Environmental policy

Tree works shall be carried out whilst ensuring adherence to all wildlife and conservation laws are adhered to including:

• Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (amended 1996)
• Wildlife and Countryside (Amendment) Act 1999
• Countryside Rights of Way Act 2000 •
• Town and Country Planning Act (Trees) Regulations 1999 (amended 2008)
• Conservation (Natural Habitats) Regulations 1994 (amended 2010)
• European Habitats Directive 1992 (amended 2007)
• Biodiversity Act 2005 (amended 2008)

Higher levels of risk will be acceptable in locations where there is a lower footfall e.g. middle of a woodland area as opposed to a highway situation. This will allow the retention of veteran trees without undue risk whilst encouraging bio-diversity and habitat retention.

Retaining felled and deadwood in situ also provides valuable habitat for a number of plant, animal and fungi species. Where practicable and following the consideration of any associated risks, wood from felled trees should be retained in situ. This also reduces the need to transport felled wood or create woodchip on site, therefore reducing the carbon footprint of operations.

All waste from tree surgery will be recycled, being used in a variety of situations, including: mulches for shrub beds, firewood, habitat piles or dead standing timber where suitable, thereby avoiding the use of landfill sites.

Where practicable works will be scheduled in the most efficient manner in respect of minimising travelling distances to reduce CO2 emissions.