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Advice & resoruces

Guide to selecting and appointing an tree consultant

The choice of arboricultural consultants able to undertake work in relation to planning applications or other tree work can be guided by the following principles:

Membership of an appropriate institute or professional association

Many arboricultural consultants are members of the Arboricultural Association, who can provide a list of registered consultants who have been found competent to provide arboricultural consultancy services.



• We are Professional Member of the Arboricultural Association

Knowledge of the local area

Knowledge of the local area is useful in understanding the local soil types, ecology, topography etc and in having good contacts with local contractors and suppliers, for example specialist plant nurseries. It can also lead to a better understanding of local arboricultural policies, constraints and opportunities. 

• Our extensive experience working in the North West has allowed us to build an in-depth knowledge of local planning authority requirements and local planning restrictions that might apply to your site

Relevant experience and knowledge

Any arboricultural consultant appointed should be qualified and experienced in the relevant fields. For example, an arboricultural consultant with extensive experience of preparing tree assessments for residential development sites may not have the appropriate expertise to advise on the management of ancient trees. 

• Our consultants are academically qualified to bachelor degree level in arboriculture and have 15 years within the industry

In house expertise 

Not all environmental consultancies have their own in-house tree specialists, so contract arboricultural consultants may be used, particularly on sites that require a multi-skilled approach. It is advisable to find out who the arboricultural consultant will be, and what professional qualifications or relevant expertise he or she possesses.

Our Consultants specialize in:

• BS 5837 surveys and preparing Technical Notes, Constraints & Opportunities reports, Impact Assessments and Method statements for Planning Applications
• Site supervision works
• Professional tree inspection and risk assessments
• Decay detection investigations
  

Legal requirements

It is important to ascertain whether the consultant you have appointed has all the appropriate legal documentation, licenses and qualifications that are required, both within their profession and for health and safety.

• We hold number of qualifications for arboriculture

Quotations and detailed written proposals

It is always advisable to seek several quotations that include details of the work the consultants would undertake. It may be helpful to ask for a day rate for any additional work that may be needed. Be very clear in explaining what type of output you wish from the consultant - a detailed written report, a verbal report, liaison with the Planning Authority etc. It will then be easier to compare quotations.

• We can provide detailed electronic quotations  written proposals.

Insurance 

Public Liability and Professional Indemnity Insurance should be held by the consultants to cover the costs of any legal liabilities established against them. This is particularly important where the arboricultural consultant is carrying out risk assessments of trees.

• We Hold Public liability to £5,000,000 and Professional Indemnity £1,000,000 for arboricultural consultancy with Arborisk.

References and recommendations

It may be useful to ask any potential consultant for references from similar projects they have carried out. Local contacts can also be a good source of recommendations.

• We can provide references and example reports to similar projects we have carried out.