Landscaping Advice
We are often called upon to provide landscaping advice notes on a variety of topics. We have added a collection of documents here which we hope will be useful.
Tree Survey to British Standard 5837 (BS5837)
A tree survey, in accord with BS5837: Trees in Relation to Construction is normally required by Planning Authorities on development sites where trees are present.
Recognition of Hazardous Trees
Roots anchor the tree as well as take up moisture and nutrients. Hidden defects to the root system are often reflected in leaf condition.
Giant Hogweed
Giant Hogweed is a species common in the UK; not only does it create an environmental problem, contact with the plant may give rise to occupational health risks.
Himalayan Balsam
Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) is a relative of the Busy Lizzie. It is known by a wide variety of common names, including Indian balsam, jumping jack and policeman's helmet.
Japanese Knotweed
Plant hunters introduced Japanese Knotweed in to the UK as an ornamental plant during the 1800s. It forms dense clumps up to three metres in height. It has large, oval green leaves and a stem that is hollow and similar to bamboo.
Ragwort
Ragwort is one of five injurious weeds specified in the Weeds Act 1959. If eaten, ragwort causes long-term cumulative liver damage in livestock and other animals, and can have potentially fatal consequences.
Technical Reports
We have produced a number of exemplar technical reports and documents based on real life situations covering landscape, arboricultural and environmental management issues. These are designed to give you an informative overview of some of the specific topics we have advised on. To view, please click on the appropriate links below.
Arboricultural Practice update
The latest research and development confirms the accuracy and use of TreeRadar GPR and the value of this equipment for trenchless subsurface investigations, including its use in the case of BS5837 Arboricultural Impact Assessments.
Ground Penetrating Radar Accurately Locates Tree Roots
TreeRadarTM ground-penetrating radar accurately locates tree roots under pavements. Research and study by Cornell University, U.S.A. on trials carried out around Norway maples planted in 2003.
Grounds Contract - Review and Report
PBA Consulting carried out a review of the contract documentation prepared by a local town council to ensure the document reflects current legislation and regulations.
Grounds Maintenance Contractor Guidance Notes
Prepared as part of performance driven grounds contract designed to deliver a high standard of maintenance. The scope of work covered a complete range of facilities including sports surfaces, prestige grounds and trees. These guidance notes were provided to give guidance on pro-active management regimes required by the contractor and ensure parity in tender and value.
Home Owners Report: Tree Condition Assessment
Prepared following the assessment of the condition of a red oak tree with possible infection by Armillaria species (honey fungus). It is situated in the front garden of a private property and is within falling distance of the house and highway.
Ice Rink: Landscape Impact Assessment
The site is located in a Conservation Area and associated with Grade 1 listed buildings. This impact assessment was carried out prior to the installation use and removal of a proposed ice skating rink and associated facilities within the grounds of the Museum.
Mature Trees Within Pavements - Design Recommendations
A review with recommendations for a design detail for surrounds to existing mature trees within a re-paving contract. The design integrates paving around trees whilst giving due regard to the root-zone requirements of trees. The design includes a unique system to prevent new roots developing between the sand bedding material and the new paving slabs.
MOD: Tree Survey and Five Year Management Plan
A model tree inspection report and management plan. This was prepared to meet the requirements of the MoD to provide tree management planning for the real estate. It covers tree and woodland management planning, contains an overall strategy and a five year plan of operations and works required.
MOD: Watercourse Survey Protocols Plan
This watercourse management plan identifies priorities for survey work. It provided protocols for the survey to ensure the current specie status was identified to enable detailed management and prescriptions to be prepared to retain (or recover) populations to sustainable levels.
Museum Grounds Contract: Instructions To Tenderers
This document outlines the tendering procedure required to ensure delivery of the tender on time. The document also ensures that the scope of work is fully understood.
New Development: Riverside Improvements and Management
This specification was prepared to improve the bio-diversity of the river bank adjacent to the development site. It specifies the management of pollards and native shrubs and the planting of the water edge with indigenous species. It includes management recommendations to reduce Himalayan balsam and to encourage a more diverse flora and fauna.
New Road Junction: Arboricultural Impact Assessment
The principles of BS 5837: 2005 Trees In Relation To Construction were applied to a survey and visual assessment of the trees at this new road junction. This assessment was to consider the likely impact of the proposed new road widening scheme on trees and to provide mitigation measures to protect any that may be affected.
Reduce Grounds Maintenance Costs without Reducing Standards
PBA Consulting’s senior staff have over 40 years’ experience in managing large public sector grounds contracts - they know how to cut costs not grass cutting standards. Check out our ten point plan.
The Use of Ground Penetrating Radar to Locate Roots & Services
TreeRadar Ground Penetrating Radar plots and provides quantified information on the depth and position of tree roots, underground services and other objects; without excavation or use of an Air-spade. Technical report in Arboriculture & Urban Forestry 2011.
Tree Radar Decay Detection
Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR) has been in use for over 30 years. A noninvasive technology, it is used to locate objects underground including engineering and environmental targets i.e. tree roots; without the need for excavation.
Tree Radar for Badger Runs
Case study to locate the extent of a Badger set. It is possible to detect underground voids with a high level of accuracy.
Tree Radar Root Detection
GPR has been in use for over 30 years to locate objects underground – a noninvasive method of detecting engineering and environmental targets, without the need for excavation. The use of GPR instrumentation and bespoke software for subsurface structural tree root mapping has now become available.
Tree Radar Root Locator
Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR) has been in use for over 30 years as non-invasive subsurface investigation technology to “see” what is underground without excavations! It is used to locate objects underground including engineering and environmental targets. It can also provide sub-surface information on historical land use including past cultivations/excavations and now, tree roots!
Utility Company: The effects of Methane Gas on trees
High concentrations of Methane Gas can asphyxiate tree roots and cause death and or damage. This report outlines investigations carried out along the route of a narrow bore pipeline adjacent to a public road and under trees and gives conclusions as to the probability of damage.
Articles and Press Releases
Tree Radar used on Vasa Historic Warship
PBA Consulting is the first consultancy in the world to use TreeRadar GPR to investigate the internal condition of timber ship masts – this one was over 35 metres high.
Unearthing history at the Rebel Tree, Clifton
A case study of an historic tree and how TreeRadar was effectively used to determine the extent of the root zone.
National Maritime Museum: Lawn Damage and Reinstatement Proposals
Following the Millennium celebrations the lawns of the museum were badly damaged. This report provides a photographic record of the damage caused with recommendations for reinstatement.