Tree Surveys

In order to carry out a arboricultural survey, (and in addition to their knowledge and expertise), Arboricultural Consultants often need…

  • access to maps,
  • a means of collecting and collating data,
  • a means to process it (for graphs, charts, etc), and
  • the ability to produce a comprehensive report for their client.

Many consultants use OTISS because of the benefits it gives them in terms of maps, mobile applications for on-site inspections, data collection and collation, graphs, charts, reports, secure backup etc.

Currently only Tree and Tree Safety surveys are supported. We are looking at supporting BS5837, TPO, etc. it future releases.

Tree Surveys and Inspections

You create a ‘client‘ estate within the OTISS database – then create some ‘sites’  within the estate. An OTISS ‘survey’ is created to plan and carry out an inspection
cycle on a site. This ‘survey‘ record contains general information about aims, restrictions, weather on the day, overall findings, etc. Whereas an ‘inspection‘ record is stored for each tree; this includes inspection date, inspector’s name, measurements, overall condition, detailed survey notes, inspection cycle, recommendations and time scales. See the full listing of tree survey/inspection data stored by OTISS for each tree.

  • Traditionally, tree inspections have been carried out using pen and paper. Using OTISS, previous reports can be printed before the survey and then amended on-site. Data collected in this way can be entered directly into OTISS via any Web browser.
  • Inspections can also be carried out using your mobile phone or tablet (only Android at present). With the Tree Survey Android application, you can view, update and create new tree inspections. The maps and data are synchronised between OTISS and your phone.
  • If you are using specialised mobile survey devices for collecting data, then in the future we hope to be able to import/export maps and data to these devices. Please let us know what survey equipment you already have.

All new tree inspections are linked to a current active/open survey. When this survey is set to the ‘closed’ state. then these records are effectively frozen. A new survey is then created for the next inspection cycle..

Inventory of Trees

The inventory that was build up during the survey(s) can be viewed and updated from any Web browser.

  • As part of the survey you would identify and plot the trees on a map, and you may possibly include some nearby trees which could potentially affect your clients’ property.
    • OTISS maintains a geographic information system (GIS) based database of your trees.
  • The trees can be divided into separate sites or risk zones. Site details (access, contact, key holders, etc.) can be setup for each site/zone.
  • As part of each tree inspection will be recommendations for maintenance or for the need for more detailed investigation (e.g. internal decay detection).
  • In the future, OTISS you will also be able to store photos and other documents relating to each tree.
  • If you have existing spreadsheets, databases, KMLs or shapefiles with relevant tree or inspection data, we may be able to load these into OTISS. Please contact us for more information on what can be done.

The spreadsheet page allows you to search and sort your data using multiple criteria. For example:

    • “show me all trees on a particular site that need work doing on them”,
    • “list all the oak trees and order them by age class”.

Maps

The trees can also displayed using online maps and coloured icons.

  • The standard pan and zoom features allow your to move around the map.
  • Clicking on a tree allows you to view or update the tree’s details.
  • The map view is a very easy way of adding new trees. Simply click on the map and enter the information you have available. Trees can be re-positioned by simply dragging them to a new location.
  • OTISS currently uses Google Maps to display the trees. We are also looking at using Ordnance Survey and Open Street Map.
  • In the future, you will be able to upload your own maps, detailed site plans and aerial photos.

CAD/DXF drawings

The trees can be plotted onto a CAD drawing and exported as a DXF file. This file is intended to be opened by yuor own CAD application and merged with your existing background maps, site plans and other information. More information of the Tree Survey CAD/DXF drawings.

Sample Reports

OTISS provides a range of PDF reports containing coloured charts, graphs and tables. You can create your own charts and reports by downloading the data into an Excel spreadsheet. The results of the survey can be seen on the following reports.