What Is a Tree Condition Survey? (And Why It Matters)

Wondering what a tree condition survey actually involves? Here’s a plain-English guide from a consulting arborist. I explain how a structured, ground-up inspection assesses roots, stem, crown and context to spot defects early and judge real-world risk to people, property, footpaths, roads and overhead wires. You’ll see what goes into a tree condition report—clear photos, health and structural notes, a sensible risk rating, and prioritised recommendations from monitoring to pruning, deadwood removal or, only if justified, removal. I also cover why inspections matter, how often to book them, and what UK duty-of-care law expects of owners and workplaces. No scare tactics—just proportionate, evidence-based advice that protects budgets, keeps valuable trees, and makes sites safer. If you manage a single garden or a wider estate, this article shows how to set inspection intervals, document decisions, and keep ahead of storms and change. Practical, human and usable, it’s the overview I wish every tree owner had. Clear, calm and free of jargon.

What Is a Tree Condition Survey? (And Why It Matters)

Last autumn I was asked to check a mature lime outside a busy corner shop. Strong stem, but one long lateral sat over the pavement where the school run funnels past twice a day. After a structured survey I rated the tree fair and the risk moderate because of target use. Instead of felling, we reduced two limbs, cleared deadwood, and set a 12-month review. Safer site, canopy kept, costs sensible.
That’s what a good tree condition survey delivers: clear, proportionate decisions you can explain to anyone.

What a Tree Condition Survey Actually Is

A tree condition survey is a systematic inspection carried out by a qualified arborist to understand health, structure, and risk in relation to the tree’s surroundings. Trees are resilient, but they and their environments change—storms, groundworks, traffic, new buildings—so a periodic check keeps you ahead of problems.

How I Inspect (plain English)

I work from the ground up and from the outside in, noting anything that affects stability or safety—and how likely anyone or anything is to be in the “drop zone.”

• Roots & buttress: movement, soil heave, root damage, decay signs.
• Lower stem: cavities, cracks, included bark, fungal bodies.
• Main stem & scaffold: old wounds, torsion cracks, weak unions, load paths.
• Crown form & vitality: dieback, sparse leafing, epicormic growth, asymmetry.
• Branch unions & tips: attachments under load, deadwood, end-weight.
• Context: proximity to buildings, footpaths, roads, play areas, streetlights, overhead wires—i.e., real targets.

Where needed I’ll note specific indicators (e.g., fungal brackets such as Ganoderma spp.) and I record site use patterns so the likelihood of impact is realistic—not guessed.

From there, I give the tree an overall condition rating (good, fair, poor, dead), a risk rating, and proportionate recommendations—from monitoring to pruning to removal if justified.

What You Get in the Report

A clear, usable document—not just a checklist.

• Tree details: species, approximate age/class, dimensions, location plan.
• Health & structural observations with photos.
• Risk assessment based on defects and target use.
• Prioritised recommendations (e.g., crown reduction of specific limbs, deadwood removal, fencing, or felling where necessary).
• Re-inspection interval so the management cycle is clear.

This isn’t paperwork for its own sake; it’s evidence that you’ve taken reasonable steps to manage tree safety.

Duty of Care (the short version)

UK law expects proportionate, sensible tree management. For most owners that means periodic inspections and acting on clear recommendations. A documented survey helps demonstrate responsible management under the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957 and, for workplaces, the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

Why Inspections Are Worth It

• Prevent accidents from unstable branches or trees.
• Protect property—buildings, walls, and underground services.
• Catch issues early before they become expensive.
• Keep good trees healthy, supporting amenity and biodiversity.

An experienced arborist will spot subtle signs the general public won’t—changes in crown density, a slight shear crack, or a buttress fungus that points to concealed decay.

FAQs (straight answers)

Do I need a tree condition survey?

If you own or manage land with trees, a survey gives peace of mind and shows you’re meeting your duty of care—especially where the public, tenants, or staff are present.

How often should trees be inspected?

• High-use sites (schools, highways, busy parks): about 12–18 months.
• Private gardens: typically every 2–3 years.
• After severe weather: book an additional check.

Is a tree survey the same as a mortgage report?

Not quite. A mortgage report focuses on property risk (e.g., subsidence). A condition survey looks more widely at health, structure, and safety in context.

Who’s qualified to do this?

Use a suitably qualified, experienced arborist. The recognised benchmark for inspectors is Professional Tree Inspection (PTI, Lantra), which is widely expected in formal or legal contexts.

Final Thoughts

A tree condition survey isn’t a tick-box exercise—it’s clear, evidence-based advice that helps you manage risk sensibly, protect property, and keep valuable trees. If you’re unsure about a particular tree—or you’re setting up a routine for an estate — I can outline a practical inspection schedule with prioritised actions and review dates.