Basic Tree Survey and Inspection Course

[APC]

Its a woodland but when it hasnt been properly managed for nearly 15 years we need to do some tree work. We got severel complaints from members of the public who were concerned about the state of some of the Beech trees. It is not an uncommon thing to get 5 complaints in a week about trees in a specific area. W

 

 

Just to clear things up Matt, are you only felling trees far away from access routes?

[AA Teccie (Paul)]

Just another quick thought as an alternative.

 

Rather than managing the trees whihc would seem to be of very high ecological, wildlife and habitat value, could you not manage the (seemingly very occasional) targets by either re-routing the footpaths away from the trees OR excluding the targets (people) during inclement weather, i.e. high winds? Westonbirt and other gardens open to the public close when winds get over a certain speed...granted Counicl owned woodland would be very difficult.

 

Dunno..?

 

Paul.

 

PS re the Basic Tree Inspection course it's essentially a basic 'tree hazard spotting' course for none professionals rather than a training course to become a professional, although all knowledge is good.

[Matthew Arnold]

Most of the paths are more desire lines than official paths. The trees that are next to the much more used paths are checked on a regular basis especially after gust of 20 mph or more. We have a a few close calls with large limbs from trees on well used desire lines but the trees being felled are normally ones that are in a very bad state and overhanging the surfaced paths. We are also removing the large deadwood from the crowns of the trees that are over the paths. The only trees we fell are ones with extremely severe weaknesses ( big splits, hung up limbs, moving rootplates, large groups of fungal fruiting bodies, etc). We do have a tree which is due to come out in the next couple of years (unless it fails on its own) with a severely damaged root plate caused by the old favourite giant polypore. There is a lift of approximately 2 ft on one side but luckily it is leaning away from the grade 1 listed cottage. If it does go it will take out about 20 trees.

[Arbocop]

Ranger MAtt was it critchel estate i was a student forester there in the early 80's

 

as for the advice i teach the basic tree survay cource and you have to remember it is an 'alam bells cource' basically desigened to make people look with open eyes but also to know when to call for help, the basis of any felling must take in to account all relivant factors not just condition, the american Payne i think was the first to say 'if there is nothing for the tree to hit there is nothing for you to do'......

 

 

kev