Tree Inspection
Tree Inspection Services in Charlotte, Lake Norman & Asheville
Your trees are often the cornerstone of your home’s curb appeal and property value. Unfortunately, they're vulnerable to disease, pests, and other environmental stresses — all of which can wreak havoc on your trees’ health and risk your property’s beauty. For this reason, it’s helpful to have a tree inspection conducted by a certified arborist at least every few years, after any major storm event, or if you notice a change in the tree’s appearance or structure. These inspections should be performed by TRAQ (Tree Risk Assessment Qualified) certified arborists who know how to evaluate each tree's condition and provide options for improvement or just plain old peace of mind. The team you need to call is Heartwood Tree Care.
We provide thorough tree inspections across Charlotte, Lake Norman, and Asheville, NC, because we believe it’s our duty to help trees survive seasonal changes, urban impacts, and an array of weather conditions. With every inspection, we uncover the story behind your tree canopy, identify hidden challenges, and craft solutions that fit your property’s unique needs. Our range of services and effective treatments — from tree pruning and tree removal to fertilization and soil care — ensure your trees remain strong and vibrant.
Contact us today to schedule your next inspection!

Why Tree Inspections Are a Must
Just like we all need an occasional doctor's checkup to make sure we're ticking just fine, your trees need love and attention from a certified arborist every few years or after a severe storm. With these tree inspections, we can identify hidden issues, such as dead branches, root problems, or signs of insect infestations or fungal diseases. These proactive evaluations can also help us craft an ongoing care plan that is tailored to your trees’ specific needs and aid in preventing potential hazards in the future. Whether you’re a Charlotte homeowner with beloved trees scattered across your property or a business nestled in the mountains of Asheville, you can gain peace of mind about your trees’ health with inspections from our arborists.

