astley lane bs5837 tree survey...

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BS5837 TREE SURVEY REPORT

ASTLEY LANE

ARBURY ESTATE

For: Arbury Estate

February 2015

Reference: FOR/20/1001

BS5837 Tree Survey Report

Astley Lane, Arbury Estate

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CONTENTS

1. Introduction and terms of reference .................................................................................... 4

2. Site description ................................................................................................................. 5

3. Statutory controls ............................................................................................................. 5

4. Survey and assessment methodology .................................................................................. 6

5. Recommendations ............................................................................................................. 7



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APPENDICES

i. Tree Survey Schedule FOR/20/1001/TSS

ii. Tree Constraints Plan FOR/20/1001/TCP



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1. Introduction and terms of reference

1.1 The Woodland and Arboricultural Department of Smiths Gore were instructed to prepare an

BS5837 Tree Survey Report in accordance with the guidance set out in BS5837 (2012) ‘Trees

in Relation to Design, Demolition and Construction, Recommendations’ for an outline planning

application for the site to the north of Astley Lane, Bedworth.

1.2 The specific brief for the project is as follows:

• Carry out a survey of all trees on the subject site in accordance with the guidance set out

in BS5837 (2012).

• Produce a Tree Constraints Plan detailing trees in the context of the current land use and

detailing canopy spreads and stem positions and below ground constraints (Root

Protection Areas BS5837 2012).

• Produce a Tree Survey Schedule providing details of surveyed trees.

1.3 Local Planning Authorities have a statutory duty to consider trees as part of the planning

process in the context of any proposed development. The statutory protection of trees can be

a material consideration when assessing and determining proposed development. The level of

information requested may vary depending on the requirements of the Local Planning

Authority, the level of tree cover across the site and the stage of the proposed development

process.

1.4 British Standard BS5837 (2012) ‘Trees in Relation to Design, Demolition and Construction,

Recommendations’ provides guidance and recommendations on most aspects of trees in the

context of the development process. The standard provides guidance on the procedure to

assess trees in relation to proposed development, their relative suitability for retention and

measures for protection. This assessment and report broadly follows the guidance and

recommendations set out in BS5837 (2012) to provide a balanced assessment of tree cover

on the subject site.

1.5 The survey, assessment and report are only designed to inform the current project. No

specific assessment of tree health or stability was carried out in the context of tree risk

management and the associated risk to persons or property. However obvious issues of

health or instability are recorded where considered appropriate. It is recommended that an

appropriate safety assessment of trees on the site is carried out on a regular basis to provide

a reasonable approach to tree risk management.



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1.6 The survey was carried out from ground level using visual assessment and non-invasive

techniques, therefore the report and author cannot be held responsible for any issues

associated with hidden tree attributes or defects.

1.7 An assessment of the influence of trees on ground conditions beneath existing or proposed

structures is not considered as part of this report. Further assessment by a suitably qualified

arboriculturist and/or structural engineer should be sought if further information is required in

this regard.

2. Site description

2.1 The subject site comprises an area of land to the north of Astley Lane, Bedworth which

comprises mainly agricultural land with a number of residential properties to the south east

part of the site. The site is bounded by Astley Lane to the south, a wider area of woodland to

the north and residential properties to the south east.

2.2 Tree cover across the site comprises a range of mainly semi-mature to mature broadleaved

tree species, with a large wider area of woodland to the north. The majority of tree cover is

located close to the boundaries of the site and provides good mid to high level screening and

buffering from adjacent land use.

2.3 Further details of trees assessed are available in the Tree Survey Schedule at Appendix 1 and

their locations are detailed on the Tree Constraints Plan at Appendix 2.

3. Statutory controls

3.1 The Town and Country Planning Act (1990) provides measures for the protection for trees in

the form of Tree Preservation Order (TPO) or Conservation Area controls. The Act requires an

application to be submitted for approval to carry out works to trees covered by a Tree

Preservation Order, or six weeks notice to be given to the Local Planning Authority of intent

to carry out works to trees within a Conservation Area and not covered by a TPO, subject to

certain exemptions.

3.2 No enquiries have currently been made to the Local Planning Authority to determine the

status of the surveyed trees in the context of Tree Preservation Order or Conservation Area

controls. Clarification of such should be undertaken prior to any work affecting trees either

directly or as a result of any proposed development of the site.

3.3 The Forestry Act (1990) requires a licence for the felling of timber exceeding five cubic

metres per calendar quarter subject to certain conditions and exemptions. Any tree felling

immediately required for the purposes of carrying out development authorised by planning



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permission granted under the Town and County Planning Act (1990) does not require a felling

licence under the Forestry Act (1990).

