Projec t: VTA - Ogwen Bank Caravan and Lodge Park Site ...

Project: VTA - Ogwen Bank Caravan and Lodge Park Site: Snowdonia National Park, Gwynedd, North Wales, LL57 3LQ Client: Zoe Burgess, Group Manager

This Report is the copyright of Woodland Solutions. Any unauthorised reproduction or usage by any person other than the addressee is strictly prohibited.

Revision History.

Distribution.

Re-Survey Date.

Report no: 19_VTA_11_17 (update)

Date: 13th February 2020

FAO: Zoe Burgess, Group Manager

eMail: [email protected]

ROAVR - Environmental all rights reserved.

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Document Title: Arboricultural Safety Survey

Document Author: Matt Harmsworth

Project Manager: Matt Harmsworth

Project Title: VTA - Ogwen Bank Caravan and Lodge Park

Date: Version number:

Summary of changes:

13th February 2020 1.0 First Draft

13th February 2020 1.0 Final Issue - updated January 2021

Approved by: Signature Date: Version:

Matt Harmsworth MWH 13/2/2020 1.0

Zoe Burgess ZB 13/2/2020 1.0

Survey Type: Lifecycle: Re-survey Date:

Tree Safety Survey 1-month N/A

Visual Tree Safety Inspection at Ogwen Bank Caravan and Lodge Park

1. Scope

1.1 Storm Ciara was an active extratropical cyclone , and the third named storm of the 2019–20 Ireland, Netherlands and UK windstorm season . Ciara brought heavy rain and severe winds across much of the United Kingdom, Ireland, Sweden and other northern regions in Europe.

1.2 On 4 February, the Met Office issued a yellow warning for wind for the

the following weekend for a potential storm, covering all of the United Kingdom. At the time, no name was issued for the system involved. The following day, the storm was formally named Ciara by the Met Office. For 9th February, an amber wind warning for much of England was issued, with the rest of the United Kingdom remaining under a yellow wind warning. The agency forecasted wind gusts of 50 to 60 mph (80 to 97 km/h) across the country, with the possibility of gusts up to 80 mph (130 km/h) along coastal regions.

1.3 On 9th February, heavy rainfall from Ciara caused severe disruption across

the British Isles. As a result, the Environment Agency issued 186 flood alerts, 251 flood warnings and 1 severe flood warning in England. On the 8-11th February Storm Ciara rampaged through North Wales and the Ogwen and Nant Francon Valleys leading to trees being uprooted, landslides, property damage and road closu res.

1.4 When the winds reached their peak, trees on the extreme eastern side (and

highest part) of Ogwen Bank adjacent to the A5 came under extreme pressure.

1.5 Many of the trees in this section of the park have had their exposure to

prevailing winds altered over the years through the removal of other trees for safety works and natural losses.

1.6 One tree previously identified as weakened (00917) and another beech

identified for tree safety works (00933) were lost dues to the wind taking down an ABC cable and the latter some 11kv power lines. The resulting mess blocked the main A5 for some time.

1.8 A further two beeches were lost and a mature scots pine. Across the park,

trees identified for tree safety works lost limbs or were weakened in the root plate. Many were observed to be moving on the 12th February during a walkover by Matt Harmsworth.

1.9 Following on from February 2020, further storms and high winds have lead

to additional losses, including a large mature scots pine which destroyed property on the site.


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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extratropical_cyclone

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019%E2%80%9320_European_windstorm_season

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Met_Office

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environment_Agency

1.10 Officers from Gwynedd have visited the site in 2020 to confirm and verify the data within this report but still no formal response has been issued. As such much of the work remains outstanding and is now urgent. A new 5-day notice has been issued for works to commence asap on the 25th January 2021 for works in the data tables marked ASAP and <6-months. Much of this work is now a year out of date.

1.11 In addition to the timeline above, resistograph testing was carried out on

3-trees with fungal fruiting bodies and basal decay confirming the requirement for urgent removal. One has failed since this survey was carried out.

1.12 Requests have been made to cross reference our surveyed trees with the old

hand drawn TPO register. This is not possible. All trees requiring works are clearly identifiable on site and are tagged and marked, we also understand officers from Gwynedd have visited the site to confirm this.

1.13 In addition to this report and the works required. The park has been contact

by NWTRA who have requested urgent advice as below.


