We have now got our new ICT, ArcGIS10 from ESRI UK, I’ve no idea how to use it just yet but my team of field-based assessors have migrated from the previous software package to the new, without apparently too much trouble . . .
http://www.esriuk.com
My children are delighted that I’ve now moved into the 1990s with my very own PDA, a least I can now access some of the sites that I need for work whilst on the move. The PDA supports Excel and so I should be able to carry out simple surveys myself without constantly referring to an IT self-help book!
The weather has played havoc with fieldwork, but we are not alone in having to deal with that particular complication.
Practically speaking
The data sets for Oxford Homes have been submitted, I think that our team on the ground have done realy well, there are issues behind the scenes with how data is being presented but that’s no reflection on Henry and Nick.
http://oxford.gov.uk
We’re now busy working through the public open spaces, a rather bigger project than any of us expected – we’ll need to add more capacity in the New Year, so if you are interested make contact!
Jonathan.Hazell@parkwood-holdings.co.uk
The job for Tamworth has begun well, and we have found a very good young surveyor to lead that project for us – he knows his stuff and can share his enthusiasm and knowledge with others.
http://www.tamworth.gov.uk/
I’ve carried out a number of tree surveys on primary school sites in Birmingham to help foundation designers working on proposals to redevelop the sites to increase their capacity.
We are about to move onto the next stage of the inventory survey for Glendale in Nuneaton, the winter survey. I’m using an established local consultant to help on that, part of the learning from the now infamous job for the still un-named housing organisation!
http://www.glendale-services.co.uk/
http://www.nuneatonandbedworth.gov.uk/
Oh dear reader, that project, for the (still) un-named housing organisation has highlighted certain of my failings, such as the inability to exert sufficient quality control measures! The work has been submitted, and rejected as a sample of the output reviewed by the client was deemed to be of an inferior quality. It remains an unhappy experience for me, but I have held on to the learning!
Small instructions continue to pop up; some provide the opportunity to work with other disciplines on site, such as urban designers, others are the preserve of the solitary arboriculturist.
Expressly interesting
Since I last blogged (is that really a word?) I am more convinced that the market for sizable opportunities has stagnated, small jobs still cross my desk but nothing substantial. Is that the influence of the economic downturn, the coalition’s spending plans or my reputation – who can tell!
Showing posts with label tree surveys Midlands. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tree surveys Midlands. Show all posts
Friday, 10 December 2010
Thursday, 7 October 2010
An autumnal update
I’ve now got two substantial pieces of long-term work, with Oxford and with Glendale in Nuneaton, as well as a big one-off project with Tamworth, and so I have decided to ask my line manager and his colleagues for their approval to spend some money to upgrade our ICT.
We currently use a variety of software applications (both niche and generic) on a number of different data loggers – there are compatibility problems within and between each application and so I’ve made the decision to migrate everything that we do onto the ArcGIS platform from ESRI and to generally use PDAs for data capture. There will be occasions when “near enough is not good enough” and so we will roll out the TruPulse to help get a better fix (wasn’t he one of Asterix’s mates?) on specific assets.
http://www.esriuk.com
http://www.asterix.com/
All being well next time I venture into the blogosphere I’ll let you know how we are getting on!
I now have a new colleague, Jenny Esdon, an experienced landscape manager and member of the Landscape Institute, and I’m sure that Jenny and I will be able to work together on future projects.
http://www.landscapeinstitute.org/
The changing season
Autumn has arrived and with it a certain unpredictability creeps in –
1. will the weather hold throughout the day?
2. what fungus IS that?
3. which species or variety of broadleaf is that, now all the leaves are turning off?
I hope to be able to help out on the weather front (but only by providing a decent coat, my powers don’t extend very far you know!) and with fungal idents (by adding a variety of images and prompts and so on to the PDA), but the tree ident has to remain the responsibility of the field staff!
