The report categorises the trees in accordance with the British Standard, which will help guide the design of potential development, conducted in accordance with the guidelines contained within BS5837: 2021 ‘Trees in relation to design, demolition and construction – Recommendations (BS5837:2012).

A check was carried out at Harrogate Borough Council to determine whether any of the trees surveyed were subject to any statutory controls. We were informed that all the trees were located within a conservation area and 6 trees were subject to a tree preservation order.

In summary of the surveyed vegetation, there were no trees that were awarded a category A retention, there were 18 trees given a category B, 8 Trees a category C and 3 Trees, a category U.

As a general rule, the trees listed a retention category ‘A’ or retention category ‘B’ are te most valuable items of vegetation and as such the removal of these is likely to be met with resistance by the Local Planning Authority.

The trees listed within a retention category ‘C’ are of lesser value and the removal of these is generally less likely to be met with resistance by the Local Planning authority.

Items which are listed as category ‘U’ comprise of dead trees or trees of limited safe life expectancy and are often recommended removal, irrespective of any proposals.

All trees which are to be retained within the proposed development should be inspected on a regular basis in the interests of risk management. They should also have a biennial re-inspection regime, ideally with the first inspection being undertaken during a different season to observe any defects, pests and diseases that are only evident at certain times of year.

The post Development Survey with Arboricultural Impact Assessment (AIA), HG2 appeared first on JCAAC.

Our consultant visited site and surveyed the trees which were growing within influencing distance of the property.

A total of four trees were surveyed. Out of the four trees, a mature sycamore, was identified with having multiple defects which rendered it structurally unsound. As such this tree required removal as a matter of moderate priority before its condition deteriorated further.

Our consultant concluded that, provided that the sycamore was removed, there were no arboricultural reasons as to why the subject property should not be purchased.

The post Mortgage Survey, HG2 appeared first on JCAAC.

An application to fell the tree was not accepted by Harrogate Borough Council and as such JCA Limited carried out the decay detection assessment in order to fully assess the trees risk and provide an alternative yet suitable management option for the tree if required.

The Sonic Tomograph is a specialised electronic instrument which is used to assess the internal structure of a tree branch or stem. The condition of the tree is assessed by measuring the speed that sound travels through the wood in a number of different directions from a number of set positions.

The results from the Arborsonic Tomograph indicated that there was sound internal wood throughout, and therefore it was not considered to be in a structurally compromised condition that would warrant the need for its imminent removal on the grounds of health and safety.

However, the tree had a wide spreading canopy and had been historically reduced. The tree also dropped a large branch over the neighbour’s driveway, which has left a slightly one-sided/overweighted crown over the road. Therefore, our consultant recommended that the tree have a canopy reduction and crown lift.

The post Decay Detection, HG1 appeared first on JCAAC.

Our consultant was informed by the site manager that the area of excavation would be backfilled and as such the oak tree would not have suffered any root damage from the excavation. Our consultant recommended that the backfilling of soil should be done immediately and was told this would be done the following day

The condition of the tree was also inspected, and it was noted that it had fully matured and was now in decline, with fungal brackets on a large bark wound which had the onset of decay, which was likely to worsen over the next few years.

As such it was recommended that this tree was to be inspected regularly by the Arboricultural consultant for future development projects, especially post development when the target value of the tree is increased. In conclusion our consultant confirmed that the excavation of Japanese Knotweed roots had no significant effect on the mature oak as it was carried out with caution, and under strict supervision.

The post Site Supervision, HG3 appeared first on JCAAC.