Surveys
ah tree surgeon
Helping You Manage Tree Safety Responsibly and Legally
VALID Tree Risk Assessment & Management
Trees bring a lot of value to our landscapes – from providing oxygen and supporting wildlife to improving the look and feel of outdoor space. However, as much as trees offer benefits, they can pose risks, especially if not regularly checked.
Whether you’re a homeowner, landowner, or managing a public space, part of your responsibility is making sure your trees aren’t putting people or property at risk. That’s where we come in.
At AH Tree Surgery & Consultancy, we use the VALID Tree Risk-Benefit Management System to assess the safety of trees and offer clear, evidence-based recommendations. VALID helps ensure your trees are managed in a proportionate, legally sound and environmentally sustainable way.
Why Tree Risk Assessments Matter
While trees are an asset, they can also become dangerous due to:
- Falling branches
- Structural defects
- Root decay
- Storm damage
- Tree diseases or pests
- Proximity to roads, paths, homes, or public areas
If a tree fails and causes damage or injury, the duty holder (landowner, business, or managing authority) could be held liable. That’s why routine inspections are essential—not just for safety, but also for your peace of mind.
What is a VALID Tree Risk Assessment?
A tree risk assessment (also known as a tree condition survey) looks at a tree’s structure and health to determine any potential risks. Unlike surveys for planning permission (e.g., BS5837), a VALID risk assessment focuses on public safety and legal responsibility.
VALID stands for Visual, Accessible, Likely, Impact, and Decision – it’s a science-based, easy-to-follow system designed by leading experts in tree safety. It incorporates HSE’s Tolerability of Risk framework and ISO 31000 risk management principles, giving clear and practical guidance for tree management.
Our Process Using the VALID System
We start with a ground-level visual check of each tree, looking for obvious signs of decay, cracks, leaning, or damage.
If a potential issue is found, we assess:
- Likelihood of Failure
- Likelihood of Occupancy (people or property nearby)
- Consequences of Failure
Each tree is rated using VALID’s simple traffic light system:
Red
Unacceptable risk – action needed urgently
Amber (Not Tolerable)
Action needed soon
Amber (Tolerable)
No action needed now, but monitor
Green
Acceptable - no action needed
For complex cases, we can carry out further testing such as:
- Tree Calc
- Aerial Inspections
You’ll receive a straightforward report with:
- Risk rating for each tree
- Recommended actions (e.g. prune, monitor, remove)
- Future inspection intervals
- General tree care advice
Who We Work With
Our tree risk assessments are tailored for:
- Homeowners
- Landowners
- Schools & nurseries
- Farms & estates
- Local councils
- Public buildings
- Tree managers and agents
Whether you’re managing a large estate or a single garden tree, we’ll help you stay safe, legal, and environmentally responsible.
Mortgage Tree Reports
Helping You Make Informed Property Decisions
If you’re buying a property or already own one with trees nearby, it’s important to understand how those trees might impact your home, land, or future plans.
At AH Tree Surgery & Consultancy, we offer clear, reliable Mortgage Tree Reports to assess any risks trees may pose to buildings, foundations, driveways, and other structures. This includes checking for structural damage, overhanging limbs, subsidence concerns (especially on clay soils), and long-term maintenance issues.
Whether you’re a homeowner, buyer, or mortgage provider, our reports help you:
- Understand how nearby trees could affect the property's condition
- Identify potential risks early to avoid costly surprises
- Satisfy mortgage lender requirements for tree safety and structural risk
- Make confident, informed decisions about your investment
Why Mortgage Lenders Require Tree Reports
Many of the UK’s major mortgage lenders—including Barclays, HSBC, Santander and others—require a report from a qualified tree surveyor to confirm that there is no arboricultural reason a mortgage cannot be approved.
Mortgage providers want this assurance to ensure that trees won’t cause future damage to the property through subsidence, structural interference, or hazardous conditions. In some cases, mortgage offers are delayed or declined without this report.
