Report No. 614
Tree Condition Survey
The Avenue, Kingston
Undertaken by Nicholas D Jones NCH Arb A I Hort
On behalf of Kingston Parish Council
August 2008
Contents
Introduction
The Survey
General Observations
Conclusions and Recommendations
Introduction
Formal details - My name is Nicholas Jones I am the principal arboricultural consultant for R W Green Limited based at The Lister Building, Upper Stoneham Farm, Lewes, East Sussex, BN8 5RH. I have 20 years experience in the arboricultural industry with the past 6 years acting as a consultant; I am a LANTRA accredited Professional Tree Inspector giving advice to clients on a wide range of arboricultural issues.
This survey has been commissioned by Kingston Parish Council to ascertain the general condition of the trees within the verges adjacent to The Avenue, Kingston. The site was visited on 14th August 2008 and the survey undertaken.
Particular attention has been paid to potential Health and Safety risks with appropriate remedial action recommended. All trees have been assessed from ground level only using non invasive methods of inspection.
The Survey
All trees located in the verges of The Avenue between the junction of Lockitt Way and Church Lane have been individually tagged with a reference number.
The survey information collated is as follows:
More over all trees surveyed have been given an amenity value score which gives an indication of the trees importance with in the local environment. The scale is scored between 1 and 5 with 1 being low 5 being high. Factors such as species diversity, dimensions, ecological value and aesthetic worth are key factors in determining the value. This information is of key importance when determining the extent of any prescribed works when considering the hazard risk rating.
Furthermore all trees have been risk assessed and assigned a hazard risk rating which is defined as: 1 = low risk (Green), 2 = medium risk (Amber), 3 = high risk (Red).
In a generic sense, all trees have the potential to cause damage to differing degrees. A risk assessment exercise such as this survey is undertaken for each situation, considering the type and likelihood of damage. There is, therefore, no such thing as a perfectly safe tree, and there is always a residual risk even in a tree with no defects. The purpose of this survey is to evaluate the hazard that any defects present, and the risk of damage to people or property if a tree or part of it fails, and to take appropriate action to reduce the risk to an acceptable level. Health and safety legislation recognises that it is unfeasible and in many cases unrealistic to eliminate risk entirely.
Green - Trees displaying no evident major defects and are therefore assumed safe at the time of inspection. Recommendations for work are based on abating nuisance or obstruction issues. Furthermore to promote good form and eliminate so far as possible any future risk. Green works should be undertaken with in 18-36 months.
Amber - Trees displaying a defect which has the potential to fail. Although at the time of inspection not deemed significant enough to warrant urgent attention. Amber works should be undertaken with in 6-18 months.
Red - Trees displaying significant defects and posing an immediate risk to health and safety. Red works should be undertaken within 6 months. Recommendations will be made for remedial health and safety works to preserve trees or make safe where practicable.
General Observations
The trees within the verges of The Avenue are primarily remnants from an orchard that pre-dates the development. Species diversity is limited and consists principally of Apple with isolated ornamental Cherries. The Apples are veteran trees and of immense importance to the local amenity (Plate1).
Plate 1
Decay is evident throughout the Apple trees however this is to be expected with specimens of this age and the decay adds significantly to their character.
Naturally the presence of decay renders the trees more susceptible to structural failure however this can be managed via canopy reduction. The decay in tree number 2274 is too extensive for the tree to be retained (Plate 2).
Plate 2
Furthermore a canopy reduction will serve to lessen the volume of fruit dropped by the trees which creates a significant slip/trip hazard for pedestrians.
Conclusions and recommendations
The trees in The Avenue are a valuable local resource. With planned maintenance and regular routine pruning the trees can be retained for future generations to enjoy.
Location map
