Trees are an important part of our landscapes across the UK, whether they’re in school grounds, public spaces or in our back garden. As the latest heatwave reminds us, they’re important for providing shade; they’re also crucial for wildlife and the environment, and make our outdoor spaces look much more beautiful.
However, when trees are located close to buildings and roads, footpaths or playgrounds, car parks or public access routes, they also need to be managed responsibly.
A professional tree safety survey helps identify potential hazards before they become serious risks. For schools, estates and local authorities, regular inspections are not only good practice: they are an important part of protecting the public and making informed decisions about tree maintenance.
Greg Thompson Tree Surveys & Consultancy provides professional tree safety surveys, single tree reports and arboricultural advice across Cumbria, the North West, South Wales and West Wales.
With over 25 years of experience in tree care and management, Greg offers practical, knowledgeable support for landowners, site managers, schools, businesses and public organisations.
A tree safety survey is a professional inspection of trees to assess their condition, structure and potential risks. The survey looks for signs of decay, disease, instability, storm damage, weak joints in the branches, issues with the roots and other issues that could affect the safety of the tree.
The aim is not to remove trees unnecessarily; instead, a decent survey helps identify which trees are healthy, which may need monitoring and which require remedial work. This allows the owner of the tree or site manager to make the right decisions based on the latest evidence.
Tree safety surveys can cover a single tree or a group of trees, woodlands, school grounds, large estates, public land or commercial sites. The level of detail required will depend on the site, the number of trees, the level of public access and the surrounding risks.
Schools have a responsibility to keep pupils, staff, visitors and contractors safe while on site. Trees around playgrounds, sports fields, entrances, car parks and footpaths should be inspected regularly, particularly where they are mature, close to buildings or located in areas used every day.
A tree safety survey can help schools identify:
Regular inspections can also help your school plan budgets for maintenance more effectively. Rather than reacting to problems after storms or visible damage, schools can take a planned approach to tree management.
This is especially useful for sites with older trees, protected trees, conservation area restrictions or trees that form part of the school’s character and outdoor learning environment.
Large estates, rural properties, woodlands and private grounds often contain a wide variety of trees at different ages and stages of development. Some trees may stand close to public rights of way, driveways, outbuildings, gardens or visitor routes.
For estate owners and land managers, a survey provides a clear overview of the condition of the trees across the site. It can highlight immediate safety concerns, identify trees that need periodic monitoring and provide recommendations for long-term tree care.
This is particularly important for estates with much older trees, woodland edges, busy areas or trees affected by pests, disease or environmental stress. A survey can help balance safety with conservation value, ensuring that important trees are retained wherever it is safe and practical to do so.
Greg Thompson’s experience includes amenity woodlands, veteran trees, nature conservation, tree preservation orders, conservation areas and specialist ash dieback advice, making his consultancy well suited to complex estate environments.
Local authorities are responsible for managing trees across a wide range of public spaces, including parks, highways, housing land, cemeteries, community sites, footpaths and public buildings. These areas often have high levels of public access, which means tree risk management must be organised, consistent and well documented.
A professional tree safety survey helps local authorities prioritise work based on risk. It can support maintenance planning, budget allocation and public safety responsibilities.
Tree surveys can also provide clear records of inspection, helping demonstrate that trees are being managed responsibly. This is particularly valuable where local councils are responsible for large tree populations across multiple sites.
Greg Thompson has worked on contracts for local councils and businesses, as well as organisations including the Forestry Commission and Cumbria University. This background gives him a practical understanding of the needs of public bodies, commercial clients and larger landowners.
Tree condition changes over time. A tree that appears safe one year may develop structural weaknesses, decay, disease or storm damage in the future. Weather events, soil movement, construction work, pests and disease can all affect tree stability and health.
Regular inspections help ensure that changes are spotted early. The frequency of surveys will depend on the site and the level of risk. Trees in busy public areas, school grounds or locations on the roadside may require more frequent inspections than trees areas which are rarely used.
Regular tree safety surveys can help with:
For schools, estates and local authorities, this creates a practical and responsible approach to tree management.
For larger sites, clear tree records are essential. Greg Thompson carries out tree mapping using Treeplotter™, a leading tree inventory and asset management system. This software allows trees to be recorded and viewed on a clear map, helping owners and managers understand the location, condition and age of their trees.
Tree mapping is particularly useful for schools, estates, local authorities and organisations managing multiple trees across large or complex sites. It allows recommendations and tree data to be presented in a structured, accessible format.
This can help with:
For decision-makers, Treeplotter™ provides a clear visual record that makes it easier to understand what work is needed and where.
Greg Thompson is a professional arboriculturalist with over 25 years of experience in tree care and management. Based in South Lakeland and Carmarthen, Greg undertakes work throughout Cumbria and the North West, including Lancashire, Lancaster, Manchester and Chester, as well as South Wales and West Wales.
His services include:
Greg also holds full Professional Indemnity Insurance and Public Liability Insurance, giving clients confidence that their survey is being carried out professionally and responsibly.
Whether you manage a school site, private estate, public open space or local authority tree stock, regular tree inspections are essential for responsible tree management. A professional survey provides clear guidance, practical recommendations and the information needed to make confident decisions.
Greg Thompson Tree Surveys & Consultancy provides professional tree safety surveys and arboricultural advice across Cumbria, the North West, South Wales and West Wales.
To arrange a tree safety survey or discuss your site requirements, contact Greg Thompson Tree Surveys & Consultancy today.
Lake District: 10 Main Street, Pennington, Ulverston, Cumbria, LA12 0JN
Wales: West Wales base at our tree nursery in Newcastle Emlyn
tel: 07813 784451
email: gregt.trees@gmail.com
