Experienced tree surveyors and consultants
Get a comprehensive tree assessment, arboricultural report and expert advice from an Arboricultural Association Approved supplier
- Early detection of potential issues
- Fully covered by insurance
- Expert arboriculture advice
Cover your legal duty with us
Certain species of trees have become sparse in later years due to over harvesting making their protection a priority.
As a result, anyone looking to clear or develop land with trees may be required to get tree surveys and report, for planning applications and safety surveys to arboricultural reports for mortgage approval.
Professional tree surveys for every situation
Gristwood & Toms offers a comprehensive range of tree consultancy services throughout England to homeowners, local authorities, businesses and developers.
Our skilled team will tailor tree surveys to meet your needs and can provide the following:
- Tree health and safety condition surveys
- Mortgage tree reports (pre-purchase tree survey)
- Tree surveys for planning and development applications (BS5837:2012, Arboricultural Impact Assessment, Arboricultural Method Statement, Ecological Surveys)
- Structural Damage & Subsidence Tree Reports
- Tree decay detection testing via PiCUS or IML Resi-Drill
Whether you need a tree survey for mortgage approval or for planning and development purposes, all our reports are prepared by professional arboricultural surveyors who have inspected over 200,000 trees. You’re in safe hands.

✓ UK wide coverage - local expertise
✓ Award winning knowledgeable team - experienced in all aspects of tree health, our tree consultants survey over 200,000 trees annually
✓ Personalised approach - each tree survey is tailored to your specific needs
✓ Fully insured arborist services - ensuring confidence and peace of mind
The straightforward approach to tree management
Contact
Tell us about your requirements and we’ll get back to promptly.
- Local experts
- Calls returned within 24 hours (Mon - Fri)
Survey
Fill out the booking form and email it back to us, and we'll schedule your survey and get started right away.
Report
Once your survey is complete, we will write your report and send it over to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What types of tree survey services do you offer?
Tree hazard assessments - Standard type of inspection providing you with a management report of your tree stock with map/s of the site indicating individual tree locations and prescribing remedial works where required. All trees are inspected using the Visual Tree Assessment method
Aerial tree inspection - involve a qualified climbing arborist ascending a tree to inspect potential structural defects initially identified during a full asset inventory survey. Tools such as a sounding mallet, probe, endoscope and camera may be used.
BS 5837 development site surveys - a site visit is arranged to assess and categorise all trees likely to be affected by a proposed development in accordance with the British Standard 5837:2012.
Arboricultural subsidence report - a surveyor will attend and conduct a site visit and provide a subsequent report on trees alleged to have caused or contributing to damage to owners or neighbouring property. Before this type of work can take place, the owner of the property where damage has occurred, should have contacted their insurance company who in turn will instruct some, if not all of the following documentation to be produced and will need to be submitted to Gristwood & Toms before survey work can take place:
- Structural engineers report
- Bore hole testing
- Crack monitoring tests
- Soil sample tests
- Root sample tests
Internal decay detection testing - We use PiCUS testing - a non-invasive method of in which readings are used to create a tomogram, which shows the consistency of the wood within the tree and identifies areas of decay. The cost of PiCUS testing depends on what and how many tests are required. More than one section of tree can be tested and 360-degree access to the area/s requiring testing is always required. Our arboricultural consultants also offer the use of resistograph to determine if the tree is hollow, decayed, or solid.
- What sort of information is included in a tree survey report?
The arboricultural report will include a variety of data on the trees within the area.
Below are typical information a tree survey includes:
- Tree number - Individually assigned to each tree/tree group or hedgerow
- Location - Brief detailed location description within the site of each tree/tree group or hedgerow
- Site features - Pertinent to each tree/tree group or hedgerow (listed if multiple of and including notes per site feature if considered appropriate to explain and inform further)
- Tree species – Common and scientific names provided
- Height – Overall height in metres (approx.)
- Crown spread – Overall spread in meters (approx.)
- Stem diameter at breast height - In centimetres (measured)
- Tree defects - Listed if multiple of and including notes per defect if considered appropriate to explain and inform further
- Condition - Good, Fair, Poor, or Dead
- Recommendations - Listed if multiple of and including notes per recommendation if considered appropriate to explain and inform further
- Priority – priority of recommended tree works (with priority timescale explanation provided with report document)
- Date of inspection – Per tree/tree group or hedgerow
- Date of next inspection - Per tree/tree group or hedgerow
- When should tree survey be carried out?
A tree survey, also known as tree mapping, collects arboricultural data about the tree population within a specific site. This information can be tailored to meet the specific needs of a project and is often used by:
- Councils or property managers - to create electronic tree databases for tracking inspections, scheduling maintenance, or implementing tree management plans
- Homebuyers – for whom arboricultural report can identify any risks and potential legal issues, and highlight any urgent defects
Conducting a tree survey before construction or house purchase is essential, as it provides a detailed assessment of the size, health, and condition of the existing trees, including their species, age, and any damage or decay in the trunk, branches, or roots.
The survey should also evaluate trees and other vegetation in the immediate surroundings to identify potential hazards, such as root interference or trees requiring removal or relocation. It also assesses project’s potential impact on local wildlife and nearby habitats, helping to mitigate risks like animal displacement or disruption of the local habitat.
- How long does it take to prepare an arborist report?
Typically, you can expect to receive your tree report within 5 days after the survey. However, the exact turnaround time may vary based on the complexity of your site and the number of trees assessed.
- How long does a tree survey inspection take?
The duration of a tree survey can vary depending on the size of your site and the specific information required. While most developments fall into the categories of 1-20, 21-50, or 51-100 trees, the actual time on-site for the inspection is typically around a day for all these ranges.
Once the inspection is complete, we usually spend a couple of days preparing a detailed tree report tailored to your needs.

Consult with an arborist.
Contact us or call us on 03458 731 500 to learn more about our arboriculture services and/or to schedule a consulation.
Find out more about our other services - download our brochure.
