Many sites require tree surveys to be carried out. This is to provide information to highlight any works that are required to be carried out as a matter of safety, and is written as a spreadsheet showing species, faults, work specifications etc. The trees are numbered and usually this corresponds to a site plan showing trees and their individual or group canopy sizes. Mortgage companies will often require tree inspections, assessing also the root spread and structure and the impact on the building.

A climbing inspection with a combined inspection using binoculars from the ground will identify faults more clearly than a visual inspection from the ground only.

Trees should be inspected annually or every six months in busy areas.