Tree control

A tree control book (GIS-based tree register) is kept in my business premises. After the inspection, I will prepare an expert opinion including copies of the logs (tree data sheets) in which the results are recorded. This is made available by email to the organizational unit and, if desired, in ”CC“ to other stakeholders. The expert opinion is the summary and serves to facilitate work on site.
If established, for example, that arboricultural measures (such as removal of dead wood) are necessary, the urgency is indicated the form of a traffic light. Upon request, I can provide assistance to complete the identified measures.

Information for allotment garden associations and foundations
The approach to this side of the topic is similar, with implementation applicable to allotment garden associations.

In particular, the question arises as to whether plot trees and trees located in communal areas (parking lots, paths, playgrounds, outdoor areas, etc.) are the responsibility of the associations.
If the property owner has ceded the duty of road safety, the association must have the road safety carried out and documented by competent persons in compliance with tree control rules in accordance with the FLL guidelines. The association (i.e. the board of the association) is responsible for this and thus has a potential liability risk in the event of damage.

In principle, this type of surveillance task can be carried out by a member of the association if there is provable and sufficient specialist knowledge (e.g. as a certified tree inspector). In these cases it is advisable to check if an insurance company provides sufficient coverage for this inspection activity. If you are a member of the board of directors, you should ask the insurance company in advance whether, in the event of damage, this activity is covered by the existing insurance. It should be precisely documented who is responsible for tree control and the resulting measures.

Tree control can also be delegated to external parties. For the association, this has the advantage of being able to provide professional tree control and documentation and, at the same time, minimizing liability for the association.

In practice, it has proven useful to have the necessary tree control reporting carried out by people / companies that do not benefit from follow-up orders such as felling or tree care.

Garden and landscaping

Do you want to redesign your garden or create a new one?

After a detailed consultation on site, garden planning is completed.

For this purpose, different design elements are presented and, if necessary, included in the preliminary planning in coordination with the future use of the garden. Suggestions and recommendations are evaluated and discussed.

The discussed concept is followed up and can then be visualized on site to get an impression of the planning status.

Do you want to create your own garden and only need a briefing on how the work should be carried out from a technical point of view?

Garden expert Thomas Bauer is at your disposal with his knowledge and he shows you important work steps and project milestones.

When assigning the project to a company, the work and project deliverables can be monitored and assistance provided for final approval.

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Inspection approvals and deficiencies

For property managers and communal residential associations, the consultation of an expert at these stages can be very useful since the technical examination is carried out competently and extensively. Often, referencing an official inspection, completed objectively, expertly and comprehensively, avoids or mitigates disputes amongst owners or members. With proper inspections performed by an expert, property managers can be relieved of liability risk.
Approvals can be verified on site with all parties involved and, ideally, the approval terms (absence of defects in the work) can be determined.

If there are deficiencies, a solution can be found directly. With the instrument of expert approval, the current status is objectively recorded for all those involved and there is clarity on how to measure and determine further progress. To avoid disputes afterwards, a well-prepared approval is always recommended.

Here you will find examples for ascertaining approval capability, assessing defects and checking invoices for horticultural services (plantings, paving, dry stone walls, gabions, ponds, etc.).

Species protection examination ASP 1 (potential assessment)

Anchored in national nature conservation law (Federal Nature Conservation Act ), the relatively new instrument of species protection auditing is based on the protection provisions for selected animal and plant species in two European directives, the Fauna-Flora-Habitat Directive (FFH Directive for short) and the Bird Protection Directive. A more detailed presentation of the legal basis and the procedure for the special examination under species protection law can be found in the information from the Supreme Bavarian Building Authority for saP in road construction and at the Bavarian State Office for the Environment.

The species protection test (ASP) procedure is divided into three stages:

Level I: preliminary examination (spectrum of species, impact factors)
Level II: In-depth examination of the prohibitions
Level III: exception procedure.

The level 1 Species Protection Test (also potential assessment) is the basis for assessing a potential conflict between the planned measure and the requirements of species protection law. An on-site assessment of the site is required for this. The scope of the investigation depends on the size and nature of the site, as well as the existing green areas with trees.

Experience has shown that an on-site visit is sufficient for individual trees to assess level 1. If no conflicts with species protection are seen in the evaluation of level 1, the process is ended. If there is a potential for conflict, a level 2 test is necessary.

Even in simple and unproblematic cases, it is recommended to prepare a „species protection law assessment“ in which the project is briefly described and its impact is assessed. Any necessary avoidance and compensation measures (e.g. hanging bat boxes) must be documented there.