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BS5837:2012 now released

user@domain.com — 2012-04-11T12:48:14+01:00

The latest version of BS5837:2012 - Trees in relation to design, demolition and construction has now been released by the British Standards Institute. This replaces the previous standard, BS5837:2005 - Trees in relation to construction.
A consultation on this new document was undertaken in 2011 and so its launch has been long anticipated. The full details of the new standard are not yet known as BSI has acknowledged a problem on its website for downloading copies of the new standards. It is reported that this issue will be resolved within 24 hours and that the standard will be available from Thursday 12 April.
Once we have had the opportunity to see the new standard, we will be provide summary guidance as to the changes that have been included.
It will be available to download from the BSI website at http://shop.bsigroup.com/

Interim report by the Independent Panel on Forestry

user@domain.com — 2011-12-09T12:35:35+00:00

At the start of this year the government proposed a sell off of those parts of forests in England that were publicly owned. The ensuing outpouring of dissent to this proposal saw the creation of an independent panel of experts to review the proposals and report back to the government.

The report is not due until 2012, but the panel has elected to publish a progress report on how its review is going. This report can be download from the DEFRA website (click here).

One of the most outstanding elements of the report how the panel has come to the conclusion that it should not only look at the future of the public estate, but also at the future of ALL woodlands and forestry in England, both privately and publicly owned. The panel has identified a “triple bottom line” made up of the environment, people and economy and considers that this element cannot be properly considered without looking at a much broader picture than originally envisaged.

The report is broken into 2 sections - the first discussed the “triple bottom line” and explains why trees and woods are good for people, good for nature and good for the green economy. A major source of this section is the recently published UK National Ecosystem Assessment (discussed in our August newsletter).

The second section provides some initial thoughts on what the effect of the triple bottom line might be on future policies and organisations within the forestry industry. This includes the early suggestion that forest policy should be decouple from the political lifecycle and instead implemented over a tree life cycle.

Common Sense Risk Managment

user@domain.com — 2011-12-08T13:51:02+00:00

The National Tree Safety Group has now released its long awaited guidance on managing tree related risk.
The report is divided into three sections:
1 - An introductory leaflet for tree owners (click here)
2 - A summary of the guidelines for landowners (click here)
3 - The full guidance document (click here)

Research Project into no-dig method of construction

user@domain.com — 2011-12-01T14:34:05+00:00

We are involved in a research project assessing whether a particular method of protecting tree roots from potential compaction has any long-term adverse effects on tree health. We are asking for help from any interested parties to help identify suitable sites for inclusion in the project.
Compaction of soil in and around the rooting area of a tree creates a hostile environment for root development.

Soil compaction occurs easily and quickly. There are several products available in the market that are laid onto surface of the ground, and which are designed to spread the load of a vehicle passing over it.
The project that we are involved in is looking into whether there are any long term affects on tree health as a result of these load spreading systems. In order to assess whether there is an impact, we need to visit sites that have utilised these products in the past.
We are looking for sites that had construction activity completed three or more years ago, and which employed a no-dig method of construction to create a load-bearing surface for site traffic. That surface needs to still be in place and the trees being protected need to still be there. If you think that you have worked on or know of any sites that may be useful for this project, we would be pleased to hear from you.

IML Resi-PD400 Microdrill

user@domain.com — 2011-09-16T15:07:08+01:00

We are now able to offer a new service in decay detection in trees. Our latest tool, the IML Resi-PD microdrill consists of a long, thin drill bit that is used to measure resistance to drilling. It does this by measuring the resistance to the torque (twisting action) of the drill bit as it passes through the wood. The harder the wood, the greater the resistance, and thus the greater the “quality” of the wood that is being drilled into. Decay tends to soften wood and therefore the resistance to the drill bit is reduced. Clearly, cavities will offer no resistance at all. These microdrills are suitable for testing any type of timber ie trees, poles, beams etc.

See http://www.sorbus-intl.co.uk/product/4332-201/IML-Resi-PD-series for more information or contact us

Environmentally friendly stump removal

user@domain.com — 2011-06-14T17:19:19+01:00

A new environmentally friendly stump removal method has just been brought onto the market. Sold by BTS Group in the UK and developed in Sweden by Ecoplug Sweden AB, the Ecoplug is an environmentally friendly, safe and cost effective means of killing tree stumps after a tree has been felled.

The system works by drilling holes around the outside edge of the face of the stump and then inserting the plugs into the holes. The plugs contain an active ingredient of glyphosate (the main ingredient of Roundup). Once the plug is activated, the glyphosate goes straight into the root system of the tree, thus preventing sprouting of new growth, and speeding up the process of the root breakdown.

More details can be found can be found on the Ecoplug website.

