Many people consider deadwood as a long-gone part of the tree, as it is not even a living part attached to the tree anymore. However, the more correct way of referring to it is as ‘decaying’, instead of dead. It contributes to the diverse ecosystems that trees are part of and is not just a static limb. 

Decay essentially means a progression of use by a number of different organisms. Some organisms thrive in fresh wood, while others are involved in the breakdown of woody tissues. In some sense, decaying wood can be considered a habitat in its own right. Woodland managers and arborists often remove deadwood on the principle of hygiene. Doing so protects the remaining timber resources from various pests, like fungi and insects. This is especially the case in public parks and gardens, where dead wood is in fact a serious risk for people and property. But there is a problem with this, and it lies in the fact that many important species don’t find the necessary habitat to live and thrive. As a result, the arboreal system experiences a serious downside due to the lack of deadwood. 

The way that deadwood positively impacts arboreal ecosystems lies with factors like carbon storage, biodiversity, soil nutrients cycling, energy flows and hydrological processes. And while all of that is now largely understood by arborists, many of the previous generations of them have been focused on clearing deadwood. 

One example of the issue of clearing deadwood completely lies with some of the rare species, associated with veteran and ancient trees. A lot of them can only be found on sites with a higher amount of decaying wood. With organisms that rely on decaying wood becoming more isolated, trees are more vulnerable than ever. 

The signs of decaying wood habitats 

There are 2 recognised signs of decaying wood habitats. One has to do with standing trunks, branches and limbs around the tree. The second is cavities within the trunk and branches, where decay is taking effect. The habitats created because of these processes are different and recreating them takes different techniques. 

• Standing deadwood – regardless if it is about branches or whole trunks, standing deadwood is easier to recreate. There are a few techniques that arborists utilise, such as destructive pruning and ring barking trunks and branches. This type of decay takes place from the outside in, creating the ideal habitat for invertebrates, lichens and fungi. 
  
  
• Decay within the trunks/branches – the techniques involved in recreating this sort of decay are much more complex. Since the decay decomposes from the inside out. It creates cavities within seemingly healthy trunks, which are then populated by fungi and invertebrates. 
  
  

The methods utilised in creating a habitat

• Destructive pruning – often used to create a habitat in trees. It involves techniques like decay creation within the trunk and the main branch structure of the trees. 
  
  
• Veteranisation – this is a pruning technique, which aims to ‘age’ a tree prematurely in a more controlled manner. The goal is to create a habitat and stimulate the formation of another secondary crown. 
  
  
• Natural fracture pruning – these are pruning techniques that mimic the natural process of branch loss, such as after severe storms. Small branches can be cut from the above side and removed from the crown. By leaving a fractured or split branch at the end, they remain unassociated with existing growing points. 
  
  

© Treeworks Environmental Practice

The purpose of a tree survey is to provide essential information on the trees within a given area. Whether it is a private or public landscape, arborists can survey the land and gather data on the tree species, their age, condition, metrics and more. Also, the tree survey aims to provide information on various tree pests and diseases that may be present, as well as assess the risk of subsidence in the area. The survey outlines ways that a tree can be protected during any developments being made in the area, as well as provides information on tree preservation orders and more. 

There are many different surveys that you can get for your property. The experts conduct each to a certain professional standard, based on your requirements. Here are some of the tree surveys you can have for your property: 

• Condition report – in case you are managing a certain number of trees on your property and you want to find out more about their condition, then this survey is the right one to get. Professionals survey the trees and assess the potential risks associated with trees. They will then provide you with specific recommendations on how to manage these risks. 
  
  
• A survey for planning purposes – whenever you want to submit a planning application, you need to consider the trees in the area. There is a tree survey you will need to get before anything else – the BS5837 survey. Only qualified arboricultural consultants can provide such a survey. They gather specific data in the area and feature it on their report. The main reason for getting such a survey is to get yourself planning consent. It is also essential for determining how you can lower the risk of damage to the trees during any development in the area. 
  
