Tree photos for an arborist: what to capture

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.

Start with two photos

1. The tree or stump. Stand back where safe to show the whole tree, or photograph the stump with the ground around it.
2. The surroundings. Show nearby buildings, fences, paths and access for a crew.

TreeCue starts with your description; all photos are optional. Add any useful views before sending your request, or share them later in your individual conversation with a provider. Only take photos from a safe position. They can help explain the job, but cannot establish whether a tree is safe.

Add extra angles if useful

These views are optional. Add only what helps explain the work:

• The opposite side. Show details hidden from the first viewpoint.
• The left or right side. Include branches, nearby structures or obstacles the other photos miss.
• The base and trunk. Show where the trunk meets the ground. Do not disturb soil or remove material for the photo.
• Branches and canopy. Show the area you want worked on. Stay on the ground and do not move closer to a hazard for a better view.

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.

Updated September 15, 2026