Tree Surveys

Individual Tree Surveys

We can supply a detailed assessment of the trees condition and appropriate management recommendations.

Group or Area Surveys, Tree Inventories & Risk Assessments

We have significant experience in the provision of large scale tree surveys for Local Authorities, Health Authorities, Housing Associations, Universities, and a wide range of Professional clients.

These surveys are individually tailored to suit the client’s requirements and can include tree health and condition, tree safety, pest & disease diagnosis, potential threats to adjacent properties or a combination of these and additional services. AutoCad based plans can be provided to show the results in a graphical context.

The practice also offers risk assessments and hazard analysis together with decay detection and measurement where appropriate.

Quantified Tree Risk Assessment (QTRA)

We are licensed practitioners of the Quantified Tree Risk Assessment (QTRA) system which applies established and accepted risk management principles to tree safety management.

Tree safety management is a matter of limiting the risk of significant harm from tree failure whilst maintaining the benefits conferred by trees.

The Quantified Tree Risk Assessment (QTRA) system applies established and accepted risk management principles to tree safety management. Firstly, the targets (people and property) upon which trees could fail are assessed and quantified, thus enabling tree managers to determine whether or not and to what degree of rigour a survey or inspection of the trees is required.

Where necessary, the tree or branch is then considered in terms of both impact potential (size) and probability of failure. Values derived from the assessment of these three components (target, impact potential and probability of failure) are combined to calculate the probability of significant harm occurring. The system moves the management of tree safety away from labelling trees as either‘safe’ or ‘unsafe’, thereby requiring definitive statements of tree safety from either tree surveyors or tree managers. Instead, QTRA quantifies the risk of significant harm from tree failure in a way that enables tree managers to balance safety with tree value and operate to a predetermined limit of reasonable or acceptable risk.

Woodland Surveys & Management Plans

We provide a range of woodland management plans for woodland and urban forests. The scope of the reports vary depending on the clients requirements, but typically include:

• Species selection, natural regeneration and thinning regimes
• Replanting schemes
• Management to maintain and enhance visual amenity
• Management to encourage outdoor recreation
• Enhance wildlife value
• Establish venue for artworks
• Address specific social problems
• Provide recommendations to establish acceptable levels of safety
• Establish a higher level of arboricultural and silvicultural management.

Advice relating to woodland creation, ancient woodland, veteran trees, land reclamation, planting schemes and hedgerow issues is also available.

Tree Preservation Order (TPO) Preparation & Revision

We act as specialist Consultants for a number of Local Authorities. Providing Consultancy support, Tree Preservation Order preparation and revision, Assessment of Conservation areas and Tree Preservation Order applications.

Heritage Lottery & Historic Parks Restoration Projects

We have undertaken a considerable number of these projects and have significant expertise as specialist advisers in multi-disciplinary teams on prestigious restoration projects.

Service & Industrial Installations

We can advise on the installation of services, hard surfacing and industrial installations near to trees to minimise damage and potential conflicts. Similarly, we can provide an assessment of damage when things go wrong and provide remedial or mitigation measures.

Project Management

We offer high quality project supervision for arboricultural & countryside management forestry projects.

Tree Health

Tree Structure Analysis

We undertake evaluations of trees for safety and management purposes which are tailored to the requirements of the client and the tree. Climbing inspections are undertaken when necessary and decay detection using a variety of techniques are employed.

We have a state of the art IML Resistograph instrument which measures the density of the wood and detects cracks, voids, cavities and decay inside a tree and root system. Analysis of the data reflects the structural condition of the tree which is available as a detailed read out on site and can be further studied using specialist scientific software which produces a comprehensive evaluation

.

Also available are a variety of Siebert micro drills which also accurately measure wood density and condition.

We also undertake a non-destructive evaluation of wooden structures and beams to provide a quantative analysis of decay.

Pests & Disease

Tree disease diagnosis and management, identification of pathogens, fungi and abiotic problems and advice as to their treatment or remedial action is offered.

Laboratory analysis can be arranged including chlorophyll fluorescence testing which can identify problems such as salt poisoning and herbicide damage.

Arboricultural Mortgage & Insurance Reports

We undertake Arboricultural Mortgage and Insurance reports for home owners as licensed professional members of the Arboricultural Mortgage and Insurance Users group (AMIUG) which forms part of the Consulting Arborist Society (CAS).

The practice also provides consultancy for Building Societies, Insurance companies and Loss adjusters.

Well maintained and appropriately sited trees and hedges provide wide-ranging amenity value and can significantly add to the value of a property whilst diseased or inappropriate trees can jeopardize people or property.

Arboricultural surveys are usually recommended in the first instance by property surveyors who are concerned about the juxtaposition of the property and the trees. Consequently mortgage lenders and insurers often require an assessment of the risks to minimise their exposure to any financial loss when advancing mortgages or insurance.

A number of differing levels of report are available, but for homebuyers a preliminary level report will assess whether the property is within the influencing distance of the nearby trees in relation to the structural integrity of the property, light structures (i.e. walls, patios) & health & safety. Given the nature of home buying the report can be available within a few days from instruction.

