5837 and woodland

[Tom D]

Does anyone have a definitive answer as to wether it is necessary to tag and survey every tree in a woodland area for a 5837 survey? We have been asked to survey a large is area of mostly sycamore re-gen, many trees all of maybe 200-300mm. It would seem pointless to survey every one and make more sense to survey all those requiring work and then make general recommendations regarding the rest.

 

I'd be interested to hear your thoughts.

[Andymacp]

I'm going to do similar tomorrow on a site. Just going to carry out a negative survey. Identify ones to be worked on. I could go through the lot 350+ but the client would never pay what it would cost.

[John Shutler]

I would say that as long as the rpa of the edge trees protected the rpa's of the trees behind then you could probably suffice with a condition survey of the trees within falling distance of the development

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk

[Paul Barton]

No need to survey every tree. Here's an extract from the BS:

 

4.4.2.3 Trees growing as groups or woodland should be identified and assessed

as such where the arboriculturist determines that this is appropriate. However,

an assessment of individuals within any group should still be undertaken if there

is a need to differentiate between them, e.g. in order to highlight significant

variation in attributes (including physiological or structural condition).

 

NOTE The term “group” is intended to identify trees that form cohesive

arboricultural features either aerodynamically (e.g. trees that provide companion

shelter), visually (e.g. avenues or screens) or culturally, including for biodiversity (e.g.

parkland or wood pasture), in respect of each of the three subcategories (see 4.5).

 

4.4.2.4 The categorization of a group or woodland can reflect a future potential

that is contingent on appropriate management being undertaken to promote

the development of the better specimens, based upon established arboricultural

and silvicultural principles. Such management requirements should be noted

under “general observations” within the schedule and included within the

post-development management plan (see 8.8.3).

 

NOTE Typically, the works will need to be phased over a number of years so as to

maintain the necessary degree of companion shelter.

[Tom D]

Nice one Paul, its sometimes easier to post on here than look it up..

[Paul Barton]

No worries!

 

Following on from your question, how do you (and others) calculate and show the RPA of groups and woodlands?

 

Offset from the stems by the average diameter/largest diameter?

 

Estimated offset from crown edge?

 

Measure stem diameter of every edge tree and plot umpteen circular RPAs?

[slack ma girdle]

For most situations like this i normally work out an average stem diameter, and use that to create the RPA along the woodland edge. I will however make note of any significant trees that are worthy of mention in there own right, and record them individually.

[daltontrees]

No worries!

 

Following on from your question, how do you (and others) calculate and show the RPA of groups and woodlands?

 

Offset from the stems by the average diameter/largest diameter?

 

Estimated offset from crown edge?

 

Measure stem diameter of every edge tree and plot umpteen circular RPAs?

 

Trees on edge of woodlands don't have circular RPA requirements, though.

[Paul Barton]

Trees on edge of woodlands don't have circular RPA requirements, though.

 

They were just hypotheticals to illustrate my question Jules. How do you calculate and show woodland RPAs?

[Paul Barton]

Ha! Thanks for the un-enlightening discussion chaps!