Owning trees can be a joy but can sometimes be a worry, and carries a number of legal responsibilities and duties. But…
Although much scaremongering about this can be found in the press and on the internet, in reality and in law, all that is needed by the landowner is to identify those trees which might, if they fell, pose a risk to people or property. He/she should then inspect or regularly observe such trees and identify any obvious defects or changes in the trees. Any defects posing a risk should generally be dealt with timeously and proportionately. Some incorrectly say that landowners must get the trees independently assessed, this is not true; if the landowner has sufficient time and knowledge of trees to enable them to identify such obvious defects, they can do all this themselves. But if not, they should engage someone who has. If there are large numbers of trees the landowner may want to do this anyway.
For any of this, I can carry out tree surveys that assess and explain risk in accordance with case law, guidance and current industry best practice and provide informative and decisive written reports, backed by expertise and insurance, tailored to landowner legal obligations.
Travelling from my Glasgow office I provide consultancy advice and recommendations for landowners, factors, tenants, neighbours. local authorities, housing associations, builders and utilities companies, from individual trees in gardens to whole estates, all over Scotland.
Also I can help if a property with trees is being bought or sold or leased out, a report on the condition of the trees may be required by any of the parties or a mortgage lender or insurer.
It is my professional experience and belief that there is no one perfect way to inspect, record and report on trees, and the secret to cost effective reports is in choosing the right approach for each client so that the reporting is fit for purpose without excessive or unnecessary expense. In return for a fee, you are transferring the tree risk to me and my insurers.