Home
Services
Services Offered
Tree Surveys
Contact
Accurate Assessment Tree Surveying
Using the latest technology, Boswell and Company can accurately assess the health of your tree in order to advise on the most appropriate course of action. Resistographs are used to measure the mechanical properties of the wood and endoscopes give us a clear view of what is happening in cavities and fissures in your tree.
There are many reasons that a tree survey may be necessary:
Tree Preservation Orders
Trees are protected by law and carrying out work to a TPO protected tree without first carrying out a tree survey can result in a heavy fine.
A tree that has a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) on it is protected because it may be under threat or has a public interest of some sort such as if it can be seen from a public place.? TPOs are specifically put into effect if the local council feels that it may be taken down to facilitate land development, or have reduction/shaping work carried out that is inappropriate to the surroundings.? If you are planning to carry out work on a tree that has a tree preservation order then it is absolutely necessary to get a tree survey done.? Often the work that needs to be done on a protected tree may consist of taking down a tree that is dying, or removing parts of a tree that are dead or significantly ageing.? A tree survey will be able to tell you and the council whether or not the work should be carried out. Results of the survey are then submitted to the council with the appropriate form and a detailed statement of the work to be done. By using a qualified arborist like Boswell and Company, you can be confident that the information in the survey will be accurate and that the subsequent work will be right for your tree, your needs and for the environment.
Development and Synergistic PlantingMany commercial and private developers will need tree surveys to make sure that the landscaping of their development looks right, and that new planting is not going to cause problems with existing trees.
Tree surveys are an important tool that is used by developers and individual property owners.? They are used to take note of various elements of their landscaping and to ensure that the trees on the property are healthy and maintained.? A tree survey that is done properly can provide tree care and other information that can save a landowner thousands of dollars later on down the road.? This is due in part because of the enormous range of tree ages and types that can be found on a property.? Knowing the particular types of trees is essential to ensuring the good health of the landscape in general.
For example, you may not know that you have an aging tree right next to a sapling that is just developing roots.? This may kill the sapling and lead to many problems with the aging tree as well.? A tree survey will help to record the size and location of each tree and can be used to manage the life of the trees on your property.? A tree survey can also be used to develop future landscaping on your property as well.? There is nothing more important than a tree survey to check the health of any tree to make sure that they grow in a healthy manner and prosper in light of infestation, age, and other causes of death.? Let?s look at some of the other various reasons that you may need a tree survey.
Neighbour DisputesTrees very often mark or straddle property boundaries, and can be involved in disputes between neighbours over who is responsible for what. Boswell and Company can help resolve these disputes with an accurate tree survey.
One of the most common reasons that people need a tree survey is to deal with the inevitable neighbour complaint or dispute.? For example, one of the most general reasons is tree root damage.? Quite often a person who owns land with a growing tree may hear from their neighbours that the roots are causing damage to the neighbour?s home.? They often ask for the cost of repairing the damage, but without a tree survey no one will ever know what exactly caused the damage.? Therefore by getting a reliable company to do a tree survey you can have the surveyor inspect the property to find out how bad the damage is, confirm that the roots caused the damage and what if anything can be done with the tree.? This tree survey can then be given to a builder or repairman in order to find out the proper estimate to fix the damage.? A tree survey should also be used in case there is a dispute on who the tree belongs to or if someone wants to carry out work on it and is not sure how it will affect the nearby homeowner.? In every case that a tree may be in question the proper thing to do is to get a tree survey to avoid any unnecessary neighbour complaints later on.
Subsidence SitesCases where buildings have subsided can be very complex and be the result of a number of causes. A thorough survey of trees and hedges can help.
In as many as 80% of subsidence cases, the trees or shrubs are suspected as having contributed to the building?s movement.? This can all be avoided with the use of a tree survey.? Trees can cause the movement due to soil water abstraction by tree roots which in turn can cause clay shrinkage between the foundations.? A tree survey can be used to check the vegetation appraisal, root identification, soil analysis and off level monitoring to help avoid problems that could arise.? In subsidence cases tree surveys should be done every few years.
Hazard EvaluationIn cases of personal injury, the person owning the land upon which a dangerous tree stands is held liable for any damage it may cause.
To know if you have a hazardous situation you may want to get a tree survey done.? A tree is hazardous due to many reasons such as decay or structural weakness.? If it shows any of these signs then the person who owns the land on which the tree stands can be held liable under the UK law.? This pertains to any personal injury sustained in the falling or breaking of the branches or the tree itself.? The person who?s land the tree is on has the common duty to take care of the tree for anyone walking by, or someone who is on the property itself.? This is why it is so important to do a tree survey periodically to make sure there is no risk to a person or their property while they are on your land.? The frequency of the tree survey depends on the location of the trees and how many people pass by it on a daily basis as well as its condition.? When a tree survey is done you will know if there are any hazards associated with the tree and you will find out the recommendations to control or eliminate that risk.
Mortgage and InsuranceExisting trees can have a profound effect on the value and viability of a property or piece of land. To help make sure you avoid any unpleasant surprises later on, a thorough tree survey can point to problems that could prove costly.
Living in a well landscaped area with mature trees can enhance your property value.? However, many mortgage providers as well as insurers may require a tree survey to be done when the trees are in close proximity to other buildings.? This will assess any likely risk that is posed to the other structure from subsidence on shrinkable clay soils, as well as hazardous trees or blocked drains.? Because of the proximity to many other buildings with new homes and new developments being built, it is much more common for a mortgage lender or insurer to ask for a tree survey.? It may be in your best interest to have it ready if you are planning on purchasing a home with mature trees located next to other buildings or homes.
About Tree SurveysTree surveys can save a lot of time, trouble and expense. In choosing a practitioner to carry out your survey, it is worth considering their experience, track record and the standards to which they work.
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:
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.
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.