Today's successful community forestry programs rely on tree inventories as an effective management tool.  The inventory records conditions and maintenance requirements of the community forest, targets problem trees and prioritizes removals and trims.  Because of the technical nature of the data to be recorded and retrieved, and the critical assessment of hazards inherent in trees, it becomes necessary to have a qualified and trained person to conduct the inventory.  Often, municipalities will use volunteers to take an inventory as a cost-cutting strategy.