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An Arborist is a person who works with trees – normally a tree surgeon or someone who carries out practical work, such as planting, pruning, training etc. Sometimes this term can be used to describe all individuals who work with trees grown for amenity purposes. To find out more about the work of an arboricultural […]

A guide to some of the key things to remember after tree planting with John Parker, Technical Director of the Arboricultural Association.

John Parker talks us through some of the key points to focus on in the months and years after urban trees have been planted, in this example in a community park in Stonehouse, Gloucestershire as part of the Stonehouse in Bloom community project.

The science and practice of the cultivation, establishment and management of amenity trees for the benefit of society. Arboriculture is to trees what horticulture is to other plants, in that it usually refers to the care of trees grown or maintained for their aesthetic or environmental value, rather than the value of their timber or […]

If a tree growing on someone else’s land causes injury to someone or damage to property then the owner may be liable. If you think your neighbour’s tree might be dangerous then you should contact an arboricultural consultant for further advice. It is always best to settle a dispute about trees amicably and it is […]

For many years, gardeners and arborists alike would, as a matter of common tree maintenance, clear ivy from trees in order to remove the competition for light, water and nutrients, as well as the potential threat of the ivy totally smothering the tree. However, in the light of increasing knowledge and research into the relationship […]

A tree (arboricultural) consultant is someone who has gained recognised qualifications and expertise in the care and management of trees. Their role involves providing technical and professional tree care advice to a range of Clients. Including development design advice, tree risk management, management of tree populations, statutory protection assistance, property damage enquiries and supervising construction […]

Arboricultural Association Technical Director John Parker talks you through some basic steps to young tree maintenance in this video guide

Acute Oak Decline – ‌ Oak Acute Oak Decline (AOD) is a disease affecting several thousand native oak trees in Britain. It is considered to have first occurred in Britain 30-35 years ago. It mainly affects pedunculate oak (Quercus robur) and sessile oak (Quercus petrea), however other species of oak can also be affected. ‌ […]

The Arboricultural Association works alongside many leading industry bodies to help promote best practice throughout both our membership but further afield too. To that end we have helped produce a Biosecurity Policy to help prevent spread on pests and diseases in our tree stock. Biosecurity is the single most important subject in terms of safeguarding […]

Construction close to trees Trees are easily damaged by construction works, regardless of their scale. Digging a garden pond may cause damage to trees in the same way as building demolition and construction. It is important to ensure that trees are adequately assessed before ANY work takes place. This is a complex topic. The specialists […]

Selecting the right tree for the right place Planting a tree in your garden is a decision requiring forethought and planning. Consideration must be given to the surrounding landscape and buildings, space available, soil type and location of the particular site. Careful thought will help to ensure that an appropriate species is selected for the […]

Dangerous trees The safety of trees is nearly always the responsibility of the owner of the land on which they grow; but there are some exceptions, such as when a rental agreement requires the tenants of a property to manage the trees. The tree owner or manager has a ‘common law’ duty of care to: […]

The Arboricultural Association makes the archive of help and advice from the now defunct Tree Advice Trust accessible to all. Trees in Focus Code Title Date APN02 Compost from Woody Wastes 1996 APN04 Root Barriers and Building Subsidence 1997 APN05 Shaded by Trees? 1999 APN06 Trees and Shrubs for Noise Control 2000 APN07 Grey Squirrels […]

Tree Pruning is part of a series of general information leaflets produced by the Arboricultural Association. The Association provides membership services, accreditation and support to 3,000 professional arborists in the UK and further afield. We strongly recommend that you use an accredited ARB Approved Contractor or AA Registered Consultant who has been vetted and approved […]

for Tree Owners, Managers, Contractors and Consultants WHO is this guide intended for? This guide provides practical advice and guidance for anyone who owns or manages ash trees, as well as tree contractors and consultants who may be employed to work on ash trees or provide site specific advice concerning their management. It directs people […]

Contractors listed in our directory listing have submitted their businesses and their tree work to the Arboricultural Association for assessment and have been found competent to provide arboricultural contracting services to clients. The Arboricultural Association’s assessment of Approved Contractors is not limited to their knowledge of trees and tree maintenance but also: Their understanding and […]

Services typically required of an arboricultural contractor are: Tree maintenance operations including pruning, and related works to relevant British Standards (see our Tree Work Terminology page) Tree planting operations and aftercare/establishment programmes Tree felling, including dismantling of dangerous trees or trees in confined spaces Advice and guidance on the above. In addition some contractors may undertake pest […]

First, refer to the Arboricultural Association's official guide to choosing your tree surgeon When making an appointment with an ARB Approved Contractor clients should advise the contractor whether advice on trees is required, or if a specification for works already exists against which the contractor’s quotation is sought Clients are advised to obtain more than […]

In most situations the simple answer to this is no. You have a common law right to prune back parts of a tree or hedge growing over the boundary into your property (subject to any legal restrictions being overcome first such as Tree Preservation Orders or conservation areas) but you cannot compel the owner of the trees or […]

Under ‘common law’, you may be able to prune branches and roots which grow over your boundary. However, you also have a legal duty to take ‘reasonable care’ whilst undertaking any works and you may be liable if you damage the tree or cause it to become unstable. It is therefore unwise to undertake works […]

The ‘Bird Nesting Season’ is officially from February until August (Natural England) and it is recommended that vegetation works (tree or hedge cutting) or site clearance should be done outside of the nesting season. However, in reality the nesting period may start before this and extend beyond it, in some cases. The busiest time for […]

