Tree Inspection and Risk Assessments
Not sure if a tree risk assessment is what you need? Read our guide→ Which Tree Survey Do I Need?"
Tree owners have a legal duty of care to ensure that trees on their land do not pose an unacceptable risk to people or property. This duty arises from the Occupiers' Liability Acts of 1957 and 1984, which require landowners and occupiers to take reasonable steps to identify and manage foreseeable risks from trees.
Urban Tree Management provides professional tree inspections, tree safety inspections, and risk assessments for landowners, housing associations, schools, local authorities, estates, and facilities managers across Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Cheshire, Merseyside, and nationwide.
For ongoing tree risk management systems and policies across an estate or portfolio,
Arboricultural Surveying Services
Urban Tree Management's arboricultural surveyors provide tree inspection and risk assessment services that are tailored to the specific requirements of each client and follow relevant guidance from the National Tree Safety Group and the Health and Safety Executive. Whether you manage a single garden tree or a large population of trees across multiple sites, we have the expertise and qualifications to carry out the appropriate level of assessment — from a straightforward walkover survey to a detailed individual tree inspection with specialist decay investigation.
All survey data is recorded using GPS and GIS-enabled digital tree management software, ensuring every tree is precisely mapped and all findings are methodically documented. Reports include geo-referenced tree location plans, condition ratings, risk ratings, and prioritised management recommendations, giving you a clear and defensible record of your tree stock and the actions taken to manage it.
Tree Risk Surveys
A tree risk assessment is a systematic process to identify, analyse, and evaluate the risk posed by individual trees. Risk is determined by assessing both the likelihood of a tree or part of a tree failing, and the consequences of that failure given the targets present — people, vehicles, buildings, or infrastructure. Where risk is found to exceed tolerable levels, clear management recommendations are made to reduce it to an acceptable level.
All Urban Tree Management consultants carrying out tree risk assessments are registered QTRA users — Quantified Tree Risk Assessment is the industry-leading methodology for assigning a numerical probability to tree risk, allowing risk to be compared against established tolerance thresholds and managed proportionately. This evidence-based approach provides landowners with a defensible, auditable record of how tree risk is being managed on their land.
Tree Condition Surveys
Trees in lower-risk locations may still require condition assessments to inform management decisions and support long-term tree population planning. A condition survey records the health, structure, and overall condition of each tree, identifies early signs of decline or structural weakness, and provides management recommendations proportionate to the findings.
Proactive condition monitoring allows issues to be identified and addressed before they become safety concerns, extends the life of valuable trees, and supports a sustainable, healthy tree population across your land or estate. Urban Tree Management produces condition survey reports suitable for internal management records, insurance purposes, and governance reporting.
Internal Decay Detection
Decay is a natural process that does not always indicate an unsafe tree — but the extent, type, and location of decay can significantly compromise structural integrity and increase the risk of failure. Where an initial visual inspection identifies signs of decay-causing organisms, further investigation using specialist equipment may be required to establish the true extent of internal decay before a management recommendation can be made.
Urban Tree Management uses the IML Resistograph resistance drilling tool and sonic tomography to assess internal decay, providing objective, measurable data on the condition of the wood inside the stem. These techniques allow us to accurately gauge the severity of decay, identify hollow sections, and determine the remaining wall thickness — giving us the information needed to make informed, evidence-based recommendations and develop a work specification to mitigate the risk of failure where necessary.
Aerial Tree Assessments
The majority of tree inspection work is carried out from ground level using binoculars and specialist equipment where required. However, detailed aerial inspections are commissioned when specific defects — such as decay, large wounds, cavities, splits, or crown structural issues — cannot be adequately assessed from below.
Aerial inspections allow our consultants to examine defects at close quarters, collect samples for laboratory analysis where required, and make accurate assessments of the structural condition of the upper stem and crown. Where aerial inspection reveals issues that require remedial works, the findings are documented fully in the inspection report and a specification of works is provided for commissioning by a qualified tree surgeon.
Who We Work With
Urban Tree Management carries out tree inspections and risk assessments for a wide range of clients across the North West and nationally. We work with private landowners and homeowners, housing associations and registered providers, local authorities and parish councils, schools, colleges, and multi-academy trusts, commercial estates and facilities management companies, landscape management contractors, insurance companies, and solicitors requiring expert arboricultural evidence. Whatever your tree inspection requirements, we will provide a clear, proportionate, and professionally produced report that meets your specific needs.
FAQ
Do I have a legal duty to have my trees inspected?
Tree owners have a legal duty of care under the Occupiers' Liability Acts 1957 and 1984 to take reasonable steps to identify and manage foreseeable risks from their trees. Regular proportionate inspection is the recognised way to demonstrate you have met that duty.
How often should trees be inspected?
It depends on the trees, their condition, and the level of public access around them. High-use sites such as schools, car parks, and public areas typically warrant more frequent inspection than low-use areas. We recommend an inspection interval as part of every survey — commonly every 12 to 24 months for institutional and public-access sites.
What is the difference between a tree inspection and a QTRA risk assessment?
A tree inspection assesses the condition of the trees. A QTRA — Quantified Tree Risk Assessment — goes further, assigning a numerical probability to the risk a tree poses so it can be compared against established tolerance thresholds and managed proportionately. All our consultants carrying out risk assessments are registered QTRA users.
What is a VTA?
VTA — Visual Tree Assessment — is the recognised methodology for the systematic visual inspection of trees for signs of structural weakness and decay. It is the foundation of every tree inspection we carry out, escalating to specialist decay detection only where a defect requires closer investigation.
What happens if a tree is found to be dangerous?
Where a tree presents an unacceptable risk, we provide clear, prioritised management recommendations to reduce that risk to an acceptable level — and a specification of works you can pass to a tree surgeon. As independent consultants we specify the works but do not carry them out, so our recommendations are based purely on what the tree needs.
Do you provide reports suitable for insurance and duty of care records?
Yes — every inspection produces a clear, defensible report with geo-referenced tree locations, condition and risk ratings, and prioritised recommendations, suitable for internal management records, insurance purposes, and governance reporting.
Do you inspect trees at schools and care homes?
Yes — we regularly inspect trees at schools, colleges, care homes, and healthcare sites, and Carl Riva is Enhanced DBS checked for work on these sites.
Tree Inspection & Risk Assessment — Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Cheshire & Nationwide
Urban Tree Management provides professional tree inspections, tree safety inspections, and QTRA risk assessments for landowners, housing associations, schools, local authorities, and estates across the North West. Independent, QTRA licensed, Lantra PTI certified, Enhanced DBS checked.
Get in contact with our highly experienced and personable team of arboricultural consultants today, to discuss your requirements and to obtain your zero obligation quotation.