3.4 The Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981 as amended), the Conservation (Natural Habitats,

&c.) and the Countryside and Rights of Way Act (2000) provide statutory protection for

various species of flora and fauna. Any arboricultural work should be carried out giving due

consideration to these statutory controls and the species and habitats afforded protection

thus.

4. Survey and assessment methodology

4.1 The Project Landscape Architect supplied the following documents which have been used to

inform the report and assessment of trees, which are considered to be accurate for the

purpose of this report:

• Topographic Survey drawing 19958

4.2 The locations of a number of individual tree stems and site features were detailed on the

topographical drawing supplied, with the outline of tree canopies detailed where such

individual detail was not provided. The topographical survey is the basis for the appended

Tree Constraints Plan.

4.3 A tree survey was carried out in order to record information on tree cover on and adjacent to

the site. The survey identified and recorded information for all trees on site above 75mm in

diameter where considered significant. Measurements were carried out using a hand

measurement tape and heights recorded using a clinometer.

4.4 The tree survey and assessment was carried out broadly in accordance with the guidance and

recommendations set out in BS5837 (2012). Trees were recorded either individually, as

groups of trees, or as woodland. Surveyed trees, group of trees or woodland were allocated a

sequential reference number with identifying prefix, and specific attributes and descriptions

recorded as detailed in the appended Tree Survey Schedule. The attributes recorded are as

follows:

• Tree reference (Prefix: Tree ‘T’, Group ‘G’, Woodland ‘W’, Hedge ‘H’, Shrubs ‘S’)

• Species

• Age (young, semi-mature, early mature, mature, over mature)

• Vitality (physiological condition of the tree: dead, moribund, poor, moderate, good)

• Height (height of the tree in metres)

• Crown spread (maximum crown spread or the tree in metres)



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• Stem diameter (stem diameter of the tree measured at 1.5 metres above ground level in

millimetres)

• Observations

• Management recommendation

• Category grading (A, B, C or U category grading in accordance with BS5837 2012)

• Root Protection Area (RPA) (BS5837: 2012)

4.5 Trees were categorised as A, B, C or U grade using the guidance set out in BS5837 (2012)

and as summarised in the Cascade Chart for Tree Quality Assessment (Table 1) of the

guidance. The purpose of assigning categories is to provide an assessment of the relative

quality and value of tree cover. A general description of trees which fall into each category is

detailed below.

• Category A – Trees of high quality with an estimated remaining life expectance of at least

40 years.

• Category B – Trees of moderate quality with a remaining life expectancy of at least 20

years.

• Category C – Trees of low quality with an estimated remaining life expectancy of at least

10 years, or young trees with a stem diameter of below 150mm.

• Category U – Trees in a condition that they cannot be reasonably retained in the context

of the land use for longer than 10 years.

4.6 A Root Protection Area (RPA) was calculated for each individual tree, including where possible

those falling within groups of trees, areas of trees or woodland, where considered significant

in the context of the current project. This RPA is calculated in accordance with guidance set

out in BS5837 (2012) to provide a guide to the assumed rooting zone of the tree which

should be appropriately protected if the tree is to be retained. Root Protection Areas are

detailed in the appended Tree Survey Schedule and set out on the Tree Constraints Plan.

4.7 The recording of hedges and shrubs is only carried out where considered significant in the

context of the function these features provide. If larger hedges or hedgerows are

encountered, these are generally recorded as group features and descriptive text provided to

highlight the nature of these features.

5. Recommendations

5.1 The Tree Constraints Plan and Tree Survey Schedule provided with this report should be used

to inform the current project and should provide guidance to the design and planning team as

the project progresses. Where more detail is required, further details of the siting and more



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precise locations of structures, access and hard and soft landscaping will be required, in

addition to details of any proposed ground works across the site.

5.2 No arboricultural operations including tree felling and pruning shall commence until necessary

consents have been obtained for the proposed work in the context of Tree Preservation

Order, Conservation Area, Felling Licence controls or as part of a detailed Planning Approval.

5.3 All proposed tree removal and pruning operations shall be carried out in accordance with the

Tree Survey Schedule appended to this report. All works shall be carried out to the standard

set out in BS3998 (2010) ‘Recommendations for Tree Work’.

5.4 All arboricultural operations shall be carried out in accordance with current best practice

guidance as set out in BS3998. All operatives carrying out Arboricultural operations shall be

suitably qualified, work in accordance with current Health and Safety Best Practice Guidance

and carry appropriate insurance for the operations proposed.

