Where schools are considering carrying out works to trees on their sites, the Royal Borough strongly recommends using a contractor who is Arboricultural Association approved.  The Arboricultural Association’s Directory can be found at https://www.trees.org.uk/ARB-Approved-Contractor-Directory and lists quality assured tree surgery businesses who are regularly assessed for their health and safety procedures, office and business practices, including customer care, as well as their quality of tree work. They will display the ARB Approved Contractor logo and their work should therefore meet ‘British Standard 3998 Tree work – Recommendations’

Trees within School grounds should be inspected on a regular basis by a competent person such as an Arboricultural Consultant.  Inspections should cover the health and condition of the trees and make recommendations for works, where necessary for safety, to abate an actionable nuisance and to comply with a statutory obligation such as the Highways Act 1980. Cultural works, for example improving the conditions immediately surrounding any tree, would also be beneficial.