Are the Trees on Your Site Safe?
Understanding Your Responsibilities as a Tree Owner
Trees are a huge asset to schools, businesses and public spaces. They provide shade, character, wildlife habitat and environmental benefits.
But owning or managing land with trees also brings responsibilities.
For schools in particular, trees are often located alongside playgrounds, footpaths, car parks, sports pitches and entrances – areas where pupils, staff, parents and visitors may be present every day.
The question we often ask site managers is a simple one:
When were your trees last professionally inspected?
Your responsibility as a tree owner
Anyone responsible for land containing trees has a duty to take reasonable care to manage foreseeable risks.
That doesn't mean every tree needs an expensive detailed inspection every year, nor does it mean removing trees simply because they present some level of risk. Trees are living structures and some level of risk is unavoidable.
What matters is having a proportionate and documented approach to tree safety.
For a school or similar organisation, this should normally include knowing what trees you are responsible for, periodically inspecting them, recording their condition and acting on significant defects or recommendations identified.
Having a proper inspection regime also provides an important record showing that tree safety is being actively managed rather than simply reacted to when something goes wrong.
What does a professional tree survey involve?
Beechwood's tree surveyors can inspect trees across your site and provide a clear record of their condition and any works that may be required.
Depending on the site and scope, this can include:
identification and condition assessment of individual trees;
identification of significant defects, disease or structural concerns;
recommendations for pruning, removal or further investigation where appropriate;
prioritisation of works according to urgency;
mapping and recording of tree locations;
recommendations for future inspections and ongoing management.
Where a visual inspection identifies something that requires further investigation, we can also provide more specialist assessment where appropriate.
Most importantly, the survey gives the person responsible for the site a clear, practical record of what has been inspected and what needs to happen next.
It doesn't have to be expensive
One of the misconceptions around tree surveying is that it will automatically be a significant cost.
For smaller sites with fewer than 50 trees, surveys can start from as little as £450 + VAT, depending on location, site conditions and the scope of survey required.
For a school, that can provide an independent professional assessment of the trees across the site and help establish a sensible ongoing inspection programme.
More than just the survey
One advantage of working with Beechwood is that we can support the entire process.
Our team can provide the initial tree survey and recommendations, help prioritise any works identified and, where required, provide qualified arboricultural teams to undertake those works safely.
We can also support schools with ongoing tree management rather than treating the survey as a one-off exercise.
That means you have a clear record of your trees, understand what needs attention and can plan future expenditure rather than waiting for tree issues to become emergencies.
When did you last check yours?
If you're responsible for a school, academy, commercial site or other property with trees and you're unsure when they were last professionally inspected, it's worth checking.
A straightforward tree survey can give you a much clearer picture of their condition, what needs doing now and what can simply continue to be monitored.
For sites with fewer than 50 trees, surveys can start from £450 + VAT, subject to location and scope.
Get in touch with Beechwood Trees & Landscapes and we can advise on the right level of survey for your site.