5.5 The potential influence of trees on loadbearing soils beneath existing or proposed structures

was not carried out as part of the assessment and report. Further investigation by a suitably

qualified Arboriculturist and/or Structural Engineer should be carried out if further detail is

required in this regard.

5.6 The tree survey and report has been carried out in sufficient detail to address the

requirements of the current project. No specific assessment of safety associated with the

surveyed trees was carried out in the context of tree risk management. However obvious

safety issues associated with the surveyed trees would be identified and included in this

report and recommendations set out in the Tree Survey Schedule if identified.

5.7 This report and associated documents should not be circulated or copied without the explicit

consent of the copyright holder.



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APPENDIX I

BS5837 Tree Survey Schedule FOR/20/1001/TSS

Astley Lane, Arbury Estate February 2015

Ref. Species Age Vitality Height Spread DBH Comments Management recommendation BS5837 Category Grading

RPA (m)

Page 1 of 3

T1 Common oak (Quercus robur)

M M 17 20 1200 Mature oak with significant amenity value located to the edge of a residential garden. Appears to have been heavily topped many years ago. Moderate deadwood throughout the crown.

A 14.4

T2 Common oak SM M 8 7 250 Located close to the party boundary. Slight suppressed on north side by adjacent oak tree.

B 3.0

T3 Common oak EM P 10 9 500 Exhibit significantly reduced vitality with dieback and deadwood throughout the crown to approximately 30% of the crown area.

Remove deadwood and reduce crown to balance where required. Closely monitor for signs of further deterioration.

B 6.0

T4 Common oak EM M 15 14 550 Early mature oak located close to the site boundary. Branches on the eastern side extend close to and have been previously been pruned back from an adjacent residential property. Low ground clearance over subject site down to 2 metres which could be raised to a height of 5-6metres. Damaged low branch on the southern side with associated decay.

B 6.6

T5 Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus)

SM G 9 8 300 Twin-stemmed semi-mature tree located close to the site boundary. Ivy colonising stem and lower crown.

C 3.6

T6 Goat willow (Salix caprea)

SM G 6 6 250 (MS)

Located adjacent to a wooden garden outbuilding. C 2.5

T7 Sycamore SM G 10 8 350 Sever and remove ivy to a height of 2 metres. Ivy colonising lower stem.

B 4.2

T8 Common oak EM M 12 15 650 Located within a hedgerow adjacent to the public highway. Heavily colonised by ivy.

Sever and remove ivy to a height of 2 metres A 7.8

T9 Common ash (Fraxinus excelsior)

M M 14 12 600 Located within a hedgerow adjacent to the public highway. Moderate stem lean to the north. Dieback of the upper crown. Exhibit reduced vitality. Stem colonised by ivy.

Remove dead portion of upper crown. Sever and remove ivy to a height of 2 metres. Closely monitor for signs of further deterioration.

C 7.2

T10 Sycamore EM M 10 12 600 Located within a hedgerow adjacent to the public highway. Moderately suppressed by adjacent tree with associated limited height.

B 7.2

T11 Common oak EM D 13 8 600 Dead oak tree located on edge of agricultural land. Fell U 7.2

T12 Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna)

EM M 8 10 450 (MS)

Hawthorn located close to site boundary. B 4.5




RPA (m)

Page 2 of 3

T13 Common ash SM G 11 10 300 Semi-mature ash tree located adjacent to a footpath. B 3.6

G1 Lawson’s cypress (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana)

EM M ≤18 ≤6 ≤500 Linear group of three cypress trees located to the highway boundary. Several included unions of co-dominant stems and branches. Stumps of trees previously removed from group remain in situ.

Monitor included unions. Consider removal and replacement.

C ≤6.0

G2 Holly (Ilex aquifolium), Common ash, Hawthorn, Common oak,

Y-SM M ≤8 ≤6 ≤150 Closely spaced area of young to semi-mature tree cover close to the site boundary. Restricted access to group for assessment.

B ≤1.8

G3 Holly, Hawthorn Y-SM M ≤5 ≤5 ≤100 Closely spaced group of ornamental trees located adjacent to the driveway entrance.

C ≤1.2

G4 Common oak. Alder, Hawthorn, Common ash, Goat willow, Silver birch, Field maple (Acer campestre)

Y G ≤7 ≤5 ≤100 Closely spaced group of broadleaved woodland planting. Closely spaced with low vegetation throughout with restricted access. Collective value as group with screening/buffer function.

