GUIDELINES FOR TREE RISK ASSESSMENT AND …

1 GUIDELINES FOR TREE RISK ASSESSMENT AND. management arrangement . GREENING, LANDSCAPE AND TREE management SECTION. DEVELOPMENT BUREAU. th NOVEMBER 2015 (8 Edition). 1. GUIDELINES ON TREE RISK ASSESSMENT AND. management arrangement . CONTENTS. Page No PART 1 RESPONSIBILITIES OF TREE management DEPARTMENTS. Purpose 1. Objectives 1. Structure of GUIDELINES 2. Integrated Approach in Tree management 2. Strategic Risk ASSESSMENT in Tree management 3. Identify Your High Priority Areas for Tree Risk ASSESSMENT 3. Prioritise Resources for Valuable Trees and High Risk Trees 3.

2 Mitigate Tree Risk to Protect Public Safety 3. i Page No PART 2 TREE RISK ASSESSMENT . Identify Your Land Allocation and Tree Stock 4. Undertake Tree Risk ASSESSMENT on Area Basis 4. Categorisation of Tree Risk management Zones 5. Undertake Tree Risk ASSESSMENT on Tree Basis 6. Tree Basis ASSESSMENT Tree Group Inspection (Form 1) 7. The TRIAGE System 9. (a) TRIAGE Trees 9. (b) TRIAGE Classification and Colours 9. Trees for Mitigation Measures or Individual Tree Risk ASSESSMENT 12. (Form 2). Tree Basis ASSESSMENT Individual Tree Risk ASSESSMENT (Form 2) 13.

3 Sensitivity Analysis 15. Trees for Sensitivity Analysis 15. Checklist for Sensitivity Analysis 16. Mitigation Measures 17. Record Keeping 18. Audit Inspection 19. ii Page No PART 3 LANDSCAPE AND LOCATION CONDITONS. Objectives 20. Figure - Location Types of Stonewall Trees (SWT) with Surface 21. Attachment on Stonewall Figure - Stonewall Trees (Modes of Failure) 22. Figure - Location Types of Trees in Confined Space 23. Figure - Location Types of Trees with Ground Disturbance 24. Figure - Location Types of Trees on Slopes 25.

4 Iii Page No PART 4 TREE CARE. management 26. Maintenance 29. Monitoring 31. Compliance 33. iv Page No PART 5 FORMS | TEMPLATES | CHECKLISTS. Forms 34. Templates 35. Reporting 35. Signs and Notices 36. Checklists 37. Checklist: Equipment / Tools and Personal Protective Equipment for 38. Tree Inspection Checklist: Photographic Documentation for Tree Risk ASSESSMENT 40. Checklist: Emergency Response 42. Checklist: Sensitivity Analysis 43. Checklist: Tree Removal (non-emergency situation) 44. v Page No APPENDICES. Appendix 1 - Working Examples of Demarcation of Tree Risk management A1-1.

5 Zone Appendix 2 - Overall Workflow of Tree Risk ASSESSMENT and management A2-1. arrangement Appendix 3 - Requirements for Inspection Officers and Endorsement Officers A3-1. (Form 1). Appendix 4 - Form 1: Tree Group Inspection Form A4-1. Appendix 5 - Explanatory Notes for Form 1 A5-1. Appendix 6 - Photo-taking GUIDELINES for Tree Risk ASSESSMENT A6-1. Appendix 7 - Requirements for Inspection Officers and Endorsement Officers A7-1. (Form 2). Appendix 8 - Form 2: Tree Risk ASSESSMENT Form A8-1. Appendix 9 - Explanatory Notes for Form 2 A9-1.

6 Vi GUIDELINES for Tree Risk ASSESSMENT and management arrangement (8th Edition). PART 1 RESPONSIBILITIES OF TREE management DEPARTMENTS. PURPOSE. The GUIDELINES for Tree Risk ASSESSMENT and management (TRAM) arrangement serve to provide technical and performance guidance on tree risk ASSESSMENT , management , monitoring and maintenance. The key objectives are to: (a) Maximise public safety (b) Establish sustainable tree care practices The GUIDELINES for TRAM arrangement are based on international best practices with due consideration to the circumstances in Hong Kong.

7 They should only be applied, supervised and endorsed by qualified inspection and endorsement officers when exercising their professional judgment. They should not be used in a prescriptive manner, nor inhibit the development of new techniques or approaches that aim to add value to existing tree management practices. During the process of tree risk ASSESSMENT , tree management departments, inspection officers and endorsement officers should consider the life-cycle of the tree and its relationship with its surrounds. OBJECTIVES.

8 For Tree management Departments Recognise your role and responsibilities in TRAM for all trees within your purview. Understand the importance of prioritising resources for undertaking TRAM of trees within high priority areas. Understand the importance of quality tree maintenance and risk ASSESSMENT in protecting public safety. For TRAM Inspection and Endorsement Officers Recognise your role and responsibilities in delivering quality TRAM work. Follow the GUIDELINES for TRAM arrangement . Demonstrate competency and professionalism in your tree risk ASSESSMENT .

9 Greening, Landscape and Tree management Section 1. Development Bureau GUIDELINES for Tree Risk ASSESSMENT and management arrangement (8th Edition). STRUCTURE OF GUIDELINES . The GUIDELINES comprise the following five parts, together with a list of supplementary appendices. Part 1 highlights the purpose and objective of the GUIDELINES , and the importance of adopting an integrated approach and strategic risk ASSESSMENT in tree management . Part 2 provides the overall framework and details in implementation of tree risk ASSESSMENT .

10 Part 3 provides examples of a series of location types of trees highlighting unfavourable tree growth conditions affecting tree stability. Part 4 covers a set of baseline considerations to help the decision making process in tree care. Part 5 provides some practical checklists to facilitate tree management works. INTEGRATED APPROACH IN TREE management . The Government has adopted an integrated approach' in assigning responsibilities for preserving and maintaining trees on Government land among relevant departments. It is the responsibility of all tree management departments to manage all assets, including trees, within areas, facilities and premises under their maintenance ambit.