arboricultural partnerships throughout the county offering emergency, ad-hoc and routine services all year round. We also have a complete team of qualified arborists who can support in carrying out any remedial work required, such as tree felling, crown lifting, pruning and more.
If you’re interested in finding out more about how Landscape Services can help you with managing trees on your property, contact us today.