Tree assessments to BS 5837:2012

West Coast are able to deliver creative, viable solutions to your tree-relateds issues. Solutions that are informed by understanding the hard regulatory requirements and soft interpretive expectations of the local planning authority. This is because we can see the potential of trees to be valuable additions, and not constraints, to a project.

We are strongly positioned to deliver these solutions due to our unique array of qualifications, technical knowledge and experience in-house. Over 20 years of experience working with high quality partners in prestigious and highly complex areas, have resulted in a holistic knowledge of the requirements to get a proposal accepted, discharge the conditions of planning and to handover an ecologically sympathetic and harmonious project.

Once development is underway, we offer contact administration for any enabling tree work, tree protection specifications and regular site inspections to ensure that retained trees do not suffer damage.

Seeing into the heart of a tree

Like humans not all symptoms of illness are visible. Rot and decay can occur behind the cover of bark. An arbotom can ‘see’ inside a tree using impulse tomography. This system analyses sound waves using an array of sensors and sound impulses to identify and locate areas of weakness and decay.

This is a quasi non-destructive operation that can save a seeming unhealthy tree from removal or, conversely, identify potential problems more insightfully than a visual tree inspection, leading to mitigation of the present risk.

Risk management for tree owners

Trees deliver a broad range of benefits to society; through enhanced wildlife interest, air quality enhancement, temperature attenuation and storm water absorption, to name a few. However, tree owners have a duty of care to ensure that their trees do not represent a hazard to the public.

We can provide a comprehensive tree monitoring package whereby all trees are assessed and mapped, and any tree work is broken up into annual phases for ease of budgeting. We then contact you prior to the end of the 3-year liability period of the assessment to arrange a re-inspection. We carry £2 million professional indemnity insurance.

A breath of fresh air for tree roots

Compacted soil can affect trees in adverse ways including reduction in crown vitality and limb loss. In addition, causing water logging in wet weather and drought conditions in dryer times. The lack of air space and poor soil structure can lead to poor root development which in turn can lead to structural failure or loss of supporting services resulting in entire tree failure.

The AirSpade removes the compacted soil from around the root structures, allowing air and water to flow once reconditioned soil, e.g. the addition of biochar or compost, has been reapplied. The process is quasi non-destructive and the effects occur almost immediately, depending on the time of year.

Creating habitat diversity in developments

Recent policy changes have meant planning rules are now looking to maximise ecological benefits within the built environment. Biodiversity Net Gain assessment in England, and Green Infrastructure Assessment in Wales, require new ways of thinking about trees and how to integrate them with development design. A discernible and measurable increase in biodiversity habitat needs to be part of the design offer.

Hence, a minimal number of trees, placed as an afterthought, will no longer be enough to satisfy these new requirements and receive planning permission. New approaches will need to be devised and we are ready to provide those solutions.