Practically speaking
We have now completed the fieldwork for a complete tree inventory and hazard assessment survey for Oxford Homes, we’ve been to every property that they manage and have assessed trees in front gardens, communal areas AND in rear gardens. Unusually, but I believe quite wisely, Oxford Homes have taken the decision to be aware of and responsible for all trees that might be within influencing distance of their properties and residents.
http://oxford.gov.uk
The job for Tamworth has begun well and we have established a good working relationship with our client and have begun to share a common understanding of the assessment and prioritisation of tree hazards and associated risks.
http://www.tamworth.gov.uk/
We have completed an “in-leaf” inventory survey for Glendale in Nuneaton, the winter survey will begin in October, to give us a chance to spot any fungal fruiting bodies that may be evident and to assess the hazard that they pose.
http://www.glendale-services.co.uk/
http://www.nuneatonandbedworth.gov.uk/
Regular readers (I flatter myself!) will be keen to know about the project for the as yet un-named housing organisation! – well, I’ve now submitted all the work that I can and I hope to have closed out the project. It has not been a happy experience for me but I have learnt much during the execution (and I use the word wisely) of the job.
I have now received clarification and clarity over the time allowed in the Consent to work on trees covered by TPO in a private road near Solihull. I have invited a local contractor to give me his best price for the first instalment, the removal of horse chestnut badly affected by leaf miner and by bleeding canker.
Small instructions pop up every so often; some provide the opportunity to work with other disciplines on site, such as the ecologists, others are more solitary affairs!
Expressly interesting
Since I last blogged (is that really a word?) I get the impression that the market has stagnated, opportunities across the board have dried up – I must do more to raise my profile and so come to the attention of those who want or need arboricultural advice!
We currently use a variety of software applications (both niche and generic) on a number of different data loggers – there are compatibility problems within and between each application and so I’ve made the decision to migrate everything that we do onto the ArcGIS platform from ESRI and to generally use PDAs for data capture. There will be occasions when “near enough is not good enough” and so we will roll out the TruPulse to help get a better fix (wasn’t he one of Asterix’s mates?) on specific assets.
http://www.esriuk.com
http://www.asterix.com/
All being well next time I venture into the blogosphere I’ll let you know how we are getting on!
I now have a new colleague, Jenny Esdon, an experienced landscape manager and member of the Landscape Institute, and I’m sure that Jenny and I will be able to work together on future projects.
http://www.landscapeinstitute.org/
The changing season
Autumn has arrived and with it a certain unpredictability creeps in –
1. will the weather hold throughout the day?
2. what fungus IS that?
3. which species or variety of broadleaf is that, now all the leaves are turning off?
I hope to be able to help out on the weather front (but only by providing a decent coat, my powers don’t extend very far you know!) and with fungal idents (by adding a variety of images and prompts and so on to the PDA), but the tree ident has to remain the responsibility of the field staff!
Practically speaking
We have now completed the fieldwork for a complete tree inventory and hazard assessment survey for Oxford Homes, we’ve been to every property that they manage and have assessed trees in front gardens, communal areas AND in rear gardens. Unusually, but I believe quite wisely, Oxford Homes have taken the decision to be aware of and responsible for all trees that might be within influencing distance of their properties and residents.
http://oxford.gov.uk
The job for Tamworth has begun well and we have established a good working relationship with our client and have begun to share a common understanding of the assessment and prioritisation of tree hazards and associated risks.
http://www.tamworth.gov.uk/
We have completed an “in-leaf” inventory survey for Glendale in Nuneaton, the winter survey will begin in October, to give us a chance to spot any fungal fruiting bodies that may be evident and to assess the hazard that they pose.
http://www.glendale-services.co.uk/
http://www.nuneatonandbedworth.gov.uk/
Regular readers (I flatter myself!) will be keen to know about the project for the as yet un-named housing organisation! – well, I’ve now submitted all the work that I can and I hope to have closed out the project. It has not been a happy experience for me but I have learnt much during the execution (and I use the word wisely) of the job.
I have now received clarification and clarity over the time allowed in the Consent to work on trees covered by TPO in a private road near Solihull. I have invited a local contractor to give me his best price for the first instalment, the removal of horse chestnut badly affected by leaf miner and by bleeding canker.
Small instructions pop up every so often; some provide the opportunity to work with other disciplines on site, such as the ecologists, others are more solitary affairs!
Expressly interesting
Since I last blogged (is that really a word?) I get the impression that the market has stagnated, opportunities across the board have dried up – I must do more to raise my profile and so come to the attention of those who want or need arboricultural advice!
Wednesday, 8 September 2010
Torpor? No, frenetic activity!
