Tree Risk Management
STRATA™ supports a structured approach to tree risk assessment and tree management, providing clear digitally mapped records, colour-coded to work priorities for arboricultural professionals, estates, green space and environmental services.
The process begins with consistent capture of tree and site evidence, followed by assessment of surrounding target zones to establish context and exposure.
Risk is evaluated using a transparent scoring framework, enabling proportionate prioritisation of tree work priorities and clear timelines for action.
Why use STRATA™
STRATA™ brings together evidence-based tree risk observations and target-zone context in a transparent Target Zone-focused probability-and-consequences digital mapping framework.
Delivering consistent reporting and reinspection cycles in a streamlined workflow, helping duty-holders justify decisions, prioritise tree work effectively and maintain robust, auditable tree-management records.
Practical and Defensible Tree Risk Assessment
STRATA™ provides a consistent, transparent, and defensible approach to tree risk assessment informed by National Tree Safety Group (NTSG) guidance, BS 3998 recommendations, and HSE INDG 317 expectations, with the option to align organisational processes with ISO 31000 risk-management principles.
Planning and Legal Defensibility
- Developed in line with NTSG guidance and HSE expectations
- Optional ISO 31000 alignment for organisations requiring formal governance structures
- Fully documented decision logic, photographs, observable-defect notes, and recorded overrides
A Smarter, Defensible Way to Manage Tree Risk
STRATA™ delivers clear, evidence-based risk assessment with transparent probability-and-consequence scoring, mapped target-zone context, and consistent reinspection cycles. It helps duty-holders justify decisions, prioritise work confidently, and maintain a robust, auditable record of tree-management actions across any site.
Tracking & Review – A Modern Risk-Management Cycle
STRATA™ integrates monitoring and management into a continual improvement loop:
- Reinspection cycles automatically scheduled
- Tree-condition change tracked over time
- Mapping layers show past surveys, works, and upcoming priorities
- Completed works update the risk status
- Trend and cluster analysis support smarter budgeting
This turns surveys from “snapshots” into a living, evolving management system aligned with ISO 31000 principles: monitoring, review, evaluation and improvement.
STRATA™ and ISO 31000 Alignment
Purpose: Strengthen credibility and match public-sector expectations.
Aligned with ISO 31000 Risk-Management Principles
While ISO 31000 is not certifiable, STRATA™ supports alignment through:
- Consistent, structured assessment
- Documented criteria and rationale
- Integrated monitoring and review cycles
- Transparent, traceable decision-making
- Embedding risk management into organisational decision processes
Designed Around UK Best Practice
STRATA™ complements:
- NTSG – Common Sense Risk Management of Trees
- BS 3998 (Tree Work: Recommendations)
- BS 5837 (Trees in Relation to Design, Demolition and Construction)
- HSE INDG 317
- Local Authority TPO application requirements
- Professional Indemnity and audit obligations
By giving every office the same structured, transparent tree-risk method, mapped digitally and stored centrally, you gain a single view of your urban forestry data no matter where your staff are based. Whether you’ve a survey team in Edinburgh, and another in Leeds, everyone works to the same standard, with the same evidence-based scoring and the same outputs.
Added Value: Carbon & ESG
Tree Risk, Carbon Value, and Sustainability – All in One System
Unlike traditional tree-risk methods, STRATA™ connects directly with Mapscape’s sustainability tools:
- Automatic carbon storage and sequestration calculations into 2050+
- Woodland Management tools
- Compatible with tree-planting, project cost and establishment app
- Decision support for risk vs carbon value
This makes STRATA™ ideal for organisations balancing safety, cost, biodiversity and carbon reduction commitments.
From Recommendation to Completed Works, Fully Tracked
Attach photos of observable defects direct from your mobile device , images are compressed and linked to each tree in both the map and the automated spreadsheet report.
- Record who assessed each tree, what they recommended, and by when work should be completed.
- Use the Sign-Off Works option as a simple green/red traffic light system to track progress – ideal for sharing with subcontractors and in-house teams.
- Log re-inspections to show that risk is being actively managed, not just assessed once and forgotten.
This gives duty-holders a clear line of sight from initial survey to completed works, making it easier to demonstrate reasonable care.
A Framework Under Continuous Development
STRATA™ is being developed as a robust, health-and-safety-audited, science-based methodology, that helps arboricultural professionals and duty-holders make informed, defensible decisions surrounding trees.
At present is STRATA™ works in the apps risk assessment of single trees. We will shortly be applying the same logic to work with the apps Groups of Trees and Hedges features. Further information will appear on this page and also on the Development Roadmap
Start Using STRATA™ Today
See how Mapscape can transform your tree-risk process with consistent, defensible assessment linked to carbon and sustainability planning.
Book a quick Demo to see how the framework will work for your business and organisation, or contact us directly if you have any questions.
Reference Document:
*National Tree Safety Group. Common sense risk management of trees. 2nd Edition. PDF