  
• A tree survey for subsidence management – if there is a case of subsidence, you need a tree survey to identify the trees that are causing it. The goal of such a survey is to outline what steps can be taken to minimise the damage and prevent any future risk. Subsidence really isn’t a minor thing, as it can cause property damage and halt construction. Getting a proper survey is essential for managing such an issue, and for this reason, you will need to contact an experienced team of arborists to conduct the work on surveying the area and its trees. 
  
  
• A survey for buying a house – when you are buying a house, you will find that mortgage lenders usually require a tree survey. That is because they want to be in the know about any potential risks, including subsidence. Besides, trees do add value to a property, so it is essential to consult the right experts for the job. 
  
  
• Tree Preservation Order – various local authorities create tree preservation orders. They do so under the Countryside and Rights of Way act. The orders concern different trees, from specific ones to the entire area/woodland. The TPO is a tool to protect trees against acts of removal and anything that would otherwise contribute to a loss of amenity. Improper pruning is also a thing to be mindful of, which is why a TPO exists. Opposing a TPO is possible, although you will have to consult with an arborist company on how to manage the process. Once a company has conducted a tree survey, they should be able to tell whether the trees fall under the protection of a TPO. 
  
  

As you know more about the different kinds of surveys, you are now better equipped to get experts and conduct the right one. 

© Treework Environmental Practice

If you want to clear some land in the UK, which has trees, you will likely require a tree survey. This is something that professional arborists can carry out for you. If you are not sure what a tree survey is and how to get one, then the following guide is right for you. 

What is a tree survey/tree report? 

Tree surveys represent the process of gathering detailed data about trees present on a given property. These surveys aim to acquire more information about trees on both public and private landscapes. The reason why one would want to get a tree survey lies with the fact that owners of the land and representatives of the management team behind it have a legal duty to maintain the health and safety of trees, especially if the land is open to the public. Furthermore, to make the right decisions about the area owners need to have the expert level of information, which arborists can acquire during a tree survey. It is usually performed to the BS5837 standard. It presents a guideline for all of the data that needs to go into the survey, for it to be of any legal use. 

What information do tree surveys collect?

The British Standard BS5837 accumulates all of the information necessary for tree surveys. Based on it, the experts provide data on: 

• The number of trees in the area 
• The species of trees in the area 
• Giving a unique reference number to each of the individual trees 
• Age of trees – sometimes given by class, i.e. young, mature, veteran 
• The life expectancy of trees 
• The diameter of the trunk 
• Radii of the crown 
• The health of trees – features structural and physiological condition 
• Management recommendations 

All of this is mostly information for the experts to read and make recommendations based on. It is what makes the tree survey viable. 

How to determine if you require a survey? 

Carrying out a tree survey is required by law in many areas. One of the reasons for this is the species of trees in the area, many of which require protection. The Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981 sets out the directives, which protect certain trees, i.e. stating they cannot be cut down. Another reason for tree surveys lies with developing the landscape. For those who want to build within the vicinity of trees, they will require a tree survey to determine whether the trees there are under a tree protection order and how to minimise the negative impact of development on them. Trees add great value to any property, and so any designer out there will first want to see a tree survey for recommendations on how to prevent any damage. Another important reason for tree surveys lies with detecting pests, diseases and structural damage, as well as the need to prune or otherwise assist the tree so that it doesn’t become a hazard. 

Do you need a tree survey? 

If you are close to finalising the plans for the development of your property, and you have a desire to add ancillary buildings or extensions, then a tree survey is something you need to get. If you need service lines or change of access to the property, you will also need a survey. It should include all of the trees present there, including any that are within influential distance. Needless to say, it has to be carried out by professional arborists, who know how to conduct the survey from A to Z and come up with the necessary data and recommendations. 

© Treework Environmental Practice

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