luketreework

When it comes to trees on public and private properties, owners or developers of said properties need to always ensure that the trees are in good condition and they don’t pose a risk. They have a legal duty to do so, especially in the case of a public area, like a public garden or park. Landowners need to consult with arborists and conduct tree surveys to assess the condition of the trees. 

Tree surveys are different, based on what goal they want to achieve and what sort of information they provide. Consulting with experts on the matter is very important because they offer some guidance on the matter. Here are a few of the different types of surveys that are available: 

• Planning permission and report – for individuals and companies submitting their planning applications, they are going to need a BS5837 survey. This is a British Standard that specifies the required information to be collected and included within the end report. That is how developers get their consent, as long as the survey points indicate a low negative impact on the trees and no protected trees are in the area. The BS5837 surveys require an Arboricultural Method Statement and Arboricultural Impact Assessment. The former is all about assessing the need for pruning, protective fencing, how to handle materials around trees, compaction of soil and heavy machinery moving around the tree. There might also be a need for an ecological survey, based on what the local authority requires and what the specific project is all about. 
  
  
• Tree constraints plan – this one consists of a CAD drawing, which showcases the location of every individual tree. It looks at things like crown spread, root protection and shade. The BS5837 standard outlines a few more parameters like retention category. With these surveys, developers can work on their projects with tree information in mind. 
• Tree data schedule – displaying the information gathered as part of the BS5837 survey, a tree data schedule lists information like tree age, dimensions of the trunk and crow, the life expectancy of the tree, defects, condition, amenity value and more. 
  
  
• Tree preservation order – it is local authorities that create a tree preservation order. These are in regards to singular trees, groups of trees or perhaps an entire woodland. A TPO is issued with the sole purpose of protecting the trees in the area, effectively forbidding any pruning or felling. 
  
  
• Pre-purchase report – for individuals and companies looking to buy a property, many mortgage lenders will require from them a pre-purchase tree survey. Such a survey namely looks at the risk of subsidence and tree failure. The report checks out every tree within an influential distance of the property and assesses the risk that it poses based on the condition. 
  
  
• Reports for litigation – if there is property or human damage, some tree surveys and reports are necessary. They need to adhere to the approved standards and can later be used in a court of law, if necessary. 
  
  
• Tree condition survey – this is a report conducted in regards to tree pests and diseases. Whenever such issues are present, experts go on to provide an assessment of the situation. They check out the affected trees for signs of decay, empty patches of leaves and weak branches. Condition surveys depend on what number of trees are surveyed and what sort of budget is allocated for the task. The greater the perceived risk, the larger the area arborists need to cover, to get data. 
  
  

©Treework Environmental Practice