Prepare your request
How to photograph a tree for an arborist
Show the whole tree, the visible concern, and the space around it. A practical seven-view photo checklist for your tree-care request.
A useful tree photo does two jobs: it shows what caught your attention, and it helps someone understand where that detail sits. A close-up of bark can be useful. On its own, it says very little about the rest of the tree.
You do not need specialist equipment. Use your phone in daylight, keep the lens clean, and review each picture before moving on.
Start with safety, not the checklist
Take photos only from safe, ground-level positions. Do not climb the tree, use a ladder, stand under damaged branches, or move towards power lines to get a better angle. Stay on land you have permission to access.
If a view is unsafe or blocked, leave it out and say why. An incomplete checklist is better than an unnecessary risk. TreeCue is not an emergency service. For an immediate danger, keep away and contact the relevant local emergency service or utility.
Capture seven useful views
- The tree from the front. Stand back where safe so the viewer can understand the tree’s shape and position.
- The tree from the back. A second viewpoint can show details hidden on the first side.
- The left side. Include nearby structures rather than cropping tightly around the trunk.
- The right side. Use another safe viewpoint. Explain if a boundary or obstacle prevents access.
- The base and trunk. Show where the trunk meets the ground, together with the lower trunk. Do not disturb soil or remove material for the photo.
- Full height and canopy. Try to include the top and spread of the branches. If one frame is not possible, say so rather than stepping into an unsafe position.
- The wider property. Show the space around the tree, including buildings, paths, gates, and visible obstacles.
These are the views in TreeCue’s guided checklist. They provide a consistent starting point, not proof that a tree is safe or a substitute for an inspection.
Add context to a close-up
If you can safely photograph the specific concern, pair that detail with a wider view. Write a short note identifying it, such as “the split visible on the garden-facing side” or “the branch above the shed”.
Keep the original image available. Heavy filters, marked-up screenshots, and digital zoom can make details harder to interpret. Do not approach a hazard to add a scale object.
Explain what the photos cannot show
Mention when you first noticed the issue, whether anything visibly changed, and which views you could not take. Describe observations rather than giving the tree a diagnosis.
Photos help prepare the conversation. A professional may still need more information or a site visit before recommending work or providing a price.
Ready to put the views together? See how TreeCue uses one request to seek quotes from suitable providers nearby, or read what else to include in a tree-work request.