Tree Consultancy and Reporting Services.

Tree Consultancy/Management services

Collectively, Acorn Tree Surgery’s survey/management team have surveyed over 30,000 trees for local authorities and commercial clients throughout the UK. These tasks have been undertaken using current industry GIS survey systems such as Arbortrak, AutoCAD and Mapmaker, utilizing sub-foot GPS location devices where needed.

Trees are plotted on geo-referenced digital maps whilst on- site/in the field. Data manipulation/transfer is undertaken in an office environment. Each tree surveyed is systematically inspected by arboricultural consultants for spatial attributes and evidence/signs of bio-mechanical/pathogenic faults. In addition, defects which may or may not be visible to the naked eye are identified and given the correct nomenclature describing the species, cause and prevention (if available) for each individual tree.


British Standard 5837 Trees in Relation to Construction (2005)

Primarily, clients seeking this level or type of survey are involved commercially in the construction/development of land which may have trees close to a proposed development. We as a company have many years’ experience liaising between Local Authority Planning Departments and construction companies seeking conflict resolution regarding complicated tree-related issues.

However, more and more private land owners are becoming aware of the Occupiers Liability Act 1957 & 1984 and the duty to take such care as is reasonable to ensure that visitors on their land shall be safe from harm. Health condition surveys identify mechanical/structural defects which may pose a risk to members of the public or other targets and give remedial actions as a control measure.

Retained trees can give a new site a feeling of permanence which can take decades to replace/ reproduce, providing the right trees are retained and properly protected. The Local Planning Authority (LPA) will expect to see observance of the recommendations in BS5837: 2005, Trees in Relation to Construction. Depending on the site, this may include:

• Species, height, diameter at brest height (DBH), crown spread at the four cardinal compass points and crown clearance from ground level.
• BS 5837 over shadowing predictions for tree crowns on development sites for any time, day or location in the UK.
• Arboricultural Implication Assessments which typically include Root Protection Areas (RPA), access/egress, material storage areas, changes in levels.
• Root Protection Zone (RPZ) fencing erecting – This service usually involves consultations between developers and Local Authorities allowing the alteration and establishment of suggested protection methods. 

Additional Consultancy Tree Management Services

• Air spade/soil pick – This ingenious piece of equipment allows for the non-destructive investigation of root zones or rizospheres of trees to establish density and distribution of tree roots.  Once distribution and location have been established remedial actions can be undertaken to safely install underground services and/or re surfacing.
• Area measurement using Land Survey and Ordinance Survey data
• Supply of DRA and DXF format digital maps for any area within the United Kingdom.  These base map tiles can be used in conjunction with tree data capture or for other applications requested by the client.
• Bio-diversity studies of woodland/urban woodland habitats using indicator species to help establish extent of species/habitats
• National Vegetation Classification (NVC) for areas of woodland which need a greater classification.
• Wild fire management plans
• Veteran tree management
• Agro forestry management (suggested stocking densities species selection of silvo-pastoral/arable sites)

Company survey equipment 1. GPS Tree location using the Magellan CX™ hand-held survey equipment (sub-foot plotting of trees can be achieved for more precise mapping). 2. PICUS® Sonic Tomograph (used to establish the thickness/percentage of the sound residual wall in a tree stem, this is professionally referred to as the t/R ratio, where ‘t’ is the thickness of the healthy remaining wall and ‘R’ the radius.) 3. Resistograph micro drill (gives a sample of inner tree strength/decay) 4. Infra-red digital photography used to supplement non-invasive decay detection equipment. 5. Digital Hypsometer (sub cm height/diameter) 6. Sunto™ tandem clinometer (aspect, height, position) To find out more about the Tree Consultancy and Reporting Services available from Acorn Tree Surgery, contact our Managing Director Kevin O’Rourke today on 0800 093 3898 or e-mail mail@acorntreesurgery.com