Ecology

We can provide advice on all aspects of this discipline - from ecological scoping and protected species survey to impact assessment and mitigation design.

Base line ecological surveys

• Phase 1 habitat survey
• Protected species scoping survey

Protected species surveys

• Badgers
• Bats
• Birds
• Dormouse
• Great-crested newt
• Invertebrates
• Otter
• Reptiles
• Water vole
• White clawed crayfish

Habitat surveys

• Hedgerow surveys
• Invasive plant surveys
• Phase II surveys – using The National Vegetation Classification (NVC)
• Rare plant surveys
• River corridor and habitat survey

Bats

There are eighteen species of bats in England. They and their roosts are protected under UK and European legislation making it illegal to capture, kill, injure or disturb bats, or to damage, disturb or obstruct access to bat roosts.

All bats depend on trees at a number of different levels – some roost in trees, many use woodland for foraging, and trees and tree lines are also used as flight lines. Some of our rarest bats roost in trees.

Many bat species roost in buildings and are vulnerable to changes such as demolition, conversion or refurbishment works (in particular operations to roofs, weatherboarding, soffits, window frames and cavity walls)

Local planning authorities are required to take account of the presence of bats as a material consideration when determining planning applications and it is advisable for developers to investigate the presence of bats at an early stage in the development process. Survey results need to be available to planning officers to enable determination of a planning application.

Bat Surveys

We undertake a range of different bat surveys which can be tailored to suit the client's requirements. Bat surveys are managed by our in house Ecologist who holds bat licence's for England & Scotland and will provide advice as to the scope and timing of the survey. The general types of surveys are:-

Bat Surveys For Development, Demolition Or Refurbishment

We can provide bat surveys for loft conversions, barn conversions and general refurbishment works including re-roofing, replacement of windows, cavity wall and weatherboarding. We also provide surveys for work affecting agricultural buildings, bridges, ice houses or industrial buildings and all types of demolition works.

Bat Surveys Of Trees

We carry out inspections of trees for bat occupation or use and provide a staged scoping survey which assesses and grades the wildlife conservation value of the trees and the relevant action required. If the tree is assessed as having a high or very high potential to support bats we can undertake a detailed aerial inspection using our in house qualified climbers and / or mobile elevated work platform (MEWP) to examine the tree with a video endoscope. Additional evening (emergence) and dawn (entry) surveys using bat detectors may be appropriate if bat usage is found.

We can also undertake a full structural evaluation of the tree and provide a specification for tree works or felling. If necessary a method statement will be produced and application made for a European Protected Species licence to undertake the necessary works.

Extended Phase 1 Habitat Surveys

Usually the first stage in assessing the ecological significance of a potential development site. Target notes will identify any potentially significant areas which may require detailed ecological investigation.

National Vegetation Classification (NVC) Surveys

This system of classifying plant communities can lead on from an extended phase 1 habitat survey if potentially sensitive communities are identified. Additionally it can form the basis of a detailed woodland management plan.

Planning & Development -

Arboricultural Surveys to British Standard 5837:2005 ‘Trees in relation to construction’

We have significant experience in this area and can supply advice on projects ranging from house extensions and small scale schemes to major housing and industrial development and urban regeneration.

The practice provides planning & development consultancy for Architects, Town Planners, Landscape Architects and Developers during planning applications, appeals and public inquiries.

We use AutoCad software to add overlays to topographic and proposed layout plans and prepare accurately drawn tree positions, actual crown spreads and shapes with appropriate colour coding to illustrate the retention category of each tree. This method allows rapid distribution of plans via email and high quality paper plans.

1 APP - Following the implementation of Government Circular 02/2008 and the guidance document Validation of Planning Applications Councils can refuse to validate planning applications if essential tree information is not available. Where trees are present on a site or on adjoining land, all new planning applications must be accompanied by the following information:

• Full tree survey conforming to the requirements of BS 5837:2005
• Plans at a suitable scale indicating north point, tree survey information, retention, categorisation & root protection areas
• Assessment of the Arboricultural implications of development detailing trees to be retained or removed together with appropriate protection measures
• Arboricultural method statement detailing the means of tree protection, implementation & phasing of works
• Assessment has to be undertaken by a qualified Arboriculturalist

Specific services are:

Arboricultural Tree Constraints Assessments (ATCA)

A report and plan which surveys and assesses the trees prior to the initial design of a development layout showing the Root Protection Areas (RPA) and representing the effect that the mature height and spread of retained trees may have on layouts through shade and dominance. It provides guidance to architects as to the reasonably developable area available and maximises the potential of a site.

Arboricultural Implication Assessment (AIA)

This is the principal formal report for planning applications which provides a detailed technical study to identify, evaluate and mitigate the extent of direct and indirect impacts on existing trees that arise as a result of the implementation of any site layout proposal.

The assessment identifies which trees are affected by the development and provides detailed information as to protective barriers and methods, work practices and any special engineering or construction techniques required.

Arboricultural Method Statements (AMS)

Method statements provide the methodology for the implementation of any aspect of the development that has the potential to result in damage to retained trees and provide full details of onsite tree protection and monitoring regimes.

