Tree Decay Tests in Banstead, Caterham and the Surrounding Surrey Area
If a tree is decayed, it will have compromised wood tissue or a weak structural integrity. This can create a safety hazard, especially if high winds or storms are expected because limbs – or an entire tree – can fall to the ground and cause injuries to people. Furthermore, a falling tree can result in expensive damage to nearby properties.
Tree decay tests can help in alleviating your worries.
If you have concerns over decayed trees and need our dependable team of consultants to address an issue, we ask that you call us today.
Individual areas covered by our company include:
Banstead | Caterham | Coulsdon | Croydon | Epsom | Purley | Redhill | Reigate | Sanderstead | Sutton | Warlingham | Whyteleafe | Surrey
We also specialise in school tree tests and tree stability tests.
W.J. Kent Tree Consultants Ltd manages risk, locating decayed trees in high-traffic areas which could present a danger to people and to property. The objective of tree decay tests is to prevent accidents and structural collapses. A visual inspection, by itself, will often be inconclusive. Testing tells a consultant if the tree will need to be removed, or if it can be retained through formative pruning.
Tree decay tests can be undertaken in conservation areas, and around the grounds of heritage properties, in a more sensitive manner.
Initial Inspections
On visiting a property, our consultants search for indicators in the external appearances of your trees, such as abnormalities, cavities, fungus and swelled bark. Sounding is also undertaken, using a wooden mallet to tap the trunk whilst listening out for acoustic resonance.
Whereas healthy wood produces a solid thud, decayed or hollowed wood on a diseased tree will produce a duller sound with a lower pitch.
Diagnostic Testing
Micro-drilling during tree decay tests sees a consultant inserting a needle into the tree. Machinery graphs the resistance and tells the operator exactly where soft spots are located and, of course, where areas of unaffected wood begin and end. Healthy wood in the tree can resist the drill well. Decayed or hollow wood will need less effort.
Sonic topography is non-invasive and sees sensors attached to trunks which, when tapped by a mallet, records the amount of time it takes for the sound waves to travel through the wood. Sound waves usually travel faster through solid wood than they do through decayed wood.
Software produces a colour-coded 2D cross-section of the interior.
With tree surgery services available in all parts of Surrey, we will undertake tree decay tests in any location across the county. Use us for support in Banstead, Caterham, Coulsdon, Croydon, Epsom, Purley, Redhill, Reigate, Sanderstead, Sutton, Warlingham, Whyteleafe or the surrounding areas knowing that safety will always be our priority.
W.J. Kent Tree Consultants Ltd is ready and waiting to assist you.
Choose us for the following
- Tree Stability Surveys
- Tree Stability Tests
- School Tree Tests
- School Tree Surveys
- Decay Surveys and Tests
Should you suspect decay, or any other issue related to a tree, pick up the phone and call our consultants to make a prompt booking.