Tree inspection process
Pages in Tree inspection process
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Guiding principles and legal obligations
- 3. Duty of care
- 4. Hazard and risk
- 5. Tree inspections
- 6. Identification of hazards and intervention/response times
- 7. Assessment of risk
- 8. Frequency and method of inspection
- 9. Competent persons and keeping records
- 10. Fallen timber and stumps
- 11. Storms and aftermath inspections
- 12. Map of Reigate & Banstead Borough Council managed land
- 13. You are here: Requests from residents for non-safety tree related works
- 14. Notifications regarding works to borough owned trees
- 15. Tree felling and planting
- 16. Appendices
13. Requests from residents for non-safety tree related works
Requests from residents for non-safety related tree works will be directed to the our trees webpage for further information and will only be investigated when part of the cycle of inspection.
Non-safety related enquiries may not receive a response due to the high number of such requests.
Non safety related tree works could be deemed as follows:
Table 3 Tree-related customer queries and our responses
| Customer query | Our response |
|---|---|
| Anti- social behaviour / criminal activity
(Antisocial behaviour is actions that are likely to have a detrimental effect on the tree, such as physical damage) |
A site inspection will be carried out within 28 days of receipt and the enquirer will be informed of the inspection findings and what action is considered appropriate by the inspecting officer. |
| Bird droppings | A site inspection will not be carried out in this instance. |
|
Common law right (overhanging limbs) |
A site inspection will not be carried out immediately in this instance, but noted for the next inspection cycle where the inspecting arborist will assess what appropriate works are required, under British Standard 9837. |
| Dangerous tree requiring immediate action | Our in-house team or a contractor will be instructed to attend site within the contractual timescale of receiving instruction and start the process of making the tree safe (whether the tree safety works are outsourced depends on the operations required to ensure the safety of the tree(s).). In severe weather conditions with a number of trees to deal with or if conditions are operationally dangerous then minimal works will be carried out to make the tree(s) safe. Further works may be required at a later date to tidy the site or conclude the matter by removing the tree if the deemed necessary by the inspecting officer. |
| Ivy | A site inspection will not be carried out in this instance. Should the arboricultural inspector deem that the amount of ivy within a crown of a tree located next to a high value target such as a children’s play area or it impedes an arboricultural inspection, then steps may be taken to reduce or remove the ivy as appropriate when assessed during the normal inspection regime. |
| Leaves, blossom and small tree debris | Site inspection not required |
| Light | A site inspection will not be carried out in this instance |
| Tree perceived as being too big, too tall or unmanaged | A site inspection will not be carried out in this instance |
| Tree related subsidence to property |
Concerns relating to alleged subsidence will be acknowledged within 14 days of receipt. Enquirers will be advised to contact their insurance company to agree an appropriate course of action with them. In addition, the enquirer will be advised to contact us again should they or their insurer wish to formally notify us of their concerns about future damage. We will then forward the details to Sutton Insurers (Reigate & Banstead Borough Council Insurance providers) to manage the claim on our behalf. Please note that that the onus of proof lies with the claimant. |
| Telephone Wires and tree limbs | A site inspection will not be carried out in this instance for requested works. |
| TV / Satellite reception and trees | A site inspection will not be carried out in this instance. |
| Vandalism to trees | A site inspection will be undertaken. Enquirer will be informed of what action is considered appropriate and estimated timescales. |
| Views obstructed by trees / Protection of privacy | A site inspection will not be carried out in this instance. If a tree is removed for whatever reason we are not obliged to replace it in order to maintain privacy to neighbouring properties. |