Safety is the prime consideration where trees grow close to areas used by people. Simon carries out safety inspections for a wide range of tree owners, including councils and private individuals. These follow the guidelines in the publications by the Health & Safety Executive and the National Tree Safety Group [NTSG] on the common sense risk management of trees. Structural problems in trees are not always obvious and he uses some of the latest equipment for detecting internal decay and other defects, including the Resistograph™ microdrill. In May 2014 he was the arboricultural expert witness for the second defendant in the case of Stagecoach -v- Hinds and Steel, which was held over four days at the High Court in London. It involved a tree that failed and collapsed onto railway tracks.   Click for larger image