bmtreeconsultancy

Tree Safety Inspections

Professional Tree Risk Assessments for Public and Private Land

At Black Mountains Tree Consultancy we provide detailed Tree Safety Inspections for landowners, estate managers, and organisations who need to understand and reduce tree-related risks. Whether you’re concerned about a single tree near a property or overseeing a large site with public access, tree safety is a key part of responsible management.

Carried out by a professionally accredited tree inspector, our inspections combine in-depth knowledge with a practical, site-specific approach. All assessments are fully documented, prioritised by risk level, and tailored to meet your legal responsibilities under Occupiers’ Liability Acts (1957 & 1984).

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Tree care professionals working outdoors among trees
Black Mountains trees landscape outdoors

Why Tree Safety Inspections Matter

Trees are living, ever-changing structures. They bring enormous value to our landscapes and wildlife, but they can also fail particularly during storms, high winds, or periods of decline. As a landowner or duty holder, you have a legal responsibility to take reasonable measures to ensure the trees on your property do not present a foreseeable risk to people or property.

Our inspections help you:
  • Identify deadwood, decay, fungal infections, or structural weaknesses
  • Assess likelihood of failure and potential targets
  • Prioritise works based on risk severity
  • Maintain a defensible position in case of an incident
  • Fulfil duty of care under civil law
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What Our Inspections Include

Every site is different. We adapt our inspection method depending on the nature of the site, access, tree population, and usage level. Surveys may include:
  • Entire site assessments evaluating your trees for health, vitality and structural weakness, in relation to their location and target value
  • Detailed individual tree inspections
  • Climbing inspections for high-risk or particularly valuable trees
  • Decay detection tools (e.g. mallets, probes, resistograph, or PICUS investigations)
  • Assessment of ground and rooting conditions
  • Tagged trees and GIS mapping
  • Clear, prioritised reports with easy to implement management recommendations
We use the internationally recognised ‘Quantified Tree Risk Assessment’ (QTRA) system for assessing the risks posed by your trees, or can provide risk ratings using our in-house method. Either system is easy to understand and simple to implement, ensuring decision making is aligned with current best practice and duty of care compliant.
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Tree inspection assessment outdoors

Benefits of the Quantified Tree Risk Assessment (QTRA) method:

Our lead consultant is a registered user of the QTRA method and has many years experience at implementing the system.

QTRA (Quantified Tree Risk Assessment) is a system that helps tree managers and individual tree owners make informed, balanced decisions about the need for tree works-especially when it comes to safety.

Benefits and advantages of QRTA services graphic
What is QTRA?
QTRA is a structured method that evaluates the risk posed by a tree in a measurable way. It considers three key factors:
  • The likelihood of tree failure – How likely is it that a branch or the whole tree might fall?
  • The size of the part that could fail – Would it be large enough to cause harm?
  • The likelihood of a target being hit – How often are people, vehicles, or buildings in the area?
These factors are combined to calculate a numerical risk rating, which helps determine whether action is needed and if so, how urgent it is.
Using QTRA helps you:
  • Avoid unnecessary tree work by putting risk in perspective—many trees may appear dangerous but pose very low risk.
  • Prioritise tree maintenance based on actual levels of risk, focusing resources where they matter most.
  • Support safety decisions with a consistent, professional framework recognized across the industry.
  • Provide documentation that demonstrates your duty of care has been met in a reasonable and proportionate way.
When a QTRA assessment is carried out:
  • A qualified assessor will inspect your tree(s) and surrounding area.
  • You'll receive a clear explanation of the risk level and the necessity for action in relation to Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidelines, ensuring that risk management decisions are defensible and aligned with public safety standards.
  • Recommendations, if any, will be proportionate to the actual risk helping preserve valuable trees where possible.

Who We Work With

Our Tree Safety Inspections are suitable for:
  • Private homeowners
  • Estate managers & Farms
  • Schools, Colleges & Universities
  • Parish, Town & Community Councils
  • Dioceses, Churches & Cemeteries
  • Areas of public recreation
  • Hospitals & care homes
  • Housing associations
  • Commercial landlords
  • Holiday parks, venues & public attractions
Whether you have a mature oak near a car park or an avenue of trees beside a footpath, we can help you manage risk while retaining tree value.

When to Book an Inspection

Regular inspections are best practice, but there are key times when a survey should be prioritised:
  • After storm or wind damage
  • If fungal growth or dieback is visible
  • Before buying/selling property
  • Following complaints or incidents
  • When trees are near highways, schools, or public paths
  • If a particularly high value tree hasn’t been inspected for many years
We also provide post-inspection support, including referring trusted arborists for works, liaising with local authorities, or producing follow-up reports.

Book Your Tree Safety Inspection

We cover all of Wales, the West Midlands, South West England and beyond. Whether you require a one-off inspection or ongoing tree risk management, we offer professional advice and reports tailored to your setting.

Take control of tree risk today.

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FAQ: Tree Safety Inspections

How often should I have my trees inspected?
It depends on your site type and risk level. Typically every 1–3 years, or after major weather events. Higher-risk sites (schools, highways) may require more frequent checks.
Yes — if the tree is near property, a road, or public access, a safety inspection helps you understand and mitigate potential risks.
We visually assess each tree’s structure, health, and surroundings. If needed, we’ll recommend further tools (e.g. decay testing) or climbing inspections.
Yes — but only if it’s necessary. Our reports are independent, and we always prioritise retention and remedial action where possible.
No — we are an independent consultancy. However, we can refer reliable local contractors and oversee the works if required.
Yes — all inspections are carried out by a Royal Forestry Society (RFS) and Lantra-accredited Professional Tree Inspector with over 20 years’ arboricultural experience.
Absolutely. Our reports are clear, risk-rated, and include photographs, maps, and prioritised management advice.
Costs vary depending on the number of trees, site size, and access. Contact us for a free quote tailored to your needs.
Yes. We can inspect protected trees and provide evidence for applications if any works are needed.
No — safety inspections are separate from BS5837 planning surveys. However, we offer those too. View our Planning Surveys page.