Arboriculture Consultancy Services
Tree Surveys
A tree survey is undertaken to establish what trees and other woody vegetation are existing on a site. The findings of the survey will identify any necessary tree works and potential future hazards which early remedial tree work could reduce or remove. The survey will produce comprehensive information on the condition of the existing tree stock, allowing the formulation of a tree management strategy to maintain the existing trees and where required, a planting programme to ensure tree cover in the future.
Tree Report/ Hazard evaluation
A more in-depth assessment of the condition of an individual tree or a number of trees than a basic tree survey. A tree report is relevant where there are concerns regarding the health or structural condition of a tree. This could be due to disease, decay or structural weakness. A hazard evaluation will be undertaken to assess the potential risk of the tree, or a part of the tree, failing and recommend appropriate tree works to control or eliminate that risk.
Duty of Care-Occupiers liability
An occupiers’ liability is governed by the Occupiers' Liability Acts 1957 and 1984. The occupier of the land on which a tree stands is normally liable for any harm or injury if the tree or part of the tree fails.
The law outlines an occupiers' responsibility, known in law as 'the duty of care', to take reasonable care to avoid acts or omissions which he could reasonably foresee may result in harm or injury. When an occupier fails to exercise his responsibility the result may be a claim for negligence.
The Courts expect occupiers to make regular inspections of their trees and to take reasonable steps to reduce risk where appropriate.
Through regular recorded tree inspections, Silverback Arboricultural Consultancy will ensure your legal duty of care is met and offer peace of mind to tree owners.
Disease identification and Prognosis
The correct identification of diseases affecting trees will dictate the on-going management of the tree and allow a strategy to be formulated that will reduce any risk posed by the tree whilst allowing its retention where possible. If the tree is considered to be beyond help, knowledge of what caused its demise will prevent any future plantings suffering the same fate.
Management of Veteran and Ancient Trees
There are many definitions of veteran and or ancient trees. Natural England guidelines state “A 'veteran tree' is usually in the second or mature stage of its life and has important wildlife and habitat features including: hollowing or associated decay fungi; holes; wounds and large dead branches.
Management of veteran and ancient trees is often needed to ensure that the threats posed by the trees themselves do not result in the loss of the trees and the value associated with them. Once identified, surveyed, and appropriate work such as exclusion fencing is undertaken, further management may not involve doing very much most of the time. The essential point is that the trees and their situation are checked at regular intervals and management carried out only if it is necessary.
Woodland Surveys and Management Plan
A woodland survey will assess the species of woody vegetation (trees and shrubs) present within the existing woodland. It will also identify the presence of trees and other plants which may be considered undesirable. This data can then be used to create a woodland management plan to suit your requirements. This could be focussed on increasing the amenity, conservation value or bio-diversity of the woodland, or its productivity if you’re looking for a timber crop. A woodland management plan will also be essential if you are applying for a woodland grant.
Silverback Arboricultural Consultancy can also produce a management plan to establish new woodland, recommending suitable species selection, planting distances and protection against pest such as rabbits or deer.
Woodland management plans typically cover five or ten years but may extend further if required.
Mortgage Report relating to Trees
A mortgage report is usually requested as part of a mortgage application if there are trees or woody vegetation near the property or present in a neighbouring property. The report will assess the condition of the trees and give an assessment of the potential for those trees to cause damage to the property. Damage may be caused by branches making contact with the building causing direct damage or indirect damage resulting from root activity causing ground movement beneath the building's foundations. A mortgage report can also make an assessment of the likelihood of adjacent structures being affected by subsidence as a result of the tree's presence.
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