Technical
Does the tree crown contain deadwood, hanging and broken branches?
that persons not in his employment who may be affected are not, thereby, exposed to risks to their health and safety. Undertaking an annual inspection - both in and out of leaf - and following the advice given in the report can help your skilled maintenance teams to control the three D’s which would lead to the risks associated with fallen branches and canopy failure. This not only aids the duty of care of the land occupier and obligations to the occupier’s liability, but promotes sound ecological benefits and conservation efforts.
On golf courses in particular, tree maintenance should form an integral part of the course maintenance policy in order to further promote the playing characteristics and course character. Lantra offer a basic one day Tree Inspection Training Course which aims to provide you with the knowledge to be able to identify a hazardous tree, determine the level of risk and then decide on an appropriate course of action and, furthermore, a three-day course which aims to provide specific tree inspection training at an advanced level
for competent arboriculturists. The type of survey conducted is quite methodical and usually carried out visually from ground level, although the survey could necessitate the need for a more specialist climbing inspection and the use of high technology devices such as decay detection systems. As an example of a visual ground level inspection, you would note general observations (see table) of the tree reference number, species, size and age class, nature of defect (physiological and structural condition), level of risk (a hazardous tree only presents a risk if there is a ‘target’), whether action is required and the level of urgency. As a guide to the methodical process, you should follow a routine so that nothing is missed:
- Is the crown dense and full of leaves or perhaps showing obvious buds and twigs when dormant?
- Are the leaves large, green and undamaged from pest infestation?
An example of pest infestation would be leaf gall (see picture); the swelling of
“Lantra offer a basic one day Tree Inspection Training Course which aims to provide you with the knowledge to be able to identify a
hazardous tree
plant tissue caused by the infestation of a living organism, most often insects, mites, nematodes, bacteria, fungi or viruses. Galls can form on any part of a tree and come in many shapes, sizes, colours and textures. Galls that are caused by insects or mites form in reaction to the laying of eggs, or the feeding of the insect that causes the gall. Most insect galls don’t cause serious or long-term damage to an established tree. However, leaves will prematurely fall and, in immature trees, twig dieback can kill the tree. Twig dieback is a condition that occurs when new growth dies, in this case as the result of gall infestation.
- Does the tree crown contain deadwood, hanging and broken branches? (see picture).
- Are there any obvious cracks, rubbing branches or damage from maintenance equipment (usually mower equipment at the base) leaving the bark open to infection?
- Does the tree lean, particularly toward a target area (path, road or building)?
- Is there any evidence of fungus, disease
The swelling of plant tissue caused by the infestation of a living organism, most often insects, mites, nematodes, bacteria, fungi or viruses
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2014 PC 125
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