Tree Surveyor: Surveys, Assessments and Reports

Our tree surveyors are typically hired by homeowners and developers that have trees on their property or site and want to ensure they are healthy, safe, and properly maintained. The duties of a tree surveyor typically include:

1. Conducting a visual tree assessment to identify their health and condition, including looking for signs of disease, damage, or decay.
2. Measuring and documenting the size, height, and location of trees, often using specialised tools such as a measuring tape, clinometer, and GPS.
3. Identifying the species of trees, as well as any potential hazards they may pose to people or property.
4. Providing recommendations for tree care and management, such as pruning, fertilization, or removal, based on their assessment.
5. Preparing reports and maps of the trees on a property, which may be used for planning and development purposes, or to comply with local regulations.

Overall, the goal of our tree surveyors is to help ensure the health and safety of protected trees, while also taking into account the needs and goals of the property owner or developer.

When requesting planning permission for a development, a tree survey may need to be undertaken. Tree surveys and tree reports will be required if a potential development site will be within close proximity to trees and woodland. These types of surveys are needed as local authorities in designated areas are required to review and assess the potential impact that a development could have on the surrounding trees if a planning application is submitted.

Tree surveys for planning are necessary as retained trees are protected under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 and the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. This protection is typically in the form of conservation areas and root protection areas.

Trees that bring a significant benefit to a local area may be protected by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO). A TPO is administered by Local Authorities and no species is automatically protected by a TPO; however, a TPO can be administered on any type of tree. Shrubs, hedges and bushes cannot be protected by a TPO.

If a tree is protected by a TPO, it becomes a criminal offence to wilfully damage, destroy, cut down, top, or lop said tree without obtaining permission from the local authority. If your development requires a tree survey, you will need the extensive range of services from one of our experienced tree surveyors in order to meet tree survey requirements to obtain planning permission.