New research paper on treatment of Honey Fungus

user@domain.com — 2011-05-04T11:32:55+01:00

A new research paper has recently been published in the Arboricultural Journal exploring potential methods of control for Honey Fungus (Armillaria sp). The research, carried out by Dr Percival and colleagues at Bartlett Tree Research Laboratories at Reading University, looked into the effects of treating infected trees either with a biological control in the shape of Trichoderma fungi, or with an air-spade.

The conclusion of the research was that a combination of both approaches would appear to provide the best means of preventing infection. However, it also recognises that the research was carried out under controlled laboratory conditions and that the application in the wider, more natural environment may not be so effective. The concluding comment of the article states “..our results indicate that air-spading followed by inoculation with Trianum [Trichoderma] appears to offer promise as a joint cultural/bio-control strategy for the management of A. mellea.”

A full copy of the research paper can be found on Bartletts website. Click here for a quick link.

Phytopthora ramorum spreads to European larch

user@domain.com — 2011-03-31T16:49:45+01:00

For the last 24 months, the spread of Phytophthora ramorum disease through the Japanese larch (Larix kaempferi) population in south-west England and parts of Wales has been well documented, as has the attempts by the Forestry Commission to control the spread of this fatal disease.

However, scientists at the Forest Research agency have now confirmed that the disease has been detected in a European larch (Larix decidua), the only deciduous conifer native to Europe. The outbreak has been confirmed in a woodland in Cornwall, in an area that had been populated with infected Japanese larch.

The Forestry Commission has stated that it is not surprised that the infection has crossed to the European larch give the similarities between the two species. It cautions that at this stage too little is known about the susceptibility of the European larch to the disease to be able to fully assess the impact of this development.

Full details on this latest development and other information relating to this disease can be found on the Forest Research website (http://www.forestry.gov.uk/pramorum).

Oak Processionary Moth

user@domain.com — 2011-03-29T11:05:58+01:00

The Oak Processionary Moth (Thaumetopoea processionea) is an insect that eats the leaves and defoliates oak trees (English, Sessile and Turkey oak). It is deemed to be a major pest in the UK. Although discovered regularly in parts of London, it is less commonly known or found outside of the city. However, the greatest danger of the OPM is not to trees, but to human health. The larvae of OPM are covered with fine hairs that contain a toxin. Upon contact with skin or if inhaled, these hairs can cause an allergic reaction, irritation, difficulties with breathing, sore eyes and/or a sore throat. So serious is this threat, that the presence of the moth or larvae on a tree requires the Forestry Commission to serve a statutory notice on the owner of the tree, under Article 31 (4) of the Plant Heath (Forestry) Order 2005 demanding them to make arrangements for the eradication of the insect from the tree/s.
The most prevalent locations of this insect in the UK are within 5 London boroughs (Ealing, Brent, Hounslow, Richmond and Hammersmith & Fulham). Various bodies such as Kew Botanical Gardens and the arboricultural team at Syon Park have been fighting to eradicate this infection since it was first noted in the UK in 2006. Scientific advice has now been given that attempts to eradicate this pest from within these five boroughs cannot succeed, and in acknowledgement of this fact, these areas have been designated as Core Zones within which Statutory Notices will not be served, with the idea of using these as containment areas. A buffer zone of 6 miles surrounding this core zone will be established, and Statutory Notices will be served on tree owners within this zone, in order to attempt to prevent the spread of the insect. Outside of London and the core zone, the Statutory Notice requirement will also still be in place.
The life cycle of this insect is for eggs to be laid on small twigs and branches between July and September. The eggs then hatch from April as larvae that can be found in the tree, eating the leaves, from April to June. The larvae pupate from late June into July and emerge in July as moths that fly at night, attracted to light, until September.
Newly hatched larvae are identifiable by a uniformly brown body and black head that lightens with maturity, becoming a grey body and black head. Long white hairs extend out from the body, with smaller less visible hairs closer to the body. It is these small hairs that contain the toxin, and they can break off and disperse in the air, leading to potential respiratory problems in the locality. The larvae feed in groups, and congregate in communal nest made of white silk, normally located under a branch or on the trunk. When moving from the nest to a feeding point, the larvae move in a long “processionary” trail, often hard to see due to its colour.
Handling the larvae or a nest must only be carried out by trained professionals wearing the necessary protective equipment. There are several control methods including chemical and biological insecticides but the timing of the application is crucial, and again, should only be carried out by a professional. More information on this pest can be found at the Forestry Research website (http://www.forestresearch.gov.uk/fr/INFD-6URJCF)

Renewable Heat Incentive launched

user@domain.com — 2011-03-15T10:46:48+00:00

The Renewable Heat Incentive has been launched with subsidies being paid for the installation of heat sources that rely on renewable energy rather than fossil fuels. The scheme is initially aimed at the non-domestic market and will target large-scale industrial heating, small business and community heating projects on the grounds that these are the large emitters of pollution.

