There are two small trees in a playground area of a school would you insist on surveys. I know this is not explicit but given the location and the fact don't know what size they will grow to shoudl professional complete a survey, risk assess, have a register and check regularly

Edited by user 24 March 2019 17:57:21(UTC)  | Reason: speelign mistakes

Hi Helen,

I would (very) humbly disagree if they are as you say, two small trees.

What is an experienced tree expert going to tell you? that these young, small, healthy, beautiful trees are young, small, healthy and beautiful? And charge you a considerable sum for the information. Your gardener will tell you what type of tree it is, you can identify from that, how tall it is likely to grow.

Unless you can see that the trees are a significant risk for some reason then my risk grounds risk assessment would note the presence of the trees, that they are in a safe location and that they look in good condition, there are no roots causing damage to paths or creating a trip hazard, and that they should be checked yearly for signs of storm damage, ill health or other hazards and if found a professional survey will be commissioned. I think that would satisfy any judge or inspector as being a sufficient and suitable assessment. I'm sure you and your gardener are 'qualified' to look at a small tree and decide if it is a hazard.

For a young tree to be a hazard it would need to have been planted in the wrong place (a risk assessment prior to planting would spot this) or perhaps newly planted and staked insufficiently that they may blow over, otherwise it is highly unlikely that it will present any hazard until it reaches maturity and beyond. Of course, you are looking for the obvious (can it be climbed to access a fragile roof or electricity wires for example or when it reaches maturity might it blow over and fall through the roof of the building, and if that is the case, it is in the wrong place). As long as your risk assessments are re-visited periodically to see if they need reviewing, the tree should be able to put 30 years behind it before it causes any significant risk from storm damage, so a simple check every year should be enough.

SNS is absolutely right, mature trees should be professionally assessed if they look to be likely to present a hazard, and if so begin a periodic inspection plan, but surveys on young trees?, I think that money could be spent on something more useful in a school which no doubt is short of funds like the rest of them. I think that would be considered a proportionate response, but I am open to correction. Your RA for the grounds need only record significant findings.