To satisfy your lender, a detailed site survey is required. This includes:
- Inspection of all trees within influential proximity of the property
- A visual check of the building for signs of root-related movement or damage
- Assessment of each tree’s physiological health and structural condition
- Evaluation of any safety risks or future maintenance liabilities
We’ll then produce a clear, lender-friendly report outlining any concerns and our professional opinion on whether the trees pose a risk.
How We Provide Tree Consultancy services
While trees are an asset, they can also become dangerous due to:
If a tree fails and causes damage or injury, the duty holder (landowner, business, or managing authority) could be held liable. That’s why routine inspections are essential—not just for safety, but also for your peace of mind.
- Get a Free Quote
Contact us with a few basic details, and we’ll provide a no-obligation quote explaining exactly what’s involved. - Book Your Survey
If you’d like to go ahead, just return the booking form. One of our experienced, friendly consultants will be in touch to arrange a convenient time for your survey. - On-Site Assessment
Your property and surrounding trees will be inspected thoroughly and efficiently, without causing any disturbance. - Clear, Concise Reporting
We’ll provide a tailored report, written in plain English, with everything your mortgage provider needs to move forward.
What's Included in the report?
Our Mortgage Tree Reports are designed to be concise, professional, and tailored to the exact needs of mortgage lenders. Each report includes:
Surveyor’s Details and Qualifications
To confirm that the report has been completed by a qualified and insured arboricultural consultant.
Site Description
Including the property address, boundary layout, and proximity of trees to the building.
Tree Schedule
A table detailing relevant trees, including species, height, age class, condition, distance from structures, and comments on health or defects.
Visual Building Assessment
A brief inspection of the building for signs of structural movement or cracking that may indicate root-related subsidence.
Assessment of Risk
Clear and reasoned judgments about whether any trees pose a risk to property or people now or in the foreseeable future.
Recommendations
Where necessary, we’ll recommend practical, proportionate actions such as pruning, removal, or further investigation (e.g., soil testing or monitoring).
Professional Conclusion
A clear statement indicating whether, in our expert opinion, there is any arboricultural reason the property is unsuitable for mortgage lending.
Photographs
Supporting images of key trees and any relevant features (e.g., cracks, roots, proximity to structures).
This helps both you and your mortgage provider make fully informed decisions—and gives peace of mind when buying or selling a home.
Tree Inspections
Whether you’re a homeowner, land manager, or business owner, understanding the condition of your trees is key to staying safe and compliant.
At AH Tree Surgery & Consultancy, we carry out thorough Tree Inspections to identify issues before they become problems. From visible defects to hidden signs of stress or decay, our trained eye helps you make informed decisions about tree management.
What Our Tree Inspections Cover:
- Visual Tree Assessment (VTA) of overall health and structure
- Identification of defects such as cracks, decay, root movement or deadwood
- Assessment of risk to people, property, and infrastructure
- Reports that can support planning applications, safety checks, or insurance requirements
- Clear, practical advice on any next steps – from pruning to removal or monitoring
Our inspections are always unbiased, evidence-based, and tailored to your site. Whether it’s a single tree or a full site survey, we deliver peace of mind with every visit.
Aerial Tree Inspections
Not all tree problems can be fully understood from the ground. Cracks, cavities, or areas of concern high in the canopy often need a closer look to assess the risk properly.
At AH Tree Surgeon, we offer Aerial Tree Inspections for those situations where more detail is needed.
We’ll climb the tree to allow us to inspect hidden or hard-to-reach features up close, gathering accurate information that supports better decision-making.
What we look for:
- Signs of structural weakness in branches or unions
- Decay detection in areas that can’t be tested from the ground
- Health and stability of the crown and upper limbs
- High-quality photos and footage to support our findings
By getting above ground level, we can assess your tree with far greater accuracy, helping you stay safe, comply with your duty of care, and protect your property.
Where We Work
We’re based in Wybunbury, Nantwich and cover surrounding areas of Cheshire, including Staffordshire. If you’re not sure whether we cover your area, just drop us a message—we’re always happy to help or point you in the right direction.