A Tree Risk – Benefits Framework
Mapscape tree risk assessment software provides a comprehensive, common sense and practical approach to managing tree risk balanced against tree benefits:
The easy-to-use framework works for any number of users and consists of:
- A Mobile App
- A URL to login into for managing tree risk assessments on a Desktop PC
- A URL to login into for optionally managing the completion of any recommended tree works
This UKRI Award-Wining system is for the arboricultural, estates, environmental, education, ESG, housing associations, local government, healthcare, rural land owners, consultants and industries.
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.
The tree risk assessment framework allows users to assess individual trees, groups of trees and hedges to assign at any scale of operations.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
On 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-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
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.
To find out more Click Here
Sign Off Works
Supplied 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.
3D Tree Risk Decision Making
Once you have completed your tree risk assessment, Mapscape automatically your 2D site plan into a 3D Scene viewer as an optional extra. (In Development).
In this 3D view you and pan and zoom, create walkthrough, set shade, take measurements and click on any of the trees to view the tree assessment detail.
The tree heights and the target zones are to scale.
3D scene viewer works with Ordnance Survey Mastermap and Bluesky International HD Aerial Imagery.
Reference Document:
National Tree Safety Group. Common sense risk management of trees. 2nd Edition. PDF