Tree Risk Management

Mapscape - tree risk assessment - collapsed tree

Streamline Tree Risk Management

Mapscape offers an award-winning, user-friendly tree risk management software that aligns with the National Tree Safety Group guidelines, ensuring a practical, robust and accountable approach for tree managers, arboricultural practitioners, developers, landowners, and local authorities.

Key Features

Comprehensive Tree Assessments: Project ID based at any scale, plot tree positions, create target zones, record observable defects and recommendations using voice typing and categorise each tree or group of trees/hedge(s) into tree risk work priorities (Very Low > Very High).

Risk Mitigation: Identify potential observable tree disorders early and prioritise tree maintenance efforts to ensure public safety and preserve tree health.

Benefits of Mapscape

  • Using a digital mapping system is more efficient than relying on PDF tree survey reports
  • Interact with the tree survey data using the search tools for improved customer service
  • Grounds Maintenance works are easy to track
  • Monitor the progress of sub-contractor(s)
  • Cost saving by using automated tree risk management reports
  • Flexibility of data capture requirements being added to the spreadsheet
  • Topographical Surveys can be uploaded to Mapscape using ArcGIS for AutoCAD – Free Plug-In for Interoperability Between AutoCAD & ArcGIS | Esri UK
Mapscape - tree risk assessment

3D Tree Risk Visualisation

AS an optional extra, Mapscape can automatically convert your 2D site plans into a 3D Scene Viewer. 

In this 3D Scene view you can and pan and zoom, create walkthroughs, set  dynamic shade timeframes, take measurements and click on any of the trees to view the tree(s) attributes.

The tree heights and the target zones are to scale.

3D scene viewer also works with Ordnance Survey Mastermap and Bluesky International HD Aerial Imagery for improved visualisation and better decision making.

Tree Risk Benefits Framework

Tree Risk - Benefits Framework

How it works:

The flow diagram illustrates the process of planning a volume of land containing trees to be surveyed.

This includes the various steps within the site visit to complete the tree risk assessment, these steps are represented in the tree risk assessment webform, that is completed onsite by the qualified tree surveyor using a smartphone or tablet.

The process includes the optional process of checking to see if  the tree work has been undertaken as agreed as a Sign-off Works which is included within the tree management system through, to repeating the tree risk survey in cyclical manner to compare tree survey site conditions over time.

The following text follows the flow diagram arrows:  

 

Determine Tree Survey Zones

Mapscape includes digital maps and aerial imagery to map out the tree zones and help coordinate the required tree risk assessment schedule of works.

In combination with digital maps and using your mobile GPS signal enables an efficient method of plotting tree positions.

Assess Tree(s) Condition

Once you have created a tree positional point on the digital map, or drawn a tree group or plotted a length of hedge, the tree risk assessment framework provides a common sense sense approach to recording site data, this includes:

  • Photos or Videos
  • Tree Tag Number
  • Work Restrictions such as a TPO or with a Conservation Area
  • Observations and Recommendations
  • Aerial inspection
  • Works Priority (Very Low – Very High)
  • Re-inspection Date(s)

Describe Observable Defects

Using your skills, experience and arboricultural training any identified observable defects on or around the tree can be quickly recorded using voice typing.

You can record up to 1500 characters per tree, that’s about a page of A4 and means you have the tools to record in much detail as required any identified defects and make detailed recommendations for achieving a Works Priority status of Low.

Tree Condition Assessment - 3D data visualisation

Recommendations for Low Tree Risk

During the tree risk assessment, the tree surveyor will identify any observable defects and make a decision on the best course of action to  remove or reduce any identified tree risk to a achieve a Low Tree Risk Value.

Mapscape tree risk assessment webforms, enables the tree surveyor to voice type and quickly edit their tree work recommendations, which once saved, are automatically placed into  a tree risk assessment spreadsheet report together with any photos to speed up deliver times.

More Detailed Investigation (If Required)

If during the tree risk assessment the tree surveyor identifies observable defects that requires further investigations, this is entered into the webform with a description of what is required and also referred in the selection of a Works Priority and also in the reinspection date field.

Tree Risk Assessment - Low Work Priority

Future Tree Management

This is last stage in the above Tree Risk – Benefits Framework the aim of which is achieve and maintain trees, groups of trees and hedges at a Low risk level whilst accounting for their ecological, wildlife, amenity and climatic values to promote healthy living and green environments.

Mapscape - Tree Condition Assessment

In Relation to the Tree(s) Target Zone

A Target Zone is the tree height +4%. When you type in the tree height (m), Mapscape automatically plots the Target Zone to scale around the centre of the surveyed tree.

The Target Zone enables you to see, on a digital map, the impact the tree has on its surroundings.

Select ‘Tree Works’ Priority

The tree risk assessment framework enables the tree surveyor to select a tree Works Priority, ranging from Very High to Very Low.

All tree, group of trees and hedge Works Priority values are colour coded coded on the digital map to make planning tree work schedule easily identifiable to to arboricultural contractors.

Simplifying Tree Risk - Data Capture

Set Re-inspection Dates

A the end of the tree risk assessment the tree surveyor simply enters their recommended date to re-inspect the tree. This can take into account any recommended further investigation, the work status and/or any recommended tree work or instruction from the tree owner.

Work Priority Based Tree Work

Tree Risk Assessment - Works Priority CatorgoriesOn completion of the tree risk assessment the tree surveyor simply selects a Tree Works Priority category for each tree, hedge or tree group from between Very Low to Very High which is then colour coded on the tree risk assessment site plan and added to the spreadsheet report.

Carry Out Tree Work

Any recommended tree work is aimed at maintaining the trees, groups of trees and hedges at a Low Risk Works Priority.

Mapscape produces PDF site plans to email to local planning departments to support ‘Application for tree work’ that can forwarded to contractors with a schedule of tree works for a quotation or tender.

Sign-off-worksSign-off-Works

Once the tree work has been undertaken, the Signoff-Works App enables all recommended tree works to be checked on site and signed off as Complete (Green) or Not Complete (Red) and thereby offers a comprehensive tree management system where tree risk is balanced against the retention of trees and the benefits they provide, as described below.

Measuring Tree Benefits in Carbon Storage

ree Risk v Tree Benefits as Carbon Sequestration

Carbon Reduction Planning

Mapscape automatically calculates the estimated Carbon Sequestration for the Trees, Groups of Trees and Hedges based on the measurements you enter in the App, measured in metric tonnes.

The Carbon Sequestration values are automated projected in 5-year increments to 2050 and these values are included in the tree risk assessment report spreadsheet.

These Carbon Sequestration timeline forecast are projected to 2050 Net Zero to support Sustainability Policies and Environmental Social Governance (ESG)  greenspace and bio-diversity reporting.

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Collapsed Tree and its Safe Removal

Sign Off Works

Tree Works Are CompleteSupplied as a separate URL as part of the Tree Management Module, the Sign-off-Works App enables the tree owner, or their agent, to manage the completion of the tree works resulting from the recommendations made in the tree risk assessment.

It is does this in a simple method of selecting each individual tree, group of trees or hedge and assigning a Tree Work Complete (Green) or Tree Work Not Complete (Red)  colour to the selected feature. When all tree works are complete then the site project ID icon can be moved to green.

Reference Document:

*National Tree Safety Group. Common sense risk management of trees. 2nd Edition. PDF