All British Bat species are protected by law and many bats roost in trees; although some bat species have adapted to living in buildings, trees still remain important throughout the year for most of the UK’s 16 species. Suitable trees are becoming fewer and further between as older and hollow trees, which provide holes to roost […]

There is often the misconception that some birds are exempt from protection i.e. feral pigeons, magpies, crows etc., but this is not the case: All wild birds are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) whilst they are actively nesting or roosting. It is also an offence to take or destroy any wild bird […]

If your trees are protected by a Tree Preservation Order, or you are within a Conservation Area, or the trees are protected by a condition attached to a planning permission, then you will need consent for the works. Find out if your tree has a TPO More detailed information on TPOs: www.gov.uk/guidance/tree-preservation-orders-and-trees-in-conservation-areas#Flowchart-1-Making-and-confirming-TPO

Your local council is responsible for making Tree Preservation Orders (TPO). You should contact your local authority and speak to the tree officer or someone in the planning department who should determine whether the making of a TPO is appropriate. More detailed information on TPOs: www.gov.uk/guidance/tree-preservation-orders-and-trees-in-conservation-areas#Flowchart-1-Making-and-confirming-TPO

You can check to see if a property or area of land has a Tree Preservation Order on it, or if it is located within a Conservation Area, by looking at the council website or by contacting the local council (usually the planning department). If your tree is protected then you will need to apply […]

The following advice applies to England only and is for guidance purposes only. Some trees are protected by legislation, and it is essential that you establish the legal status of trees prior to carrying out works to them. Unauthorised work to protected trees could lead to prosecution, resulting in enforcement action such as fines or […]

Tree roots typically grow close to the surface, and it is not uncommon for them to develop on the underside of hard surfaces such as driveways, which can lead to cracks developing through physical pressure. This damage is frequently superficial, and there is a range of options available which include: do nothing; repair the cracks; […]

You may be able to depending on the importance of the tree, the nature of the building proposed and distance between the proposed building and the tree in question.

Under common law rights a neighbour can cut back any foliage that overhangs the boundary to the boundary line without reference to the owner of the tree/shrub

If you have any concerns or enquiries about a tree on Council land, contact the Council directly.

It is important that clients understand the basic terms commonly used to describe tree work operations so that they can ask for what they want or understand what the arboriculturist is recommending.

If the building work proposed requires planning consent, all trees which could potentially be affected by the development (including those off-site) should be assessed by an arboricultural consultant in accordance with British Standard BS5837 Trees in Relation to Construction – Recommendations, and details of this submitted to the Local Planning Authority with the planning application. […]

In spite of what you may read in newspapers or be told by insurance companies, there are no fixed minimum recommended distances that you should plant trees of certain species from buildings. When choosing a tree or trees to plant, you should give careful consideration to design, in particular how they will fit with their […]

If the building work proposed requires planning consent, all trees which could potentially be affected by the development (including those off-site) should be assessed by an arboricultural consultant in accordance with British Standard BS5837:2012 Trees in relation to design, demolition and construction – Recommendations, and details of this submitted to the Local Planning Authority with the […]

Hammering anything into a tree is intrusive and will cause harm; a tree is a living organism and an injury such as this is damaging. The outer bark layer on a tree stem protects against disease and decay, anything that breaches it can allow the entry of harmful organisms. The significance of any harm will […]

If your tree is showing symptoms of ill health, which may be related to pest or disease, cultural or other reasons, you can send samples to the following organisations for analysis. Or consider engaging the service of an Arboricultural Association Registered Consultant or Approved Contractor. Please note: charges apply for these services. The Forestry Commission […]

Legal Requirements The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 place general duties on employers and the self-employed to provide health and safety information and training.  Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 place more specific duties on employers and the self-employed to ensure that any […]

Council Tree Officers are not in post to give independent advice to the public about their trees or to recommend individual contractors or consultants. We advise residents to seek help and advice when they are concerned from professionals who are approved by a recognised body such as the Arboricultural Association. The Arboricultural Association has a […]

The law is very clear with regard to a tree owner’s ‘duty of care’ and legally, the owner of the land is responsible for trees growing on their land. You should contact your local Council if there tree is growing on Council owned or managed land. Local government tree officers are usually responsible for the […]

Local Councils do not hold records of land ownership, and therefore cannot advise on the ownership of trees, you should contact the Land Registry who hold details of land ownership. A charge is made for this service. The tree belongs to the person upon whose land it has originally grown. Even if its branches or, […]

Ideally, tree works should not be undertaken during the spring time period, when the 'sap is rising' to enable the leaves to flush (come out) and photosynthesis to begin, and during the autumn, when the tree is drawing nutrients back into itself from the leaves as they go brown.

We strongly advise that tree work contractors undertake appropriate training for all activities they carry out in order to comply with legislation

The Helliwell System is one of several methods of placing a monetary value on the visual amenity provided by individual trees and/or woodland.

The are a wide range of services a professional arborist can offer you. Find out more

A guide to professional qualifications and post nominals.

How to identify a tree professional with all the things to look out for when choosing who to use

When you are thinking of having any tree work carried out, always consider how to select the right tree surgeon

Check out this amazing Infographic describing the benefits of urban trees

You can check to see if a property or area of land has a Tree Preservation Order on it, or if it is located within a Conservation Area, by looking at the council website or by contacting the local council (usually the planning department). If your tree is protected then you will need to apply […]