Arboricultural Management

Why trees matter

It’s hard to imagine a world without trees. As well as being beautiful, trees are essential to their local and global environment. Often referred to as ‘the lungs of the earth’, trees help combat climate change – absorbing carbon and releasing oxygen into the atmosphere through photosynthesis. At a local level, trees play a major part in providing natural, sustainable drainage. In urban areas, shade from trees produces a cooling effect. They also diffuse noise, reduce pollution and soften an otherwise stark landscape.

What PBA Consulting do

We take the guesswork out of evaluating treescapes. We use specialist equipment including Ground Penetrating Radar root scanning, Resistograph micro-drill and or TreeRadar scanning. This helps map tree root locations accurately and enables decay detection. This investigative work is supported by laboratory analysis when required.

Keeping Amenity Trees healthy

Trees provide amenity benefits to the public. They are found in diverse range of locations, from highway boundaries to private gardens to entire woodlands. Ancient trees are also valuable amenity trees containing unique eco-systems. To promote the health of amenity trees, PBA Consulting offers:

• management advice on cultural techniques, maintenance and replacement to ensure tree health, form and vigour.
• a structured approach to carrying out tree stock assessments, preparing strategy and management plans.
• specification of new and replacement trees
• supervision of amenity tree planting to ensure best practice

Our consultancy work on trees falls into 3 broad categories:

Highway Trees

Highway tree management focuses on tree health in relation to highway safety. We are experienced in surveying highway trees, carrying out risk and hazard assessments and specifying work required.

Section 154 of the Highways Act 1980 empowers authorities to deal with dangerous trees within falling distance of the highway. These include those on adjacent private land. We have a depth of experience in such issues, including liaison with private landowners.

We use vehicle-mounted GIS/GPS video-linked tree assessments systems on busy highways. This enables the location of potentially hazardous trees to be safely identified and recorded. More detailed follow-up surveys can then be carried out with minimum traffic management.

Tree management and property development/construction

Local Planning Authorities invariably require a Tree Survey in accordance with BS5837 2005: Trees In Relation To Construction as part of the planning process. This provides recommendations on the care and protection of trees on development sites. PBA Consulting’s Arboriculturalists offer:

• balanced judgements on the retention and protection of trees
• advice on achieving the satisfactory juxtaposition of trees, shrubs, hedges and building structures
• advice on root protection areas, tree protection zones, ground protection and the planting of new trees close to structures.

Homeowners Tree Reports and other services

Many mortgage lenders and insurance companies require Home Owners Tree Reports. PBA Consulting’s reports satisfy the requirements of insurance companies and mortgage lenders, providing:

• the condition of the tree(s)
• the anticipated lifespan of the tree(s)
• the likelihood of the tree(s) causing direct or indirect damage to the building – including subsidence

The additional services we provide to homeowners include:

• advice on the care and management of trees within their property
• advice and guidance when tree-related disputes arise
• implementation and supervision of work
• liaison with Local Authorities over Tree Preservation Orders (TPO) and other issues

See how our Landscape Management service works in real life:

Arboricultural Case Study

Find out more about the services we provide:

Surveys Planning Requirements Contract Management Management Planning
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