The Tree Inspection Process
Initial Consultation & Site Visit
Certified arborists bring expertise and methodology to every tree inspection, ensuring each tree is examined for overall health, structural integrity, and potential risks. We will provide detailed insights on how to reduce risk, keep your trees and landscape healthy and beautiful. When you decide to trust our team to handle your trees you know you can expect a perfect balance of care, professionalism, and always adhering to industry standards.
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Visual Tree Assessments (VTA)
While inspecting trees, we conduct visual assessments to uncover clues about the tree’s condition and structural soundness. The process involves inspecting the trunk, branches, foliage, and root flare for decay, cracks, pest damage, or other vulnerabilities. Our arborists are trained to spot these subtle indicators and make sure that potential issues are addressed proactively, giving your trees the attention needed to thrive.
Advanced Diagnostic Testing
When a deeper investigation is needed, we use advanced tools (such as decay detection devices) to assess tree health. Our specialized equipment penetrates deep into the trunk, precisely measuring internal decay patterns and structural weaknesses without causing harm to your trees. Sophisticated sonic tomography and resistance drilling tools also come into play to create detailed maps of your tree's internal structure, which then helps us make scientifically backed decisions about preservation options.
This advanced diagnostic approach, combined with our arborists' expertise, provides crucial data that guides our specific options for your tree’s care. Armed with these insights you’ll be able to decide the most appropriate and effective action for your personal tolerance for risk.
Root Zone Analysis
Tree health starts from the ground up, which is why our team also carefully examines soil composition, drainage patterns, root development, and potential underground obstacles that could impact your tree's structural integrity. With these vital pieces of information gathered, we can implement targeted solutions that improve fertile soil conditions, promote robust root growth, and enhance nutrient absorption for long-term survival and vitality.
Pest & Disease Identification
Pests and diseases can severely impact tree health if left unchecked. That’s why our arborists identify invasive species or pathogens threatening the tree canopy during inspections. Early detection helps facilitate effective treatment, minimizing damage and preserving the surrounding space.
Detailed Tree Reports
After our inspections are complete, we gather our findings and create a detailed report that we then walk you through, explaining everything in clear, easy-to-understand terms.
Tree Inventory & Species Identification
A complete tree inventory includes documentation of tree species, sizes, and locations. With this information in hand, we can help you develop effective care strategies for each season and track their journey through life over the following years.
Assessment of Tree Health, Structural Integrity, & Potential Risks
Your detailed report will also provide a clear picture of each tree's current health status and highlight specific areas of concern. For example, if our team detects signs of a spotted lanternfly infestation, oak wilt, or storm damage, we will include these details in your report.
Your trees’ health information will serve as your roadmap for tree care, helping you make better decisions about necessary maintenance work, such as pesticide and fungicide applications and fertilization. It will also help you create realistic timelines and budgets for addressing any identified tree issues before they become serious problems.
Recommendations for Tree Care, Pruning, or Removal
Our arborists offer tailored options based on the findings of each inspection. This guidance may include pruning dead branches, improving soil conditions, or planning tree removal when necessary, all with a focus on maintaining a safe and healthy environment.
Best Times to Schedule a Tree Inspection
Scheduling regular tree inspections keeps outdoor spaces in optimal condition. But when should you have them done? Late fall and early winter are particularly ideal for visual structural evaluations, as the seasonal drop of leaves often reveal issues that may otherwise go unnoticed. For mature trees, annual inspections provide a reliable way to monitor their health and structural integrity, while newly planted or stressed trees may require more frequent assessments to make sure they adapt successfully to their surroundings.
We also recommend scheduling tree inspections in Charlotte, Lake Norman, and Asheville, NC, if:
- A storm has recently passed through town.
- There are visible signs of disease or decay (i.e., fungal growth, dead branches, or unusual leaf discoloration).
- Your tree is leaning or tilting.
- The trunk is cracked or split.
- You’ve seen a lot of insects crawling across the tree’s bark or leaves.
- The tree has boreholes or leaking sap.
- You’re about to start or have recently completed a major construction project.
Why Post-Storm Tree Inspections Are Vital
Severe storms can leave trees weakened, damaged, or even unstable, and since storm damage isn’t always obvious, it’s important to have your trees inspected by a certified arborist as soon as possible. Our team can identify hidden dangers, such as internal cracks, uprooted roots, or weakened branches, and provide preventative trimming or removal before they become major problems. Our post-storm tree inspections can also prevent liability issues, as falling limbs or unstable trees pose risks to pedestrians, vehicles, and neighboring properties.
Finally, it’s helpful to note that trees that sustain damage from a storm may be susceptible to disease, decay, or pest infestations. By catching these issues early, our arborists can provide necessary treatments to strengthen and protect your trees, effectively preserving the beauty and value of your property.


Tree Risk Assessments in Compliance With Charlotte’s Tree Ordinance
Before pruning or removing a tree in Charlotte, NC, it is often necessary to perform a tree risk assessment to stay in compliance with the city’s Tree Protection Ordinance. Our TRAQ-certified arborists can conduct these thorough evaluations of heritage and specimen trees and determine whether a tree presents a possible hazard or if alternative preservation measures can be implemented. By assessing risk levels and providing options for pruning or removal, we help homeowners and developers navigate the legal requirements set forth in the ordinance. We also help Charlotte retain the treasured title of The City of Trees.
Tree Care Solutions for Any Found Issue
When inspections uncover issues, Heartwood Tree Care responds with solutions tailored to each tree’s condition. Tree pruning, for example, involves removing dead or live branches to improve safety while enhancing the natural beauty of your outdoor space. In cases where a tree is severely compromised, tree removal may be necessary to protect nearby structures and other trees from potential harm. For trees with underlying challenges, our preservation services, including health management and soil care, promote robust growth and long-term vitality. We also prioritize the protection of heritage trees and ensure compliance with local tree ordinances, reflecting our commitment to sustainability.


Book a Tree Inspection With Heartwood Tree Care Today!
Maintaining healthy trees doesn't have to be complicated. With Heartwood Tree Care, we offer a vast assortment of plant health care and tree care services, so you don't have to lift a finger when it comes to fostering a flourishing outdoor space. Contact us and schedule a tree inspection and make informed, confident decisions about your greenery in Charlotte, Lake Norman, or Asheville, NC.