I suspect that I’ve broken the rules, written or unwritten, of blogging by being inactive for such a long time but it’s not torpor that’s been holding me back, far from it!
Practically speaking
The job for Tamworth Borough Council is about to get going,
http://www.tamworth.gov.uk/
I’ve got my team on site now testing our ICT solution and submitting sample data sets to the Tree Officer, Marc Budge.
I can begin to see a pinprick of light expanding into a pool, that I can only presume means the end of the tunnel that has been the Registered Social Landlord’s project – but it is still in need of completion! The engagement of experienced project managers (experience in both arboriculture and delivering large scale projects) made a significant difference to progress and quality assurance, as did the hiring of more boots on the ground.
A survey for a sister company has gone well; I look forward to a repeat visit to the Midlands later in the year.
A tree management project that has been submitted to planners for their consideration has been given the go-ahead – the population is in a private road near Solihull. I hope to have clarification on the timelines for the project shortly, my proposal was that the work be spread over five years, the consent as granted refers to only two years.
We have now completed the survey of the trees in the housing areas for Oxford City Council – it is my understanding from my team on the ground that the project has gone well, the IT has been a bit of a bore on occasion but we have now submitted a seamless data set of in excess of 20,000 records to the client. The next phase will see us move into the parks and open spaces, my ambition is to provide a team of up to four surveyors to get on to the ground whilst the weather remains favourable and the species can be identified and any fungi noted!
Unfortunately Buckinghamshire County Council have withdrawn the PQQ for the management of thier green spaces, I am not sure why – I was looking forward to the project and I hope that there will be other similar opportunities.
Expressly interesting
My impression is that whilst some opportunities are drying up – there seem to have been fewer enquiries for development site tree surveys in recent weeks – other areas, or perhaps groups of clients, remain buoyant.
Practically speaking
The job for Tamworth Borough Council is about to get going,
http://www.tamworth.gov.uk/
I’ve got my team on site now testing our ICT solution and submitting sample data sets to the Tree Officer, Marc Budge.
I can begin to see a pinprick of light expanding into a pool, that I can only presume means the end of the tunnel that has been the Registered Social Landlord’s project – but it is still in need of completion! The engagement of experienced project managers (experience in both arboriculture and delivering large scale projects) made a significant difference to progress and quality assurance, as did the hiring of more boots on the ground.
A survey for a sister company has gone well; I look forward to a repeat visit to the Midlands later in the year.
A tree management project that has been submitted to planners for their consideration has been given the go-ahead – the population is in a private road near Solihull. I hope to have clarification on the timelines for the project shortly, my proposal was that the work be spread over five years, the consent as granted refers to only two years.
We have now completed the survey of the trees in the housing areas for Oxford City Council – it is my understanding from my team on the ground that the project has gone well, the IT has been a bit of a bore on occasion but we have now submitted a seamless data set of in excess of 20,000 records to the client. The next phase will see us move into the parks and open spaces, my ambition is to provide a team of up to four surveyors to get on to the ground whilst the weather remains favourable and the species can be identified and any fungi noted!
Unfortunately Buckinghamshire County Council have withdrawn the PQQ for the management of thier green spaces, I am not sure why – I was looking forward to the project and I hope that there will be other similar opportunities.
Expressly interesting
My impression is that whilst some opportunities are drying up – there seem to have been fewer enquiries for development site tree surveys in recent weeks – other areas, or perhaps groups of clients, remain buoyant.
Monday, 28 June 2010
A triumph (no, not England in South Africa!)
Practically speaking
Fantastic news! I’ve recently been instructed to carry out an inventory survey for Tamworth Borough Council
http://www.tamworth.gov.uk/
and spent a very happy morning last week with the Tree Officer, Marc Budge, looking at the variety of trees that he is responsible for, and their settings – highway verges (very familiar from my days in Milton Keynes) to parks and gardens.
I can add nothing to my most recent comment about the Registered Social Landlord’s project - it is still nearing completion! I have sought support from an experienced project manager and his ability to oversee the daily progress of the project is making a big difference to me.
For more about the particular tree management software that we are using then access the ARBORtrack web site at:
http://www.arbortrack.com/main.asp
Another tree management project concerns a population under TPO in a private road near Solihull, a mix of limes and horse chestnut, some in good condition, some in terminal decline. I have submitted an application for consent to work on those trees over a five-year period; I look forward to learning the local planning authority’s view of my proposals.
