At present there are several methodologies used for amenity tree valuation in the UK, the main ones being CTLA, Helliwell, iTrees and CAVAT. They all have their strengths and weaknesses, and I am able to help clients choose the most appropriate one for their requirements and then I can carry out and report tree valuations. Alternatively, for clients on the receiving end of tree valuations, I can provide expert critique, defence or negotiation support.

 As an ex Chartered Surveyor, having dealt with statutory and non-statutory valuations for over 30 years and argued disputed cases in the Lands Tribunal and in dispute resolutions and arbitrations, I am able to pursue valuation-based cases to the highest level. I provide valuation reports for court cases where compensation or criminal damages are being pursued, either on behalf of the claimant or the defender.

I published an article examining the flaws in the CAVAT system (see my ‘Articles’ page) and my open letter to the Arboricultural Journal in 2023 systematically challenging the underlying principles has gone unanswered by the authors of CAVAT, in effect meaning that the system has not yet passed peer review and this limits the circumstances in which CAVAT can be used. A copy of the letter is available on request.