.png)
The past few months have seen us exceptionally busy, not just caring for clients trees but liasing with local authorities and organizing permits. It's the unfortunate part of our job that takes up a lot of our time, but due to legislation is essential. This being the case I thought i'd write a blog to explain what we might ask you if you call us out.
Tree Work in Public Places
A good amount of what we are faced with when we go out to quote a job is that many trees have outgrown the clients garden and are overhanging public footpaths and roads. If this is the case then we will have to contact the planning and roads department of the local council to ask for permission before we carry out any works. This is to be expected as tree work can be dangerous and there can be unforeseen dangers whilst carrying out work, not just to tree surgeons but to the public who may be walking underneath. If the path alone needs to be cordoned off then we will apply for a "Section 8" , that allows us to block the pavement and redirect foot traffic elsewhere.
If dismantling or pruning a tree, there is a chance there could be a hazard to motorists and road users we will typically have to submit a "Section 58", which allows us to block a single lane temporarily with traffic lights. This will come with additional expense to our clients as depending on your local council a permit will have to be purchased, and a road traffic management company will need to be brought in.
If your tree fits into the above categories I'm afraid there's no short cuts, permission and permits to carry out tree work where there is a danger to the public is a legal requirement. DO NOT hire a company that tells you otherwise.
Work to Trees in a Conservation Area
We predominantly work around Glasgow and there are many conservation within areas including;
Hamilton
Maxwellton
Rosebank
Kylepark
Glassford
Douglas
Rutherglen
Uddingston
Bothwell
Just to name a few! In fact it'll probably be one of the first questions we ask you. If you are living within a conservation area then any work you do to a tree/s will need to be passed to the planning department. The planning department will check that the work being carried out doesn't change the "nature" of the area.
Any work that needs to be done to trees in a conservation area needs to be submitted 1 month prior to work commencing to allow other residents to lodge an objection. Once again, there's no short way to get round this, as the council can fine individuals and/or ask them to replace the tree/s. The good news is that we can submit the planned works to planning on your behalf.
TPO's and SSSI
Not as common as dealing with road closures or conservation areas are TPO's (Tree preservation Orders) and SSSI's (Sites of Specific Scientific Interest). Another "first question" we'll ask you if the tree is old enough, Is there a TPO on your tree? Similar to Conservation areas, work carried out on tree's with TPO's has to be submitted to local planning. Failure to do so can bring hefty fines, but just as importantly damage to an important tree.
SSSI's are put in place due to conservation legislation. The reason for a SSSI could be endangered or rare Flora, Fauna and geological features.
Nesting Birds and Bats
Under Section 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 it is illegal to knowingly kill injure or destroy a wild birds nest. For this reason we will do a check before and during working on your trees and hedges. If a nest is found during cutting it is our policy to stop work immediately and continue work after the chick have fledged. Special care is taken from spring, through to the end of September.
All bats in the UK are protected species, felling a tree or disrupting a bat colony carries harsh penalties and a fine of up to £20,000. As above we will do a ground level inspection of your tree from ground level, paying close attention to hollows prior to work being carried out. During tree work we will be continuously checking for bats. If a colony is found then we will stop work immediately.
So as you can see there's more to what we do than tree care! But if you're going to do a job, you may as well do it properly.
For a free no obligation quote, please contact us via phone or email.