However, the domestic market is not being totally ignored, and a Renewable Heat Premium Payment (RHPP) will be available to households that install renewable heating systems. Details of this aspect of the scheme have not been released, but the government has said that it will launch the RHPP in July 2011. It is expected that a subsidy will be paid towards the cost of installation of the heating system and in return, the householder will be required to provide feedback on how the equipment works. The aim is to boost confidence in the technology, and to create a better understanding of how it works in order to maximise its performance. Some indicative levels of payments under the RHPP scheme have been provided as follows:

Heat Technology	Payment per installation
Air source heat pumps	£850
Biomass boilers	£950
Ground source heat pumps	£1,250
Solar water heating	£300

Source: http://www.rhincentive.co.uk/RHI/regulation/premium/

In the longer-term, more support will be offered to the domestic market in 2012 with the launch of a Green Deal for Homes. This will be a long-term tariff (over 20 years) that is paid to existing (post July 2009) and new domestic consumers of renewable heat sources.

For the non-domestic sector, the scheme starts in July 2011. It is designed to cover a wide range of technologies from biomass to ground and water-source heat pumps, solar thermal, geothermal, and energy derived from waste that can enable the injection of biomethane into the gas grid.

It is aimed at the entire non-domestic sector in England, Scotland and Wales, including business, hospitals, schools, and community projects, with the payment being made directly to the owner of the heat producing system and not to third party agents. As with the eventual domestic tariff, the scheme is expected to last 20 years.

Full details of the scheme can be found at www.RHIncentive.co.uk/library/regulation/1103_RHI.pdf and more summary details are available on the Renewable Heat Incentive website at www.RHIncentive.co.uk

Forestry Sell Off cancelled

user@domain.com — 2011-02-17T17:42:40+00:00

Three weeks after the announcement of a public consultation on the future of England’s public forests, DEFRA has announced that the process has been withdrawn and the proposal to sell off the Forestry Commission Estate has been halted. The reason cited for the change in policy is the negative public response to the suggestion that the forests would be sold. The government has said that it will look at new ways to ensure that biodiversity and public access are protected. In order to do this, it is setting up an independent panel that will report to the Secretary of State for the Environment, and provide recommendations on the future of forestry and woodland policy in England, the future role of the Forestry Commission and the role of the Public Forest Estate. Membership of the review panel has not yet been announced, but DEFRA have said that it will be made up of representatives of key environmental and access organisations as well as representatives of the forestry industry. The terms of reference for the panel have also yet to be announced.

There is an air of uncertainty hanging over the future of woodland policy in the UK at present, and there is a real danger of muddled solutions being proposed. It must be remembered that in October 2010, a consultation on reformation of the TPO system was carried out. This finished in December and we are waiting for the outcome of that. Then there was the announcement to see 40,000 hectares of woodland over the next four years. This was postponed at the beginning of this week due to a lack of perceived protection for the woodlands being sold, in spite of the fact that the same type of woodland has been sold over the past decade without anyone raising objections. Now the proposed sale of forestry land has been cancelled due to public pressure – the same public pressure that is unable to halt other policies being pushed through. Emotive pressure rather than logical argument is being brought to bear on this process, and the end result may not provide the best solution for forestry and woodlands, and the ecosystems that inhabit these environments.

We shall wait with interest to see what organisations and individuals are appointed to the review panel, and hope that industry representatives such as the Arboricultural Association will take the opportunity to be the voice for those of us who provide professional guidance on the care and management of trees, and not allow the process to be hijacked by self interested 3rd parties who have no working knowledge of the practicalities of tree and woodland management.

Forest Sell Off plans postponed

user@domain.com — 2011-02-14T09:15:19+00:00

Since the announcement of the public consultation regarding the proposed sell off of Forestry Commission woodlands, there has been a large quantity of newsprint devoted to this issue. In our last newsletter, we pointed out that there appeared to be a discrepancy between the level of protection offered to those tracts of woodland that are being considered as part of the public consultation, and those areas of woodland that the government had already announced as being available for sale, that were outside the consultation process. On Friday 11 February, DEFRA announced that it was postponing the sale of the 40,0000 hectares in order to ensure that the necessary level of protection was put in place for biodiversity and public access. It was confirmed that the sale will still go ahead, but not until these matters have been addressed. This postponement has no bearing on the ongoing consultation for the remaining Forestry Commission land.

