subject: Tree Work - New British Standards for tree surgery [print this page] Tree Work - New British Standards for tree surgery
New British Standards for tree surgeryhave been published and come into effect on 31 December 2010. It was prepared by Technical Committee B/213, "Trees and tree work". The tree work standard does not cover the specific processes for tree surveying and inspecting trees; but starts at the point where the requirement for some kind of action has been identified and the work has not yet been specified. On this basis, it is assumed that a tree survey or tree inspection will normally have been conducted according to a clear brief, prepared in discussion with the client or employer, in order to take account of all relevant factors, including the safety of people and property.
The standard does however deal with reasons for carrying out tree work, potential consequences of tree work, categories of tree work: purposes and principles, scope, terms and definitions, tree work safety and planning, tree work specification, safety planning prior to carrying out tree work, avoiding transmission of pests and pathogens, avoiding damage from tree work operations,site management, scheduling tree works, risk control, season, weather and past damage, habitat and wildlife, phased tree work, management of the rooting environment,mulching, aeration/de-compaction, removal/replacement of soil,irrigation/drainage, nutrient deficiency and treepruning and related work.
All tree surgeons and tree contractors should make themselves familiar with the new standard and refer to it in any quotations given for tree work including tree surgery,formative tree pruning, crown lifting, crown thinning, pollarding, crown restoration,tree felling and stump grinding.
