The risk of harm from trees is remarkably low. However tree failures do still occur, and tree owners have a duty of care in law as regards any foreseeable risk of harm being caused by their trees to persons or property. In defending themselves following an incident caused by their trees, the best position for a tree owner to be in is to have a documented and implemented plan for the management of tree risks.
In meeting this duty of care, it is important to consider also the considerable benefits that trees bring to landscape, environment and human wellbeing. This has never been more important, with our planet in the midst of a climate crisis and the mass loss of biodiversity. Excessively cautious risk management can result in the unnecessary loss of perfectly viable trees due to perceived risks which are in fact so low as to be entirely within acceptable limits. Such overly cautious risk management is detrimental to society and the environment, but also to the financial interests of the client – as tree removal and pruning are rarely inexpensive.
Our focus is on using our extensive knowledge and experience to deliver tree risk assessments and management plans which avoid unwarranted tree losses and unnecessary costs. This requires us also to stay abreast of current policy, guidance and research in a field which is constantly evolving – we achieve this through our strong commitment to ongoing professional development training.
We deliver tree risk assessments in various formats, using assessment methodologies which include QTRA (Quantified Tree Risk Assessment) and the VALID system. Due to their focus on proportionate risk management, these methodologies are favoured by many local authorities and other landowners managing large tree populations. Our surveys vary in extent from a single tree to thousands, and we can advise on the appropriate survey format to suit your particular requirements and preferences. We are holders of the Professional Tree Inspection certificate (PTI).
If you would like to discuss tree risk assessment at your site, no matter how large or small, please do get in touch. We’re more than happy to talk through the situation and to discuss what the possible options might be.