Tree Surveys
Does your site need a tree survey?
If you are a property manager with trees growing on your site, you will need regular surveys carried out to ensure safety of the public, contractors, residents, and property.
Trees in the UK suffer from a variety of diseases which threaten their structural integrity. From moth, caterpillar, and beetle infestations, to diseases such as Ash Dieback, your trees could be at risk from defoliating (losing leaves) or dying completely.
At best, not having a tree survey may cost you a tree or two on your site. At worst, however, a property manager can be prosecuted if it is found that their site did not arrange the requisite tree surveys to prevent harm or damage to people and property.
What type of survey do you require?
The most common survey carried out on housing developments and similar sites is a ‘BS5837 Tree Survey’. These surveys are valid for 12 months in the planning stage, and three years thereafter, before they need updating.
A tree survey is necessary for any site managing or maintaining woodland or individual trees. It is a legal requirement to have an up to date tree survey, according to multiple legislations relating to housing and environment.
An example of the information given on a tree survey can be found below.
The data includes species, age, life expectancy, height, diameter, crown measurements, and recommended works, and reference numbers for each tree.
The recommended works can then be carried out by our qualified arboriculturists to ensure your site is safe.
Why do you need a tree survey?
A survey can identify problem trees that pose an unacceptable level of risk.
Reduce your costs. Remedial work to maintain a tree’s health is cheaper than work to fell a tree or attend a fallen limb.
Budget allocation: Outline the predicted cost of tree maintenance throughout the year.
Trees add value to property, so it is imperative to future profits to protect trees on site.
Comply with Tree Protection Orders (TPOs) to avoid damage to the environment and escape any fines. If you fell a protected species you are liable to heavy fines. Fines for this can reach £20,000.
When should you arrange a tree survey for your site?
As trees react differently to adverse weather throughout the year, we recommend that surveys are staggered to take place in Spring, as well as in Autumn and Winter.
Different symptoms may present depending on the season. A trained tree surveyor will attend your site and assess any recommended works that are required.
Coming up to the end of growing season, as we are now, trees will begin to bare their branches of leaves which eases access and visibility to key areas of the tree.
Ideally, arranging a tree survey at the start of Autumn can ensure that work is carried out in the colder months. If left until the next growing season, the following period of growth on the tree could lead to further decay or increased risk of branches snapping. We recommend that work is carried out on trees in the winter months before leaves return and weigh potentially weak branches down further.
Enviro’s tree services
At Enviro, we have a team of experienced tree surgeons and arboriculturists who can both survey your site, and carry out any recommended works.
As your eyes and ears on site, our maintenance team area also trained to report any issues they notice on site with your trees. This can either prompt further works or highlight the need to update your tree survey.
The long-term maintenance of trees on site is beneficial for all parties, the environment, wildlife relying on trees for habitat, property managers in a legal and financial sense, and the for residents who will be safe from hazardous trees.
If you need to update your tree survey or want to understand how to better look after the trees on your site, please give Enviro a call on 0800 878 9099.