Are you planning an investment in an area with trees and shrubs? Do you want to obtain a permit to transform greenery? Or maybe the project you are undertaking requires an environmental impact assessment? Check if you do not need a dendrological inventory. What does it concern and when is it required?
Dendrological inventory – what is it? What does it involve?
Dendrological inventory is an analysis of the area in terms of the number and type of trees and shrubs growing there. It allows for the creation of precise species list occurring vegetation. It is carried out by qualified specialists (usually landscape architects) who, during field work, determine, among others:
- the number and species of trees and shrubs present,
- distribution of vegetation,
- dendrological parameters of the plant cover (such as trunk circumference and crown diameter).
Valorisation of tree stands – an important component of the dendrological inventory
As part of the dendrological inventory, the following is also carried out: valuation of the tree stand. It allows you to determine the current health condition of trees. In this case, trees are usually subjected to visual analysis - also using the VTA method. It is based on the assessment of visible features that could cause weakening and loss of stability of the tree, creating a risk of damage.
The valuation of vegetation takes into account the assessment of elements such as:
- the base, trunk and crown of a tree or shrub,
- presence of pathogens and pests.
Thanks to a carefully conducted valuation of the tree stand, the specialist can assess the level of risk, what a specific tree creates for the planned investment in a given area or for the people who stay there. This allows to determine the need for possible felling.
Dendrological inventory – when is it required?
Carrying out a dendrological inventory is necessary for many investments. It is an essential annex for administrative procedures such as:
- consent to cut down or transplant vegetation from the area of the planned undertaking – in accordance with the provisions of Article 83 paragraph 1 of the Act of 16 April 2004 on nature conservation, the removal of trees or shrubs generally requires a permit from the relevant administration body.
- decision on the environmental conditions of consent to implement the project,
- assessment of the project's impact on the environment,
- permission to transform the green area,
- value appraisal report,
- construction work cost estimate,
- decision to grant the tree the status of a natural monument.
It should be remembered that all measurements and work related to dendrological inventory should always be performed in accordance with applicable regulations - in Polish law, this is the Act of 16 April 2004 on nature protection (Journal of Laws 2021, item 1098).
Moreover, a dendrological inventory is also carried out in the process of agreeing on the scope of maintenance works for a stand if it is located in an area under conservation protection. It is also carried out without a clear indication. In such a case, it is most often used for informational, educational or investment purposes.
What components does a dendrological inventory include?
Dendrological inventory is a complex procedure that includes a number of activities. Its scope depends largely on the purposes of the development, as well as the size of the area and the number of trees. In some cases, it is a short analysis, in others – an extensive characteristic. However, it usually includes elements such as:
- quantitative and species identification trees and shrubs (including their location and age),
- plant characteristics (including, among others, determining the diameter of the crown and the height of the tree or shrub),
- analysis of the health condition of the tree stand, both in terms of possible diseases and pests, as well as mechanical damage
- estimation of ecological and landscape value vegetation occurring in a given area,
- planning vegetation-related activities, such as tree care, cutting down, planting new specimens.
Due to the fact that trees and shrubs are constantly growing and developing, the documentation from the conducted dendrological inventory has an expiry date – it is 6 months from the date of its preparation. After this time, the data must be updated.
You don't know if a dendrological inventory is necessary for your planned investment? Or maybe you are looking for experienced specialists who will prepare a reliable study? Write to us or call us, and we will analyse your situation and advise you what actions you need to take to ensure that your project is carried out in accordance with the requirements of environmental protection law.