I visited West Ealing last week to start the long-term management of the tree population at the Hanger Hill Garden Estate, an Arts and Crafts development in West London. I have carried out the walkover survey, that which remains (in this phase!) is the post-processing of the data (tabulating all my field notes!) and its analysis before developing tender documents for the priority tree works.
Our project for Oxford City Council is going well, we are approaching the end of the data capture for the housing managers and will shortly move into the open spaces.
I have submitted a PQQ for Buckinghamshire County Council for the management of thier green spaces:
http://tinyurl.com/36cqmpa
I look forward to hearing good news and to being invited to contribute to the next phase!
Expressly interesting
Along with a number of development site tree surveys to the requirements of BS5837 I’ve expressed interest in a project advertised in Horticulture Week
http://www.hortweek.com/
for the Environment Agency in Yorkshire, Northumbria and North Derbyshire, but have not yet heard from them
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/
Another initiative makes reference to the UK Woodland Assurance Standard
http://tinyurl.com/3yfoun4
and so I shall be conducting some research into how I can get the group registered under the scheme.
Fantastic news! I’ve recently been instructed to carry out an inventory survey for Tamworth Borough Council
http://www.tamworth.gov.uk/
and spent a very happy morning last week with the Tree Officer, Marc Budge, looking at the variety of trees that he is responsible for, and their settings – highway verges (very familiar from my days in Milton Keynes) to parks and gardens.
I can add nothing to my most recent comment about the Registered Social Landlord’s project - it is still nearing completion! I have sought support from an experienced project manager and his ability to oversee the daily progress of the project is making a big difference to me.
For more about the particular tree management software that we are using then access the ARBORtrack web site at:
http://www.arbortrack.com/main.asp
Another tree management project concerns a population under TPO in a private road near Solihull, a mix of limes and horse chestnut, some in good condition, some in terminal decline. I have submitted an application for consent to work on those trees over a five-year period; I look forward to learning the local planning authority’s view of my proposals.
I visited West Ealing last week to start the long-term management of the tree population at the Hanger Hill Garden Estate, an Arts and Crafts development in West London. I have carried out the walkover survey, that which remains (in this phase!) is the post-processing of the data (tabulating all my field notes!) and its analysis before developing tender documents for the priority tree works.
Our project for Oxford City Council is going well, we are approaching the end of the data capture for the housing managers and will shortly move into the open spaces.
I have submitted a PQQ for Buckinghamshire County Council for the management of thier green spaces:
http://tinyurl.com/36cqmpa
I look forward to hearing good news and to being invited to contribute to the next phase!
Expressly interesting
Along with a number of development site tree surveys to the requirements of BS5837 I’ve expressed interest in a project advertised in Horticulture Week
http://www.hortweek.com/
for the Environment Agency in Yorkshire, Northumbria and North Derbyshire, but have not yet heard from them
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/
Another initiative makes reference to the UK Woodland Assurance Standard
http://tinyurl.com/3yfoun4
and so I shall be conducting some research into how I can get the group registered under the scheme.
Thursday, 10 June 2010
Looking ahead!
Practically speaking
The Registered Social Landlord’s project is (still!) nearing completion; the process of transcribing the field notes into ARBORtrack is drawing to a close, and there’s a meeting scheduled for early next week. Much has been learned from this project that will be borne in mind when making future offers!
A second project that relies upon using ARBORtrack can be re-booted once the project above has been signed off.
If you are interested in learning more about the tree management software, and new developments that are planned, then access the ARBORtrack web site at:
http://www.arbortrack.com/main.asp
Since my last post, of 9 April, I have had eight more enquiries for tree surveys on development sites to BS5837, of those I have already been instructed to complete three, and a fourth is on going.
My presentation to the RFS/RASE Tree Diseases Conference was duly delivered, and was as predicted nerve-wracking stuff. My thesis on the day was that the title I was given, “Tree diseases and the arboriculture industry – an overview” could not be addressed, as there was not one, single, homogenous community that was being affected by tree diseases. The question that I could not answer was how can those with knowledge to impart reach out to all those practitioners to improve the overall quality of amenity tree care?
