Tree Surgery on Protected Sites

Blog Tree Surgery on Protected Sites

by Wilson Tree Surgery | 19th Sep 2024

We understand the importance of protecting our natural environment while carrying out essential arboricultural work. One of our key responsibilities is ensuring that our work complies with statutory regulations, especially when dealing with sites that have specific designations like Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and RAMSAR sites. In this blog, we’ll provide an overview of these protected areas, how we assess their specific needs, and the steps we take to carry out our work responsibly.

Understanding Protected Areas: SSSIs and RAMSAR Sites

The UK is home to a variety of protected sites that have special designations to conserve their unique wildlife, flora, and habitats. Among these are Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and RAMSAR sites, which are particularly important in our work as a tree surgery company.

1. Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs): SSSIs are designated areas in the UK that are recognised for their exceptional biological or geological significance. These sites are carefully protected by law to preserve rare species, habitats, and geological features. There are over 4,000 SSSIs across the UK, covering a diverse range of landscapes from ancient woodlands to grasslands, wetlands, and coastal regions. Tree work in these areas is strictly regulated to prevent any adverse impact on their ecological value.
2. RAMSAR Sites: Named after the international Ramsar Convention of 1971, RAMSAR sites are designated wetlands of international importance, particularly as habitats for waterfowl and other wildlife. The UK has numerous RAMSAR sites, many of which overlap with SSSIs. These areas are vital for maintaining biodiversity and supporting a range of species, especially migratory birds. Any work in these areas needs to consider not only the local ecological balance but also international conservation agreements.

How We Identify Protected Areas: Using MAGIC Mapping

Before we undertake any tree surgery or land management work, we need to determine if a site falls under any statutory designations. This is where MAGIC (Multi-Agency Geographic Information for the Countryside) Mapping comes into play. MAGIC Mapping is an interactive, government-supported online tool that provides geographic information on the natural environment across England and Wales.

Using MAGIC, we can quickly identify whether a site is designated as an SSSI, RAMSAR site, or any other type of protected area. This step is crucial in planning our work, ensuring that we comply with all relevant environmental regulations and guidelines.

You can explore the MAGIC Mapping tool yourself: here.

Assessing the Impact: Ecological Surveys and the Role of Ecologists

Once we have identified a site as an SSSI or RAMSAR, the next step is to assess the potential impact of our proposed tree surgery or land management activities. This involves instructing professional ecologists to carry out detailed surveys. These surveys help us understand the presence of protected species, habitats, and any other ecological features that could be affected by our work.

The findings of these surveys guide our approach in several ways:

1. Determining Methods and Techniques: The surveys often dictate the specific methods and techniques we use for tree surgery or land management. For example, if a site is home to nesting birds or rare plant species, we may need to adjust our timing, use specific equipment, or employ alternative methods to avoid disturbing these sensitive elements.
2. Implementing Control Measures: To mitigate potential environmental impacts, we implement special control measures based on the ecologist’s recommendations. This might include creating exclusion zones around sensitive areas, using biodegradable materials, or implementing noise-reducing practices.
3. Engaging an Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW): In many cases, we work with an Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW) who accompanies us on-site during the project. The ECoW’s role is to provide ongoing guidance and ensure that all agreed measures are strictly followed, helping to minimise any potential ecological impact throughout the duration of the work.

Why Responsible Tree Surgery Matters

Working on protected sites like SSSIs and RAMSAR areas requires a careful balance between maintaining healthy trees and landscapes and protecting the ecological value of the site. We take pride in our commitment to sustainable practices and ensuring that our work contributes positively to the environment. By collaborating with ecologists and adhering to legal guidelines, we can deliver high-quality tree surgery services that respect both nature and the law.