Argus Electronic

NDTScan uses Argus Electronic systems for dynamic tree stability testing and structural root assessment in high-risk urban and infrastructure zones. These precision sensors measure trunk oscillation, elasticity, and anchorage response under simulated wind loading — providing critical data to inform tree retention, removal, or mitigation planning near roads, railways, and development sites.

Argus Electronic is trusted by arborists, councils, and safety engineers for real-world quantification of tree behaviour under environmental stress.

Continuous Innovation in Tree Risk Assessment

As trees in built environments face more extreme weather and loading conditions, accurate diagnostics are essential. Argus systems let us assess risk without excavation or invasive testing — protecting both safety and ecology.

Our Argus Equipment

• TreeQinetic Static Pulling Test System: Measures movement response during controlled load application to determine root plate stability.
• ElastoInclinometer Sensors: Monitor stem elasticity and tilt, enabling real-time deflection tracking and failure prediction modelling.
• Data Logger + Live Charting: Visualises results instantly and creates traceable documentation for planning or insurance purposes.
• Wind Load Simulation Profiles: Allows safe testing at stress levels equal to projected storms or design wind speeds.
• BS5837 and ISA-aligned Outputs: Ensures data is accepted in professional tree safety reports and planning documentation.

Why We Use Argus

Argus systems offer field-proven tree movement analysis that removes ambiguity. We use them wherever tree failure could threaten people, vehicles, or infrastructure — from playgrounds to highways.

Other Systems in Use

For internal decay, we pair Argus testing with IML or Fakopp diagnostics — giving us full picture assurance above and below ground.

Integrated Tree Stability Monitoring for Safer Urban Landscapes

At NDTScan, we combine advanced technologies like the Argus Electronic TreeQinetic system with deep arboricultural expertise to deliver accurate, science-led insights into tree stability. In high-risk environments where failure could have catastrophic consequences — such as along motorways, rail corridors, or near public amenities — this level of precision is non-negotiable.

Dynamic testing allows our specialists to capture real-time behavioural data from mature trees without harming them. This is particularly valuable for specimen trees in heritage sites, conservation zones, or sensitive planning areas, where traditional invasive testing methods are either unsuitable or outright prohibited.

Argus equipment supports a fully non-destructive workflow — from safe load simulation to tilt and oscillation recording — all within a single, field-portable solution. Results are instantly accessible, offering measurable evidence to support urgent safety decisions, risk mitigation plans, and ongoing maintenance schedules.

Applications Across Sectors

Local Authorities and Councils: Argus Electronic TreeQinetic testing supports risk assessments for public trees under council care. By generating report-ready data aligned with BS5837, local authorities can satisfy legal duty of care requirements while preserving valued urban canopy cover.

Infrastructure Projects: On railways, bridges, and highways, tree stability directly impacts structural integrity and public safety. NDTScan provides pre-construction and ongoing monitoring services that meet Network Rail and Highways England specifications.

Property Developers and Planners: For developments near existing trees, our assessments offer a defensible position for tree retention or removal, helping projects proceed with confidence under planning scrutiny.

Insurers and Legal Consultants: Quantified Argus Electronic data on tree biomechanics aids in legal defence and claim validation following property damage or personal injury — especially when linked to high wind events or subsidence.

Expert Interpretation Backed by Standards

Our team doesn’t just collect data — we interpret it in line with international best practice. All outputs from Argus systems are benchmarked against known risk thresholds and structured into reports accepted under:

• BS5837 (Trees in relation to design, demolition and construction)

• ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) frameworks

• Eurocode wind load calculations for arboricultural contexts

This ensures seamless integration of findings into arboricultural method statements, safety audits, or insurance records.

Complementary Technologies for Complete Diagnostics

While Argus systems provide dynamic testing capabilities, we often enhance our diagnostics with resistograph drilling or sonic tomography for internal decay detection. For example, combining Argus data with an IML-RESI PD400 resistograph reading allows us to assess both anchorage response and internal wood integrity — ensuring comprehensive risk profiling.

By merging below-ground stability analysis with internal decay evaluation, we minimise uncertainty and protect stakeholders from preventable failures.

Trusted, Data-Driven Tree Safety with Argus Electronic Across the UK

NDTScan works with local authorities, private estate managers, rail engineers, and developers across the UK to deliver actionable intelligence on tree safety. With the increasing frequency of high-wind events and climate-induced stressors, reliance on visual inspections alone is no longer sufficient. Our Argus-led diagnostics equip decision-makers with the objective data needed to act confidently, safely, and responsibly.