B ≤1.2

G5 Poplar (Populus sp.) EM G ≤18 ≤14 ≤750 (MS)

Linear group of poplar trees located within a wider area of semi-mature woodland. Majority of trees are multi-stemmed with several acute included bark inions of co-dominant stems and branches.

Monitor included unions for signs of instability. B ≤7.5

G6 Common oak M M ≤19 ≤17 ≤700 Group of two closely spaced mature oak trees located adjacent to the public highway. Moderate deadwood typical of species and age. Located on the edge of a wider area of woodland.

A ≤8.4

G7 Common oak EM M ≤18 ≤15 ≤650 Group of oak trees located to the edge of agricultural land and adjacent to the public highway. Ivy colonising stems of two trees.

A ≤7.8

G8 Common oak EM M ≤19 ≤15 ≤650 Group of three oak trees located to the edge of agricultural land and adjacent to the public highway.

A ≤7.8

G9 Poplar (Populus sp.) M M-G ≤25 ≤12 ≤500 Linear group of mature poplar trees located to the edge of an area of agricultural land and interfacing with a wider area of woodland which extends away to the north. Third tree from eastern end has partially failed at the mid-stem with remaining section hung up.

Remove damaged tree with hung up stem. B ≤6.0




RPA (m)

Page 3 of 3

G10 Willow, hawthorn SM M-G ≤8 ≤9 ≤400 (MS)

Group of mainly goat willow with occasional hawthorn. Within an area of sunken and overgrown ground. Provides an element of screening between subject site and adjacent development.

B&C ≤4.0

G11 Hawthorn SM G ≤6 ≤6 ≤250 Closely spaced hawthorn trees. C ≤3.0

W1 Common oak, Common ash, Silver birch (Betula pendula), Common alder (Alnus glutinosa), Hawthorn, Sycamore, Willow, additional element of native broadleaved trees and shrubs

SM-EM

D-G ≤22 ≤15 ≤650 Wider area of mainly native and naturalised broadleaved woodland. Southern edge interfaces with the subject site and wider woodland extends away to the north. Occasional areas of open ground.

A ≤7.8

W2 Common alder, Silver birch, Willow, Common ash, Hawthorn, Oak

SM-EM

M-G ≤15 ≤10 ≤300 Wider area of mainly native and naturalised broadleaved woodland. Southern edge interfaces with the subject site and wider woodland extends away to the north.

B ≤3.6

W3 Sycamore, Common oak, Silver birch, Common beech (Fagus sylvatica), Hawthorn, Willow, Elm (Ulmus sp.)

SM M-G ≤15 ≤8 ≤400 (MS)

Linear group of semi-mature broadleaved woodland. Understorey of young trees and scrub throughout.

B ≤4.0

A1 Silver birch, Common ash, Willow, Hawthorn, Holly, Ornamental trees and shrubs

Y M-G ≤4 ≤3 ≤100 Wider area of young ornamental trees and shrubs located with the rear gardens of several residential properties. Of no particular merit in terms of their contribution to the wider landscape.

C ≤1.2

A2 Common oak, Hawthorn.

Y G ≤6 ≤4 ≤200 Loosely spaced group of young trees located throughout an area of overgrown ground with restricted access. Occasional oak trees have some merit if retained for medium to long-term. Positions of individual trees not identified on topographical survey drawing.

B&C ≤2.4

H1 Hawthorn, Elder, Holly - M ≤3 ≤2 ≤200 Linear hedge running along site boundary and fronting adjacent highway. Comprises largely of hawthorn with occasional additional native species. Maintained, with occasional limited sections unmanaged

- -



Page 10 smithsgore.co.uk

APPENDIX II

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KEY:

TREE CONSTRAINTS PLAN

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RETENTION CATEGORY A (BS5837)

RETENTION CATEGORY B (BS5837)

RETENTION CATEGORY C (BS5837)

SURVEYED TREE

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RETENTION CATEGORY U (BS5837)

W. www.smithsgore.co.uk

T. +44(0)1543 251221

F. +44(0)1543 251223

SMITHS GORE

FORESTRY AND ARBORICULTURE DEPARTMENT

DATE:

DRAWING NUMBER:

PROJECT:

CLIENT:

SCALE: 1:800 (A1)

FEB 2015

FOR/20/1001/TCP

BEDWORTH

ASTLEY LANE

ARBURY ESTATE

SURVEYED GROUP OF TREES

G1

ROOT PROTECTION AREAS (BS5837)

SURVEYED WOODLAND

W1

SURVEYED HEDGE

H1

SURVEYED AREA OF TREES

A1

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