Tree Surveys

O'Brien Horticulture Professional Tree Care & Landscape can undertake a Preliminary Survey of

66. Surveying Health   Safety of Trees-68

your trees, using a system of 'Visual Tree Assessment' (VTA). VTA is based on those readily observable signs of structural weakness and fungal decay evident at the time the survey was made. It does not include climbing or below ground inspections. If a more detailed inspection is required this will be highlighted in the reports recommendations.

Visual tree assessment has been the conventional method of assessment used in surveying trees for a number of years. This term describes a general approach to tree surveying using visual observation and recording, combined with experience and knowledge of tree biology and structure, to draw conclusions about tree condition. Mattheck & Breloer (1994) use the term 'Visual Tree Assessment' (under the acronym 'VTA') to describe a systematic approach that guides the inspector through a process from initial biological and mechanical observations through to diagnosis, using knowledge of failure criteria.

All surveyed trees are inspected visually for biological signs such as undersized leaves, discoloured foliage, dead branches, large or numerous cankers, fungal fruiting bodies, etc. All surveyed trees are examined for visual signs of structural weakness or of adaptive growth patterns that may represent symptoms of defects.

The location and conformation of the sound wood adjacent to a decay column are essential considerations for assessing any mechanical weakness. The assessment may be used to inform appropriate remedial action to reduce the probability of mechanical failure to an acceptable level.

The recommendations for remedial action should be been made not on one set of results alone, but on the collective evidence recorded from visual observations, together with any data obtained by the use of diagnostic devices (please refer to our Detailed Inspections page for details).

 

 

 

 

 

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O’Brien Horticulture Professional Tree Care & Landscape can undertake a Preliminary Survey of your trees, using a system of 'Visual Tree Assessment' (VTA).  VTA is based on those readily observable signs of structural weakness and fungal decay evident at the time the survey was made. It does not include climbing or below ground inspections.  If a more detailed inspection is required this will be highlighted in the reports recommendations.

 

Visual tree assessment has been the conventional method of assessment used in surveying trees for a number of years. This term describes a general approach to tree surveying using visual observation and recording, combined with experience and knowledge of tree biology and structure, to draw conclusions about tree condition. Mattheck & Breloer (1994) use the term 'Visual Tree Assessment' (under the acronym 'VTA') to describe a systematic approach that guides the inspector through a process from initial biological and mechanical observations through to diagnosis, using knowledge of failure criteria.

 

All surveyed trees are inspected visually for biological signs such as undersized leaves, discoloured foliage, dead branches, large or numerous cankers, fungal fruiting bodies, etc. All surveyed trees are examined for visual signs of structural weakness or of adaptive growth patterns that may represent symptoms of defects.

 

The location and conformation of the sound wood adjacent to a decay column are essential considerations for assessing any mechanical weakness. The assessment may be used to inform appropriate remedial action to reduce the probability of mechanical failure to an acceptable level.

 

The recommendations for remedial action should be been made not on one set of results alone, but on the collective evidence recorded from visual observations, together with any data obtained by the use of diagnostic devices (please refer to our Detailed Inspections Web page for details).