Have questions about the tree-report process? Here are some common queries and answers.

Q. How much does a tree report cost?

A: It depends. That’s not a very helpful answer, but the fact is that sites vary so much that it isn’t possible to provide a reliable formula.

As a very rough guide, however, prices for a typical tree safety report for, say, a surburban garden might start at around £250 + VAT. Other types of survey and report will cost differently.

We’ll be able to make a proper estimate if you let us know your site’s address, details of the land, and what trees are present.

Some disreputable outfits offer tree reports at what appears to be a bargain price, e.g. £100-£150. Frequently, they are nothing of the kind. We sometimes find ourselves brought in by clients who bought such reports, only to have found them entirely unsuitable (for example, they are rejected by the planning department).

Q. How quickly can you provide a tree report?

We provide them as quickly as possible – but there will often be other clients in the queue! A site visit by us is almost always required first: this typically takes place within three weeks of engagement. After this, it will normally take another two weeks or so to produce and supply the tree report.

We appreciate that sometimes the need for a tree report has been sprung upon you at short notice – for instance if your mortgage provider has demanded a tree report before approving lending. Depending on urgency, on your location, and on our other commitments, we’ll do our best to meet any deadlines you’re facing. It may be possible to fit your tree inspection in sooner on an ad hoc basis.

If we cannot fit you in quickly enough for your time constraints, we’ll happily recommend other reputable tree consultants that may be able to help you.

Q. I think my neighbours’ tree is causing problems. Can you put them straight?

Q. Our neighbours think my tree is causing problems. Can you put them straight?

A. Mindful of the need to maintain good neighbourly relations where at all possible, we provide the objective advice that can inject calm and rationality into what can be a heated situation. We make informed judgments as to which tree(s) may be causing problems, and come up with appropriate methods of tree management that may not have occured to either party.

If the matter needs to be taken further, we are well versed in providing tree reports containing expert testimony for insurance companies, local authorities, and ultimately the courts.

Q. I want to build near trees. Do I need a tree report?

A. Yes, almost certainly. You will need a BS5837:2012 tree report detailing the impact of your proposed development on the trees. We provide these week in, week out, drawing on our extensive knowledge of dealing with Local Planning Authority departments and our experience in landscape planning to produce proposals that maximise the chance of planning approval.

Q. Do you provide [insert type] tree reports?

A. Probably. We’ve produced some very unusual pieces of work over the years, from assisting with dendrochronology to designing the European standard for tree courses. We’re always on the lookout for stimulating new challenges – try us!

Q. Is it possible to recognise different types of trees from quite a long way away?

A. Yes, in the case of the larch.