More details can be seen at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-12428814

BS3998:2010 - A revised trees works standard

user@domain.com — 2011-02-02T12:56:48+00:00

At the end of December, the revised version of BS3998 Tree Works - Recommendations, was released. This is the third edition of the standard and replaces the previous version, BS3998:1989. The original was published in 1966, and given the advances in our understanding of tree biology and physiology, it is important that the standard to which tree work is carried out reflects the most up-to-date information that we have. The standard provides general recommendations for tree works, from simple pruning to the management of trees that are suffering from decay or other weaknesses. It does not provide any guidance on tree inspections or risk assessments in relation to trees, and there is currently no standard that does give any such guidance.

BS3998:2010 has seen several changes from the previous version. This includes changes regarding the safety of people and property, the decision-making criteria for tree works, managing wildlife and habitats and managing veteran trees. It also takes into account more subtle issues such as tree longevity, value for local amenity, landscape, biodiversity and heritage. These changes have transformed the document from a thin 20 pages to a hefty 76 pages. The level of detail it encompasses is much more comprehensive. An example of this is the difference in the glossary of terms provided by the two documents. The 1989 standard provided definitions for 8 phrases used throughout the document, whereas the 2010 version provides 35. Another example of where greater detail has been provided is in the management of unstable trees. The 1989 version dedicated 4 lines to the issue of propping trees, whereas the 2010 version has a detailed analysis covering 2 pages. This makes the document more accessible to a much wider audience, although priced at £172 per copy, it is unlikely that many others than industry practitioners will obtain a copy.

It is important to note that while a British Standard is not a legally enforceable document, it is a set of guidelines that has been compiled by industry specialists and therefore attempts to provide advice on best practice. All tree work contracts should stipulate that they will be carried out in accordance with the recommendations of BS3998:2010 to ensure that trees are being managed in a suitable manner.

Proposed Forest Sell Off

user@domain.com — 2011-02-01T16:51:53+00:00

After much anticipation and coverage in the national media, DEFRA have finally announced the opening of the public consultation regarding the future of woodlands and forests in England. The consultation document, The Future of the Public Forest Estate in England, is available at the DEFRA website, (http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/forests/20110127-forestry-consult-doc.pdf) where full details of how to respond can be found. The consultation is open for comment until 21 April 2011.

The document highlights four key principles that it will seek to safeguard in the event of any sale:

to protect and enhance biodiversity;
to maintain public access for leisure and recreation;
to ensure that woodlands continue to play a role in climate change mitigation and

to protect nationally important landscapes.

However, it recognises that it is not possible to find a single solution that will enable all four principles to be protected and therefore it proposes that a mixed approach be adopted to provide the necessary protection. This approach will involve many different organisations, groups, charities, businesses and individuals coming together to provide the best solution. These groupings have been broken down into three sectors:

using new or existing charities to manage heritage woodlands (eg New Forest);
allowing civic or community groups to buy or lease woodlands they wish to own or manage;
allow commercial operators to manage forests that are commercially viable, but on long term leases rather than selling the land. This option will enable the Forestry Commission to protect the public interest through lease terms, which would be lost in any sale, as well as generating revenue for the government.

Any land that is not sold or leased under these options will be retained as part of a legacy estate.

On the face of it, the consultation document appears to answer many questions and address many of the concerns that are being raised in the public arena. However, closer examination of the document raises some questions to which there are no obvious answers. It also subtly highlights some changes that will take place, outside of the consultation process. An example of this is the proposal, already announced, to sell 40,000 hectares of forestry land in the years 2011-2015. This equates to 10,000 hectares per year, against an average sale rate of 900 hectare per year during the period 2005-2010. Furthermore, the document points out that it expects that the bulk of this sale is to come from woodland that has been identified as small commercially valuable woodlands or forests. This sector makes up 20-25% of the existing Forestry estate (currently at 258,000 hectares) and therefore selling 40,000 hectares of this land will remove nearly 20% of the forest estate from the consultation process. There does not appear to be any scope within the document to show how the protection measures that are being consulted upon in this review, will be implemented for the land excluded from the consultation.

Another question that arises is how exactly the proposals will protect the amenity aspect of some woodlands? The document refers to the desire to ensure public access and benefit, but without giving much detail on how this can be achieved. It is more specific on how to limit damage from over felling, development or disease, but it appears to rely on the CRoW Act to provide the protection to public access. This may not actually be beneficial and may allow new “owners” to restrict access.

The final section of the document discusses the future of the Forestry Commission itself. While concerns have been raised in some quarters as to the wisdom of reducing the role of this quango, arguably its most important function, outside of the management of forestry, is in its administrative abilities and its function as a centrally funded research organisation to combat plant disease. Both of these functions appear to be protected under the proposals in the document.