Tree Surveys

If you own land, want to develop land, or are thinking about buying a particular piece of property, then you are going to need a tree survey.  Simply put, a tree survey is an inspection of all the trees, shrubs and vegetation on the piece of land.  This inspection collects a range of information about the trees.  It is done through a systematic approach to find any and all defects, as well as information regarding the trees.  Tree surveys are completely impartial and can help you figure out anything from what type of tree is on your land to whether or not there are any tree hazards.  A tree survey will help you manage your trees as well as give you valuable information as to the age, condition and type of trees you have.

Before getting into specifics, you should know what a tree survey can do for you.  The surveyor will be able to draw up a tree safety policy, carry out tree hazard assessment surveys if needed, recommend remedial work that needs to be done, prepare budgets and estimates and carry out internal decay detection, thermal imaging, climbing inspections and chlorophyll fluorescence testing on trees that are suspected of being hazardous.  A typical tree survey, whether done for a private homeowner or corporation will define management objectives which provide a balance between conservation and safety.

The best way to do a tree survey is to hire a professional arborist that works with the British Standard BS5837.  This is a guide on how to decide which trees should be retained and what the best way to protect them is when a site is being developed or when you have an individual reason for needing a tree survey done.  It can tell you how to incorporate trees into your landscape and let you know what trees may be hazardous for any reason.  The British Standard BS5837 is used by planners, builders, architects, engineers and anyone wanting to develop land, or those who are considered with their own care and protection of trees.  The BS5837 helps to regulate which tree is of historical value or are rare species and which ones should be removed due to fungal decay or other safety reasons.

There is very specific information that must be included on a tree survey.  This includes:

• Reference number of the tree
• Species of the tree by either the common or scientific name
• Height of the tree in metres
• Stem diameter in centimetres, measured at least 1.5m above ground level
• The south, north, east and west crown radii in metres
• The age class of the tree such as young, semi-mature, mature, post mature or veteran
• Structural condition and physiological condition of the tree such as healthy and vigorous, satisfactory, declining, poor or dead
• Management recommendations for the trees
• The safe useful life expectance of the tree
• Colour coding and categorising of the trees by letter, trees for removal and trees for retention all based on the above data

If following the BS, the tree survey will provide guidance on the minimum distance around the tree that should be protected by fencing as well.  The BS is used regularly by local authorities and while it does not give specific legal protection, it does have many implications.  It is cited in local plans in relation to the requirement of a BS tree survey to be submitted.  This type of tree survey helps authorities evaluable the impact of any proposal on adjacent trees and the impact that it may have on buildings.  It is used in most development applications where there are trees involved and is commonly referred to if there is a need for an appeal.  When development permission is granted the conditions in which it is granted is often from the BS.  Part of the BS is the tree protection plan.  This forms part of the Arboricultural Implication Assessment as well as the Arboricultural Method Statement.  Simply put, it is a scaled drawing that is produced using the AutoCad software which can show the draft or layout proposals, tree retentions, as well as tree and landscape protection measures.  It is extremely important for anyone looking to build on their land nearby to trees.

Keeping in mind that a tree survey is done with all trees with a stem diameter over 75mm at 1.5m height, any and all hedges, significant shrubby vegetation or regeneration needs to be recorded for anyone getting a tree survey.  Also, any off site trees or other vegetation within 10 metres of the property line must also be included.  Tree surveys are not just for developers; they are for anyone who is planning on purchasing a property, building on their property, or if they feel that they trees may be a hazard to people or buildings.

Tree surveys should always be carried out by an experience and qualified arboriculturalist.  You should be able to find out your tree positions which need to be accurately marked on a topographical site survey plan, as well as the location of the stems, tag number, species and canopy spreads.  You will notice a summary table as well which cross references to the tree’s tag number and species which will give you a good idea of the age and how safe they are.  These are the important aspects of a tree survey and should never be overlooked.  Especially important on a tree survey is to find out if there are any trees that have a Tree Preservation Order which means that you have to get special permission to carry out any work on that particular tree.  If you have trees that are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, they should also be noted.

A tree survey, whether it is required or not, is an excellent way to get a sense of what is on your property and how it can affect you.  Usually you will find out that you have great trees that are a danger to no one, but it is always best to err on the side of caution and have a tree survey done periodically so that you are completely familiar with the trees that are growing on your property.