Trading Services is offering a new tree inspection services for schools and other educational establishments, which will provide a record of your trees, including their management and maintenance requirements. If you are interested in this service, please refer to the Traded Services online portal (external link).
Planned tree inspections will ensure your trees are maintained appropriately and do not present a safety risk or nuisance to pupils, staff and the school buildings. We will provide technical advice to site managers regarding their tree-related responsibilities. We will also offer the option of tendering the work through our procurement system, which currently has six tree work contractors offering competitive quotations.
Trees in and around schools enhance the local landscape by providing a wide range of environmental and social benefits. These can have a positive impact on the lives of pupils and staff. Trees generally require a minimal amount of maintenance over their lifespan. Most commonly this will involve pruning low branches to increase clearance for pedestrians or pruning branches away from buildings or other infrastructure.Trees in schools do however pose insurance concerns, owing to the potential risks that can occur if a tree or part of a tree was to fail: with the potential for injury to pupils, staff or visitors.
In order to minimise the risk of potential accidents occurring in schools, we recommend that trees are inspected periodically by a qualified and experienced arboriculturist. Haringey’s Tree & Nature Conservation Team can provide a tree inspection service for schools. Inspections will be carried out by our own in-house arboricultural officers.
Benefits
- Maintains a documented record of planned tree inspections.
- Receive professional advice and recommendations for tree management and maintenance.
- Ensures compliance with Health & Safety at Work Act 1974.
- Addresses tree owners legal ‘duty of care’ and site manager’s responsibilities under the Occupiers Liability Acts 1957 & 1984 and the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981.
- Use of qualified and experienced tree inspectors.
- Use of qualified and experienced tree work contractors.
- Assist in managing the quality of the natural environment within the school.