Bonny's Wood

Tree surveys

Tree surveys are carried out to obtain tree stock and for monitoring purposes, which can be a requirement of certain insurance policies, planning applications or used to check the overall general health of the tree. A landowner has a duty of care to ensure that the trees on their land are safe, healthy, and not hazardous to anyone especially if there are public rights of way nearby (Occupier liability Act 1984).This can be done by carrying out a survey that locates, numbers and plots tree species over an area: recording tree height, DBH, crown spread, age class and past management. Structural and physiological health is also recorded as well as basic remedial tree works, or potential hazardous aspects which may result in future inspection and action. These initial surveys can then be regularly monitored at yearly intervals. The trees can be tagged/ numbered and recorded on a database map for future research into the area. Tree surveys are carried out by a qualified and experienced arborist with good sound knowledge of tree health and survey requirements.

Tree inspections

After completing a tree survey, which is a general overview of particular tree stock within an area, trees that have been noted as a concern or need future investigation are highlighted and a tree inspection of such trees is then commissioned. Tree inspections consist of complete information on location and ownership of the individual tree, with full checks of litigation and legislation relevant to the case. The overall tree health is considered by a professional Arboriculturalist who will also carry out a climbing visual inspection if necessary. Pests and diseases are also factored in along with previous management practices and target zones to obtain an overview of an individual tree and suggestions of continued or future management proposed in a full report completed by the inspector.

Tree surveys and inspections on new development sites

Bonny’s Wood Arborists also have sound knowledge of BS5837 in relation to construction recommendations. The main requirements of BS5837 is to preserve and protect existing trees on new development sites: this includes protection of roots, crown, branches and stem and provides suitable protection methods which will limit the damage to these aspects. Other key elements are outlined in the planning and design stage where trees can be incorporated into the new environment. BS5837 also protects the new and existing buildings and suggests options to limit damage by reducing tree numbers on site, but also adding more trees in more suitable areas. It is important to outline the significance of BS5837 and to set conditions to protect the trees on development sites; a report with such information can be achieved setting out specific Tree Constraints Plan for such new sites complying to the British Standards and also creating a more natural beneficial green area incorporated into the new development. Usually under planning law, the new developments’ planning permission has been granted under the condition that an arborist implements and oversees the proposed works in regard of the existing trees on the site. The Local Planning Authority (LPA) allows the works to continue with a Tree Constraints Plan (TCP), which is to retain trees as well as plant new ones.