Trees in and around schools enhance the local landscape, by providing the now accepted, wide range of environmental and social benefits. These can have a positive impact on the lives of pupils and staff. Trees generally require a minimal amount of maintenance over their lifespan. Most commonly this will involve pruning low branches to increase clearance for pedestrians or pruning branches away from buildings or other infrastructure.
However, trees in schools do pose insurance concerns, due to the potential risks that can occur if a tree or part of a tree was to fail, the potential for injury to the pupils, staff or visitors could have major consequences.
In order to minimise the risk of potential accidents occurring in schools, it is recommended that trees are inspected periodically by a qualified and experienced Arboriculturist. Haringey’s Tree & Nature Conservation Team can provide a tree inspection service for schools. Inspections will be carried out by our own in-house Arboricultural Officers.
If you are interested in purchasing this service, please refer to the contact details provided above to arrange the survey. It is highly favourable to inspect school sites during term time and carry out any resultant works during the holiday periods in order to minimise any inconvenience and risks for people on site.
Benefits
• Maintains a documented record of planned tree inspections.
• Receive professional advice and recommendations for tree management and maintenance.
• Ensures compliance with Health & Safety at Work Act 1974.
• Addresses tree owners legal ‘duty of care’ and site manager’s responsibilities under the Occupiers Liability Acts 1957 & 1984 and the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981.
• Use of qualified and experienced tree inspectors.
• Use of qualified and experienced tree work contractors.
• Assist in managing the quality of the natural environment within the school.
More details
Tree inspection services available:
1. Full tree survey:
A visual survey of all the trees on site recording their location, species, size and condition, including the details of any defects. We will specify required works, where necessary, to mitigate any immediate hazard. We will also provide management recommendations for any necessary work over the next two years and any longer-term objectives. The data collected will be retained on our tree database and job sheets will be produced. We will also provide a site plan showing the trees locations. We would recommend this is carried out every 2 years.
Schedule an inspection for the school during April–June or Sept-Oct.
• Carry out a visual inspection of all the trees on site and those immediately adjacent to the school boundary.
• Assess the health and condition of the trees and identify any defects that may present a risk to people on site or school buildings.
• Draft a tree work specification in accordance with BS 3998: Tree work – Recommendations and produce detailed job sheets.
• Provide the school with a summary report which includes recommendations for tree works and a site plan identifying those trees.
Additional services available:
We can also provide advice and management recommendations for other activities, including tree and hedge planting, nature conservation activities and food growing. We can organise tree planting events and other activities to include pupil and staff participation. These services can be procured on an adhoc basis with quotation costs upon request.
Terms
Haringey Council will employ officers who hold the necessary qualifications and experience to provide this service. They will use their knowledge, skills and care to ensure compliance with the relevant legislation and industry best practice. They will also
• Confirm the data and time of the inspection with the site manager, 48 hours before the planned site visit.
• Carry Identification.
• On entering the site, register into the schools visitor log.
• Carry out their duties in accordance with Haringey’s Equal Opportunities Policy.
Procuring the tree works through the Council We can arrange for the tree works to be carried out through our procurement system. We will obtain competitive quotes from approved contractors. We will issue, monitor and check the completion of the works to ensure they are carried out to specification. We will also raise the purchase order and pay the contractors invoice. This part of the service will incur a management fee of 20% of the value of the competitive quote (ex-VAT), with a minimum charge of £50.
Costs and fees The cost for a full tree survey is based on the number of trees on a site, see banding below. We will invoice the school for the cost of the survey and the tree works, if required, once the report has been completed, or after we are satisfied the required tree works have been completed to the specification.
1) 1-20 trees: £300
2) 21-50 trees: £450
3) 51-100 trees: £600
4) 101-150 trees: £750
5) 151-200 trees: £900
Standard terms and conditions apply. Please see the shopping basket for more details
