Tree Risk Management Surveys
Urban Tree Management is a completely independent arboricultural consultancy with no connection to any tree surgery contractor or construction company.
Every recommendation we make is based entirely on arboricultural merit — giving our clients the confidence that the advice they receive is always impartial and defensible.
We provide tree risk management surveys and cyclical inspection programmes across Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Cheshire, and the wider North West — carried out by Level 6 qualified, MArborA, QTRA licensed, and Enhanced DBS checked consultants. Our clients include L&Q, Places for People, Riverside Housing, BUPA Care Homes, Blackpool Council, and Liverpool John Moores University.
Your Duty of Care
Every landowner has a legal duty of care to ensure trees on their land do not pose an unacceptable risk. A professionally documented, regularly reviewed inspection programme is the most effective way to meet this obligation — producing the audit trail of inspection, assessment, and action that your insurers, governance teams, and legal advisors require.
How We Work
All tree risk surveys carried out by Urban Tree Management follow the Visual Tree Assessment methodology — the industry standard approach for assessing tree condition and structural integrity from ground level. Every tree is inspected for signs of structural weakness, decay, disease, and instability, with the crown, stem, root zone, and surrounding environment all assessed as part of a systematic, structured inspection process.
Where trees present elevated risk Urban Tree Management applies QTRA — Quantified Tree Risk Assessment — the industry leading methodology for assigning a numerical probability to tree risk. QTRA evaluates the probability of failure, the probability of impact, target occupancy, and the consequences of failure to produce a quantified risk figure that can be compared against established tolerance thresholds.
As Licensed QTRA Users, Urban Tree Management's consultants can demonstrate objectively whether a tree's risk level is tolerable, broadly tolerable, or intolerable — providing the defensible, evidence-based risk ratings that clients, insurers, and legal advisors require when significant tree risk is present.
Do You Need a Tree Risk Management Policy?
For housing associations, local authorities, schools, and commercial estates, a documented Tree Risk Management Policy is increasingly important for governance and insurance purposes. Urban Tree Management can advise on whether a formal policy is appropriate for your organisation and help you develop one that is proportionate and practical — without unnecessary complexity.
When Specialist Investigation is Required
Where visual assessment identifies signs of potential internal decay, Urban Tree Management deploys Arbotom sonic tomography and IML Resistograph resistance drilling to provide objective, measurable evidence of a tree's internal condition — enabling precise, evidence-based management recommendations rather than precautionary removal. See our specialist decay detection pages for full details.
FAQ
Can you make sure my trees are safe?
- We shouldn’t think of trees as either safe or unsafe as all trees carry a degree of risk of failure.
- It’s important to remember that compared to many things we do in our lives, trees present a very small chance of harm.
- Recent work commissioned by the National Tree Safety Group (the NTSG) has benchmarked the average individual fatality risk from a falling tree to the UK public for the period 1997 – 2021 at one in 14 million per year. That’s somewhere between death by lightning and being bitten by a shark.
Who is responsible for tree safety?
- Landowners have a legal duty of care under the Occupiers’ Liability Acts (1957 & 1984) to manage tree risks on their property.
- Local authorities also have responsibilities for trees on public land and highways.
How often should trees be inspected?
The NTSG (National Tree Safety Group) advises a proportionate approach:
- High-use areas (e.g., near roads or footpaths): regular inspections (e.g., every 1-3 years).
- Low-use areas (e.g., woodland or private gardens): less frequent inspections, unless concerns arise.
Am I liable if a tree on my property causes damage?
- Potentially, yes. Under UK common law, tree owners have a duty of care to others and are responsible for preventing foreseeable harm.
- Regular inspections and maintenance can help demonstrate due diligence and reduce liability.
Will my insurance cover tree-related damage?
- Most UK home insurance policies cover damage caused by falling trees due to storms or unforeseen circumstances.
- However, insurers may not cover damage if the tree was known to be in poor condition and left unmanaged.
Independent Tree Risk Management Surveys — Greater Manchester, Lancashire & Cheshire
Urban Tree Management provides professionally documented tree risk management surveys and cyclical inspection programmes for landowners of all types across the North West — QTRA licensed, Level 6 qualified, GPS-mapped, and completely independent from any tree surgery contractor.
Get in contact with our highly experienced and personable team of arboriculturists today, to discuss your requirements and to obtain your zero obligation quotation.
