This Tree Inspection Checklist outlines the most important things you should look out for when performing a tree assessment or doing a visual tree report.
Preparation for Tree Inspection
I’m sure you’ve heard of the saying “give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe”. As with tree inspection, preparation work is very important.
☑ Safety boots. Pretty straightforward, no tree works should be carried out without safety boots.
☑ Cap and shades. The weather in Singapore can be very hot and humid at times reaching a high of 36.4℃.
☑ Water bottle. With the above mentioned pointer, keeping hydrated is crucial especially if the venue of the tree to be inspected is secluded and far from civilization.
During Tree Inspection
Things to look out for while performing the tree inspection:
☑ Snapped, dangling, dried up or cracked branches.
☑ Fruiting bodies (mushroom-like growths which indicate rotting on the inside). If you spot these, do NOT remove them as the spores will disperse and spread to any healthy plants nearby. Instead, the entire branch will need removal or, depending on if the damage has already hollowed it out, the entire tree may need removal.
☑ Parasitic plants (you can spot these by their difference in leaf appearance from the tree)
☑ Visible insect infestations (termite trails look like brown sandy markings)
☑ Holes, burns and pop-outs (galls) in the leaves which are signs of insect an fungus attacks
☑ Abnormal twisting of the trunk
☑ Old pruning wounds not fully sealed which show signs of blackening with holes
☑ Bulges from the trunk may indicate internal decay
☑ Damage inflicted to the tree by humans
☑ Damage on exposed roots aboveground and decay of roots (appears as dark discolorations and soft, squishy wood)
☑ Cracks or splits in the trunk which may affect its stability
☑ Soil erosion indicated by a lowered soil level
After Tree Inspection
With all these findings, now you can go back and record it down into a report. Here at Tar Hong, we have an array of certified arborist and certified horticulturist at your disposal to see to all your landscaping needs. We hope that this Tree Inspection Checklist managed to shed some light on what we check for during a site visit.