SCIRT Management Plan: Working Around Non-Protected Trees

This Management plan covers all street trees, park trees and private trees in adjacent properties that may be affected by the work. It does not cover trees covered by the Global Consent for Works Affecting Protected Vegetation (see Consent Conditions Item 3) or those trees listed as Heritage Trees. Its intended to be used by the SCIRT Designers and Environmental Advisors to assist in the design, setup, protection and monitoring of Existing Trees. 1. Protection of Existing Trees a) All Contract Quality Plans are to state whether or not there are trees present in the street and whether or not works are likely to be within the drip line along with the intended methodology of works. b) If the intended work is within the dripline of the tree with the exception of thrusting, a suitably qualified Arborist1* shall be appointed as the Supervising Arborist. The name and the qualifications of the Arborist shall be submitted through the Contract Quality Plan and this is to be made available to the City Arborist2* for approval. On approval this Supervising Arborist will be added to Appendix A3*. c) If the intended work is likely to affect the existing tree and the condition of the tree is unknown a Tree Report may be required by the City Arborist. d) For the protection of existing trees a temporary barrier may be required to be erected around all existing trees that are to be retained on site that may be affected by the work. This barrier shall be made of a material to create a physical barrier with a minimum height of 1.8m such as hurricane fencing and erected at the greater distance of one metre outside the trees drip line or half the trees overall height. e) Where the work site is only on one side of the tree the barrier may be erected along the face of the tree adjacent to the work site. In this situation the barrier should extend by one metre outside the trees drip line or half the trees overall height in each direction away from the tree. f) This barrier shall be erected before any works around or adjacent to the trees commence and shall not be removed or moved closer to the trunk of the tree, until after that section of works is complete, without the approval of the SCIRT Environmental Advisors or Supervising Arborist if one has been appointed. g) Where it is not possible to complete the works without encroaching within the fenced area, a proposed methodology shall be submitted to the City Arborist for approval prior to work commencing. h) No contaminants, fill, equipment, vehicles or machinery shall be stored behind the barrier or under the dripline unless on existing sealed surfaces in which case it must not come into contact with the rootplate. i) Water used for washing down machinery is not to runoff under the drip line unless on an existing sealed surface in which case it must not be released directly onto the rootplate. j) The Supervising Qualified Arborist shall be immediately notified of any damage to existing trees and the City Arborist will then determine if any compensation and/or remedial action is required.

2. Working within the fenced off area or Drip line of a Tree. Where there are excavations (including thrusting pits) within the drip line of a tree the following shall apply: a. Supervising Arborist to be present on site at all times while works are undertaken. b. An Arborist report may be required 3. Tree Roots a) All roots larger than 25mm diameter shall, where possible, be retained in an undamaged state and protected, unless the City Arborist gives permission for them to be cut. b) Roots which have a significant affect on the health and stability of the tree shall not be cut without prior approval from the City Arborist. c) Where consent is given by the City Arborist to cut roots they shall be severed cleanly with a saw or pruning shears by the Supervising Arborist. All exposed roots and cut root ends shall be protected from drying and frost with damp sacking/scrim, polythene sheet or similar material if not backfilled immediately. d) Unless prior approval has been obtained from the City Arborist all underground services within the distance of the trees drip line or half the trees overall height shall, where possible, be installed by trenchless methods. e) Otherwise, excavations within the distances set out in Table 1 below shall, where practical, be carried out by hand with an on-site Supervising Arborist. Care shall be exercised while excavations are carried out so root damage is minimised.
Table 1

Trunk diameter at ground level 0 - 100mm 101 - 300mm 301 - 500mm

Minimum distance from edge of trunk 1m 2m 4m

4. Summary of Procedures for Working Around Trees a) Where the work is outside of the drip line of the tree No Arborist report will be required No Supervising Arborist will be required on site b) Where the work solely entails underground thrusting within the drip line of a tree No Arborist report will be required No Supervising Arborist will be required on site c) Where there are excavations (including thrusting pits) within the drip line of a tree Arborist Report may be required by City Arborist Supervising Arborist to be present on site at all times while works are undertaken

d) Where a tree requires removal, pruning of a branch over 50mm in diameter or pruning greater than 1/3 of the trees height you will be required to do the following: i. Inform City Arborist and give a minimum of 5days notice. ii. Provide an Arborist report2* detailing health and structural integrity of tree, reason for removal, alternative methods of construction, any mitigation measures proposed will need to be provided. iii. You will need to liase with your Communication and Consultation Leader to ensure full consultation with residents and relevant Community Board (including report writing to the Community Board should this be required) is carried out before any work is undertaken. This is to be done in association with the City Arborist.

* Qualified Arborist a person who is in possession of a recognised arboriculture degree, diploma or certificate, and on the job experience, is familiar with the equipment and hazards involved in arboriculture operations, has demonstrated proficiency in inspecting, analysing and treating hazardous trees and has demonstrated the ability to perform the tasks involved. A Certificate shall consist of a minimum of 240 credits of learning (i.e. Level 4).

* City Arborist: Shane Moohan Ph: 941 8030 Cell: 027 637 7935 Email: Shane.Moohan@ccc.govt.nz * Appendix A - Supervising Arborist Approved by Christchurch City Council City Abourist for supervision and report writing. Reference Documents: Construction Standard Specifications (CSS): 2010 Infrastructure Design Standard (IDS) June 2010 National Code Of Practice for Utility Operators Access to Transport Corridors 2011 Global Consent for Works Affecting Protected Vegetation (RMA92019127)
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