Tuesday 3 May 2011

Tree Surveys - Restless Humanity’s Efforts to be at ease with itself

A famous philosopher U.G. Krishnamurthy has advised humanity not to worry about saving the Earth but rather saving itself! But, anyways, we, being restless species cannot help doing something when the environment is really at stake! By the way, Japan seems to be the ardent follower of U.G.! Anyways, jokes apart, tree surveys are just a small gesture (not sure whether it is genuine or not) of human concern towards environment. The science of production, maintenance and preservation of trees and shrubs is called Arboriculture. In United Kingdom, the major intention of carrying out such tree surveys is to protect both the trees and the individual land owners. Any professional Arboricultural service provides guidance regarding trees management protected by Tree Preservation Orders or Conservation Area Status. Such guidance is provided irrespective of the fact whether trees are coming in the way of development or not. Other techniques for the management of the trees in both urban and countryside areas include selection of tree, planting, care and subsequent eradication.

According to the section 197 of the Town and Country Planning Act, it is the responsibility of the local authority to make sure that any development meets the criteria of necessary conditions regarding the preservation or plantation of the trees. And, it is also the duty of the local authority to release such orders also called Tree Preservation Orders in case it is necessary while granting the development permission. The order considers it an offense if the trees are cut down, pruned, uprooted, intentionally damaged or destroyed without the written consent of the council. If the trees are near to the proposed development site, their details need to be submitted in accordance with BS5837:2005 “Trees in relation to construction – Recommendations” In the wake of such stringent Government rules, it is important to take the professional help as they are expert in preparing the tree surveys schedules, tree Constraints Plans, Arboricultural Implications Assessments, Arboricultural Method Statements and Tree Protection Plans. The reason behind carrying out such plans is that no development plan or scheme can be executed if trees come in the way of that specific development. If the design or application stages face trees as constraints, and their details are not submitted to the local council, it is an open invitation to Tree Preservation Orders.