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Tree Safety & Risk Assessments (QTRA)

Tree Safety & Risk Assessments Using QTRA | Professional Tree Surveys across the South West including Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset

Avoid Liability, Unexpected Costs and Tree Failures

If you’re concerned about the condition of your trees, don’t wait for a problem to develop. A professional risk assessment gives you clarity, peace of mind and a clear plan of action.
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Why Choose Dart Tree Consultancy

  • Cost‑effective, efficient surveys

  • Qualified, experienced arboricultural consultants

  • Local knowledge of Devon’s landscapes and risk profiles

  • Clear, practical reporting

  • Fast response times

  • Offices in Ipplepen and Kingsbridge for excellent coverage across the South West

Who We Work With

Our clients include:

  • Private landowners

  • Estates and farms

  • Schools and colleges

  • Parish and town councils

  • Holiday parks and leisure sites

  • Commercial property managers

You can view more about our clients on our website.

What You Receive

Every Tree Safety Survey includes:

  • A QTRA‑based risk rating for each assessed tree

  • Clear explanation of risk categories

  • Prioritised list of recommended works

  • Photographs (optional)

  • Guidance on legal responsibilities

  • Practical advice on long‑term tree management

Our Tree Safety Survey Process

We make the process simple, transparent and efficient.

1. Site Visit & Visual Assessment

We assess each tree based on its condition, surroundings and potential targets.

2. QTRA Risk Calculation

Each tree is assigned a quantified risk rating using the QTRA methodology.

3. Clear, Prioritised Recommendations

Where necessary, we specify remedial works to reduce risk to an appropriate and agreed level.

4. Digital Report for Your Records

You receive a clear, easy‑to‑understand report that can be shared with insurers, contractors or management teams.

Why Tree Safety Matters

Tree owners and managers have a legal duty to ensure, as far as reasonably practicable, that people and property are not exposed to unacceptable levels of risk from tree failure. A structured, professional risk assessment helps you:

  • Demonstrate responsible management

  • Reduce liability

  • Identify urgent issues early

  • Plan maintenance budgets effectively

  • Protect the long‑term value of your trees

 

What is QTRA

QTRA applies established risk‑management principles (ISO 31000:2009) to tree safety. Instead of labelling trees as simply “safe” or “unsafe”, QTRA quantifies the actual risk of harm as a probability. This allows you to make informed, balanced decisions that consider both tree value and public safety.

QTRA evaluates three key components:

  • Target – the people, vehicles or property that could be affected

  • Size – the potential impact if failure occurs

  • Probability of Failure – the likelihood of a branch or tree failing

These factors combine to produce a clear, numerical risk rating that helps you prioritise work logically and cost‑effectively.

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Professional, cost‑effective tree safety surveys across Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset

Our qualified arboricultural consultants provide clear, practical Tree Safety Surveys using the Quantified Tree Risk Assessment (QTRA) methodology. This approach allows us to spend more time assessing your trees on site and less time recording unnecessary data, giving you accurate, value‑for‑money risk assessments that help you meet your legal responsibilities.

Why Choose Dart Tree Consultancy?

Areas We Cover

Cornwall

Bodmin, Bude, Callington, Camborne, Camelford, Falmouth, Fowey, Hayle, Helston, Launceston, Liskeard, Looe, Lostwithiel, Marazion, Newquay, Padstow, Penryn, Penzance, Redruth, Saltash, St Austell, St Ives, Torpoint, Truro, Wadebridge and all surrounding areas.

Devon

Ashburton, Axminster, Barnstaple, Bideford, Brixham, Braunton, Brixham, Chagford, Crediton, Cullompton, Dawlish, Dartmouth, Exmouth, Exeter, Great Torrington, Holsworthy, Honiton, Ilfracombe, Kingsbridge, Lynton, Lynmouth, Moretonhampstead, Newton Abbot, North Tawton, Okehampton, Paignton, Plymouth, Salcombe, Seaton, Sidmouth, South Brent, South Molton, Tavistock, Teignmouth, Tiverton, Torquay, Totnes and all surrounding areas.

Somerset

Axbridge, Bath, Bridgwater, Bruton, Burnham-on-Sea, Castle Cary, Chard, Cheddar, Clevedon, Crewkerne, Dulverton, Frome, Glastonbury, Highbridge, Ilminster, Keynsham, Langport, Minehead, Nailsea, Portishead, Radstock, Shepton Mallet, Somerton, South Petherton, Street, Taunton, Watchet, Wellington, Wells, Weston-super-Mare, Williton, Wincanton, Yeovil

Dorset

Beaminster, Blandford Forum, Bournemouth, Bridport, Christchurch, Dorchester, Ferndown, Gillingham, Lyme Regis, Poole, Shaftesbury, Sherborne, Stalbridge, Sturminster Newton, Swanage, Verwood, Wareham, Weymouth, Wimborne Minster and all surrounding areas.

Arboricultural Consultancy, Tree Surveys & Planning Frequently Asked Questions

If your site has trees on or near the boundary, most Local Authorities require a BS5837 survey before validating a planning application. This applies to extensions, new builds, conversions, access changes and larger developments. The survey identifies tree constraints and ensures your design complies with planning policy.

A full BS5837 package typically includes:

  • Tree survey schedule

  • Tree constraints plan (TCP)

  • Arboricultural Impact Assessment (AIA)

  • Tree Protection Plan (TPP)

  • Arboricultural Method Statement (AMS)

  • Site monitoring (if required) These documents support your planning application from design through to construction.

 

Costs vary depending on site size, number of trees and the level of reporting required. BS5837 surveys are typically more detailed than safety inspections. We provide clear, fixed‑fee quotes before any work begins.

Absolutely. We regularly work alongside architects, planning consultants, developers and Local Authorities to resolve tree‑related constraints and support successful planning outcomes.

A tree risk assessment evaluates the likelihood of tree failure and the potential consequences. It helps landowners manage risk responsibly and proportionately. We use QTRA‑based principles to ensure assessments are evidence‑led and cost‑effective.

Inspection frequency depends on tree condition, location and usage of the surrounding area. Typical re‑inspection cycles range from 1–5 years. We provide tailored recommendations based on risk level.

 

Yes. We assist with:

  • TPO applications

  • Objections

  • Works to trees in Conservation Areas

  • Advice on protected tree management, our reports are designed to meet Local Authority requirements.

Yes. We are a fully independent consultancy and not linked to any tree surgery company. Our recommendations are always in the best interests of you and your trees.

 

Yes, we have Professional Indemnity insurance to £2,000,000 and Public liability insurance to £2,000,000.

We operate throughout Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset and sometimes further afield. Get in touch to see if we can help in your area.

What our customers have to Say

Working with Stewart was a pleasure. He knows everything there is to know about trees and provided prompt useful guidance for the development of our site. Highly recommend.

Keith Edwards, Devon

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