Arboricultural Method statements are often a requirement of planning conditions levied by local authorities on development sites where trees may be vulnerable.

We provide comprehensive method statements which detail the schedule of operations both before and during the demolition and development process as well as a structure for communication and supervision.

Tree Protection Plan (TPP)

Forming part of the Arboricultural Implication Assessment and Arboricultural Method Statement, the Tree Protection Plan is a scaled drawing usually produced using AutoCad software which shows the draft or finalised layout proposals, tree retentions, and tree and landscape protection measures graphically.

Computerised Tree Shade Evaluation In Relation To Development Layout

The relevance of tree shadows in relation to new development is important to ensure that proposed recreational areas such as gardens and windows (on building elevations) will not be excessively shaded by adjacent trees. If these areas do become excessively shaded, the tree may become a target for pruning or even removal. By understanding the position and motion of tree shadows at an early stage in the planning process, such problems can be avoided.

Local Authorities receive a large number of requests to prune or remove protected trees due to sunlight interference. They can of course refuse the requests, but this may be overturned on appeal to the Secretary of State who may judge that the light loss is unreasonable and the tree should be removed. To avoid such problems arising local authorities should ensure at the planning stage that the issue of light interruption, both in the present and in the future has been considered.

National House Building Council (NHBC)

Providing information for engineers, architects and designers for the purposes of foundation design in relation to nearby trees for NHBC standards.

Site Supervision

Where a planning condition requires Arboricultural site supervision, it can only be efficiently discharged through a written system of complience. Our Professional staff can attend site, provide advice and issue formal written documentation during demolition and development processes, underground utility installation, overground cabling and pylon erection in proximity to retained trees. We also provide advice if unforeseen situations or damage occurs during the course of the works.

Miscellaneous Services

Trees & The Law

We provide Expert Witness representation and advice on legal issues pertaining to trees.

• Planning Appeals & building development
• Tree Preservation Orders & Conservation Areas- analysis and appeals to the Secretary of State. Representation and advice relating to unlawful removal, pruning or damage to protected trees for either the Local Authority or defendents
• High hedges disputes
• Town & Country Planning Acts in relation to trees
• Forensic analysis of tree related accidents

Specialist Advice For Local Authorities & Large Organisations

We act as specialist Consultants for a number of Local Authorities providing Consultancy support. A summary of services are:

• Tree officer cover - provision of short to medium term cover
• Tree Preservation Order preparation, revision & resurveys
• Assessment of Conservation areas and Tree Presrvation Order applications
• Representation and advice relating to unlawful removal, pruning or damage to protected trees

We also provide full Consultancy services to large estates, landowners, public bodies & housing providers.

Air-Spade

It is often easy to forget that a significant portion of a tree is concealed from sight, and yet the root system is arguably the most important part providing stability and support while absorbing nutrients from the surrounding ground.

It may be necessary to access the root system for various reasons, however a problem lies with the invasive nature of the task. Conventional hand tools, even when used with care, are likely to cause damage to the structural roots and certainly the finer feeding roots.

At AllAboutTrees we utilise an air-spade for the exposure of a root system.

An air-spade is a handheld tool which produces a stream of air moving at 1200mph using a powerful compressor and an engineered nozzle.

The powerful air stream is able to penetrate the soil by exploiting voids between soil particles without causing damage to materials such as underground services and tree roots. Even the fine feeder roots of a tree are left undisturbed. Highly compacted soils and heavy clays are effectively broken with the use of the air-spade, although roack and frozen ground cannot be penetrated.

The use of an air-spade includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Alleviation of compaction related damage
• Amelioration of soil quality
• To aid visual and quantifiable inspection
• To ascertain the extent of root spread (in relation to development)
• To facilitate installation of services within and around the root system

Tree Valuation

Tree valuation reports using either Visual Amenity Valuation of Trees and Woodland (Helliwell) system or Council For Tree & Landscape Appraisers (CTLA) system.We also undertake valuations using the CAVAT (Capital Asset Value for Amenity Trees) system which provides a method for managing trees as public assets rather than liabilities. It is designed not only to be a strategic tool and aid to decision making in relation to tree stock as a whole, but also to be applicable to individual cases where the value of a single tree needs to be expressed in monetary terms

Computerised Tree Shade Evaluation In Relation To Development Layout

The relevance of tree shadows in relation to new development is important to ensure that proposed recreational areas such as gardens and windows (on building elevations) will not be excessively shaded by adjacent trees. If these areas do become excessively shaded, the tree may become a target for pruning or even removal. By understanding the position and motion of tree shadows at an early stage in the planning process, such problems can be avoided.

Local Authorities receive a large number of requests to prune or remove protected trees due to sunlight interference. They can of course refuse the requests, but this may be overturned on appeal to the Secretary of State who may judge that the light loss is unreasonable and the tree should be removed. To avoid such problems arising local authorities should ensure at the planning stage that the issue of light interruption, both in the present and in the future has been considered.

Veteran And Ancient Tree Management

Provision of advice regarding the correct management of veteran & ancient trees and also those trees which have potential to be retained as future veteran trees. We also undertake surveys using English Natures Specialist Survey method.