Your responsibility as a tree owner is simple.
You are expected to take ‘reasonable’ action to prevent ‘foreseeable’ harm.
The best way to do this is to inspect all your trees for visible signs of ill health and structural defects, such as canopy dieback and broken branches. To be sure to meet your duty of care, you should do this at least once a year and especially after a storm. When I carry out an arborist inspection, I do this via the ‘Ground to crown’ method which is explained in detail in my blog post ‘Legal responsibilities for all tree owners’. (Link this please)
Here at Sabre Tree Surgery Ltd, we certainly do not charge to visually inspect trees and quote for any work to required to meet your duty of care to ‘prevent foreseeable harm’.
Professional tree inspections are only necessary if you are applying for planning permission for development or when a visible hazard has been identified and it is deemed ‘reasonable’ to have the tree’s safety further assessed and often indemnified by a Professional Tree Inspector. Otherwise, an initial arborist inspection is advisable for all trees on your property, followed by ongoing inspection by an informed tree owner or designated member of staff.
Our blank tree inspection form has prompts to help non professionals inspect their trees for visible hazards and can also be used to keep a record of your inspections.
If you require further advice give me call on
07584128652 and I will be happy to assist further.
Regards,
Jess