All of the speakers’ presentations are now available from the RASE website
http://tinyurl.com/39qpuv8
Another ongoing project concerns the management of the tree population in a private road near Solihull, a mix of limes and horse chestnut, some in good condition, some in terminal decline.
After a troubled gestation I hope to become involved in the long-term management of another tree population, at an Arts and Crafts estate in West London – colleagues in Glendale may become involved in the grounds maintenance.
For detail about the range of green services that Glendale can provide see
http://www.glendale-services.co.uk
Our project for Oxford City Council is going well, we are approaching the end of the data capture for the housing managers and will shortly move into the open spaces.
Expressly interesting
Along with a number of development site tree surveys to the requirements of BS5837 I’ve expressed interest in a project advertised in Horticulture Week
http://www.hortweek.com/
for the Environment Agency - they require tree work throughout England, but predominantly in Yorkshire, Northumbria and North Derbyshire
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/
Another expression of interest is for a Country Parks and Green Spaces Project for Buckinghamshire County Council,
http://tinyurl.com/36cqmpa
I have “form” in this area – I drew on many happy years working in Milton Keynes
http://www.theparkstrust.com/parks-trust/
when I submitted my bid for the management of Northamptonshire’s country parks:
http://tinyurl.com/2ukqj7s
I elected to withdraw toward the end of that process because of concerns over my ability to correctly interpret the financial data that had been supplied. Let's hope that I can go further with Bucks CC!
Another initiative makes reference to the UK Woodland Assurance Standard
http://tinyurl.com/3yfoun4
and so I shall be conducting some research into how I can get the group registered under the scheme.
The Registered Social Landlord’s project is (still!) nearing completion; the process of transcribing the field notes into ARBORtrack is drawing to a close, and there’s a meeting scheduled for early next week. Much has been learned from this project that will be borne in mind when making future offers!
A second project that relies upon using ARBORtrack can be re-booted once the project above has been signed off.
If you are interested in learning more about the tree management software, and new developments that are planned, then access the ARBORtrack web site at:
http://www.arbortrack.com/main.asp
Since my last post, of 9 April, I have had eight more enquiries for tree surveys on development sites to BS5837, of those I have already been instructed to complete three, and a fourth is on going.
My presentation to the RFS/RASE Tree Diseases Conference was duly delivered, and was as predicted nerve-wracking stuff. My thesis on the day was that the title I was given, “Tree diseases and the arboriculture industry – an overview” could not be addressed, as there was not one, single, homogenous community that was being affected by tree diseases. The question that I could not answer was how can those with knowledge to impart reach out to all those practitioners to improve the overall quality of amenity tree care?
All of the speakers’ presentations are now available from the RASE website
http://tinyurl.com/39qpuv8
Another ongoing project concerns the management of the tree population in a private road near Solihull, a mix of limes and horse chestnut, some in good condition, some in terminal decline.
After a troubled gestation I hope to become involved in the long-term management of another tree population, at an Arts and Crafts estate in West London – colleagues in Glendale may become involved in the grounds maintenance.
For detail about the range of green services that Glendale can provide see
http://www.glendale-services.co.uk
Our project for Oxford City Council is going well, we are approaching the end of the data capture for the housing managers and will shortly move into the open spaces.
Expressly interesting
Along with a number of development site tree surveys to the requirements of BS5837 I’ve expressed interest in a project advertised in Horticulture Week
http://www.hortweek.com/
for the Environment Agency - they require tree work throughout England, but predominantly in Yorkshire, Northumbria and North Derbyshire
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/
Another expression of interest is for a Country Parks and Green Spaces Project for Buckinghamshire County Council,
http://tinyurl.com/36cqmpa
I have “form” in this area – I drew on many happy years working in Milton Keynes
http://www.theparkstrust.com/parks-trust/
when I submitted my bid for the management of Northamptonshire’s country parks:
http://tinyurl.com/2ukqj7s
I elected to withdraw toward the end of that process because of concerns over my ability to correctly interpret the financial data that had been supplied. Let's hope that I can go further with Bucks CC!
Another initiative makes reference to the UK Woodland Assurance Standard
http://tinyurl.com/3yfoun4
and so I shall be conducting some research into how I can get the group registered under the scheme.
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