Making the invisible… visible
We offer you professional arboricultural consultancy services across Wiltshire and the South West, expert skills, advanced tech, clear communication – and a can-do, get-it-done attitude.
Fully trained, qualified and insured
Beyond the bark
We combine Visual Tree Assessment with sonic tomography, electrical resistance tomography and microdrilling to show what’s happening inside the stem, so decisions about your trees are based on evidence, not guesswork. Sometimes that means a tree needs work. Often it means a valued tree can safely stay.
Internal Tree Inspection
We offer a range of internal inspections to assess the amount of remaining ‘intact wood’ within the main stem of trees.
The kit
We use the PiCUS 3 Sonic Tomograph, the PiCUS TreeTronic 3 Electrical Resistance Tomograph and the IML Resi-PD400 Microdrill to inform decisions regarding tree risk management and the safe retention of important trees.
Observations of form, buttressing, cracking, cavities and other structural indicators are used to identify how a tree has responded to loading over time and whether further investigation of the internal condition of the stem is required.
Sound moves more quickly through intact structural wood and more slowly through areas of altered or decayed timber. Sensors positioned around the trunk record these differences in transmission speed and the data are used to produce a two-dimensional tomogram showing the relative condition of the cross-section.
Because electrical resistance is influenced by moisture content and wood chemistry, areas of lower resistance typically indicate wetter or altered wood, while higher resistance is associated with intact structural material.
A fine drilling needle advances through the timber at a controlled rate while resistance to penetration is recorded continuously, producing a measurement curve that reflects variations in wood density along the drilling path.
Tree Surveys
We will always work closely with you to understand and discuss your requirements in order to carry out a tree survey and produce an Arboricultural Report to meet your needs.
We can also integrate a Tree Risk Assessment into the survey using industry approved risk assessment methodologies such as VALID or QTRA.
Planning & development
We produce Arboricultural Impact Assessments to accompany Planning Applications to Local Planning Authorities for a range of different sized developments from small domestic sites to large utility projects.
Formerly Professor Shearbomb Ltd.
Beyond the Bark is led by Phil Johnson. He brings more than 15 years in arboriculture, starting out as a climbing arborist before achieving his Level 6 Certificate, so he understands the practical side of tree work as well as the reports.
The business started life as Professor Shearbomb Ltd, after the nickname Dr Claus Mattheck, the founder of Visual Tree Assessment, gave Phil at his seminar in Germany. Read the story.
To remain aligned with industry best practices, we consistently update our qualifications and maintain full insurance coverage.
We continuously monitor the latest advancements in our field to ensure we can provide our clients with the most innovative services available.
We prioritise clear communication to ensure our clients have a thorough understanding of our services and are readily available to address any questions or concerns they may have regarding their trees.
Training
Phil wrote and delivers the Internal Tree Inspection Programme (ITIP), a two-day course in internal tree inspection. Local authority tree officers, arboricultural consultants and the team at Westonbirt, The National Arboretum have all trained with him.
The same knowledge goes into every inspection we carry out for our clients.
Ragley Hall Estate, Warwickshire
A 17-metre English oak at the heart of the APF Show had a bark wound running from the base to the primary junction. A full Visual Tree Assessment, three sonic tomograms, a VALID risk-benefit assessment and a TreeCalc safety factor showed it was fit for the tree-climbing competition.
Read the case study →Veteran oak, Gloucester
A visual assessment and a detailed tomogram showed the extent of the decay, and Phil recommended a solution to help preserve the tree. The client came away with a professional report and the evidence to approach their local council with confidence.
Read what they said →Oak Tree Care Home, Yate
A VALID Tree Risk-Benefit Assessment and a PiCUS 3 sonic tomography inspection, explained on site and followed by an easy-to-understand report, so the care home can monitor its oak for any future changes.
Read what they said →Phil was punctual and professional, providing a clear explanation of both the VALID Tree Risk-Benefit assessment and PiCUS 3 Sonic Tomography inspection.
The follow-up report was easy to understand, and his thorough review gave us valuable insights into our tree’s health. I feel confident in monitoring our oak for any future changes. Highly recommended!
Whether you're a practitioner involved in the advanced assessment of trees and likelihood of tree failure, or a decision maker who needs to be able to effectively analyse and interpret results, I'd say this course is highly worthwhile.
Phil is a knowledgeable and approachable arboriculturist. Despite using the PiCUS for nearly ten years, I learned techniques and features I didn’t even know existed!
Phil carried out a thorough inspection of a veteran oak we were concerned about due to signs of fungal decay. After a visual assessment and producing a detailed tomogram, Phil determined the extent of the decay and provided a solution to help preserve the tree, mindful of its high-risk location.
He was excellent in explaining his methods both on-site and afterward, providing a professional report with detailed evidence.
The ITIP course was excellent, and I now feel fully confident in the use and interpretation of tomographic and microdrilling equipment and data they produce.
Phil was knowledgeable and approachable, and the well-organised materials made the challenging course engaging. I gained a valuable new skill and highly recommend it to anyone in tree care.
Beyond The Bark provides arboricultural consultancy, tree surveys, tree risk assessments and internal tree inspection services throughout Wiltshire, Bath, Bristol, Somerset, Gloucestershire, South Wales and the wider UK.
Tell us about your trees or your site, and we’ll come back to you with clear advice and a quote.
Get in Touch