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1.14 Finally, the tree below failed in May 2020 before a response was received from Gwynedd Council.

Photographic plate showing the spiral (helical) failure of a mature pine adjacent To a caravan due to brown rot.


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Photographic Plates.

Photographic plate showing the mature Scots Pine lost due to Storm Ciara.

Photographic plate showing one of the mature beech trees collapsed across the A5.


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Photographic plate showing the two beech trees collapsed across the A5.


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2. The Response

2.1 ROAVR were called to site midday on the 11th February and responded for the morning of the 12th February. An indepth walkover of the site was conducted using the existing data tables as a benchmark and amending the required works accordingly.

2.2 In addition to the tree losses it was noted that a number of trees had

snapped hanging limbs, an oak was destabilised, an alder had snapped in half adjacent to the A5 and a number of small birch had become wind blown due to ivy coverage and altered exposure.

2.3 Appended to this covering letter are amended data tables and plans.

3. Recommendations

3.1 Recommendations for safety works are included within the data tables, with additional recommendations in the paragraphs below.

3.2 It is unavoidable and inevitable that large scale tree safety works, including

many removals are now going to have to take place as a matter of urgency, manner with an increase in severity from the November tree survey.

3.3 Thirteen trees are marked within the data tables as urgent/dangerous/ASAP

works. These should be carried out under a 5-day notice to the local planning authority (Gwynedd). Many of these works are required before park facilities such as homes and car park areas can be used again safely.

3.4 A further sixteen trees are classified as requiring work within 6-months.

These should also be considered urgent works and Gwynedd should be informed of the intention to carry out these works with the ASAP’s. A joined up approach is essential here as many of the trees are unsafe to climb and will require specialist equipment to be deployed. A piecemeal approach is not safe.

3.5 The remaining twenty four trees requiring works in a periods of less than

3-years, less than 2-years and less than 1-year should form the basis of an application to Gwynedd Council as all these trees are protected by both individual and group tree preservation orders.

3.6 As the character of the locality will inevitably change drastically with these

essential safety works, the Park should consider extensive re-planting with robust and sustainable native tree stocks.


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4. Contractors

4.1 Tree works should be carried out by suitable qualified and insured operators who are preferably members of the Arboricultural Association which demonstrates commitment to best practise.

4.2 Some of the removals are highly technical and specialised and given the

condition of some of the stems for removal, may require the caravans moving to facilitate.

5. Limitations

5.1 ROAVR Environmental has prepared this Report for the sole use of the above named Client/Agent in accordance with our terms of business, under which our services were performed. No other warranty, expressed or implied, is made as to the professional advice included in this Report or any other services provided by us.

5.2 This Report may not be relied upon by any other party without the prior

and express written agreement of ROAVR Environmental. The assessments made assume that the land use will continue for their current purpose without significant change. ROAVR Environmental has not independently verified information obtained from third parties.

5.3 This report, video walkthrough, data tables and raw data remain the

copyright of ROAVR until such time as any monies owed are settled in full and the report may be withdrawn at anytime.

5.4 At the time of writing (13th February 2020 @ 20:00) a further storm named

Dennis is due to hit the UK with storm force winds at the weekend. It is highly likely further trees will be lost and that this data will once again require updating.

Should you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us at any time.

Mr. M Harmsworth tech.arbor.a, DipRS Consultant Arborist

Matt Harmsworth

Prepared by: Matthew Harmsworth. Checked by: Jill Taylor


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Appendix 1 – Data Tables.


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Tree Tag Species Height Age Class DBH Life

Expectancy Condition Physical Desciption Works Required Timescale Budget

121 Sycamore 12 SM 490 <10 PoorLocated in slate matrix; ground level altered; in heavy decline; threatens

adjacent A5Fell <3 years 2 men /2 day plus traffic

control

122 Sycamore 14 M 400 <10 Poor LocTed in slate matrix; in heavy decline; threatens A5 Fell <1 year 3 men 1 day plus traffic

control

125 Sycamore 13 M 400 <5 Poor Located in slate matrix; threatens A5; in heavy decline Fell <6 months

3 men 1 day plus traffic control; extends over BT

wires.

126 Sycamore 14 M 500 <5 Poor In heavy decline; forest growth form; located in slate matrix; Fell for safety <1 year 3 men 1/2 day

127 Sycamore 9 SM 390 <5 Poor In heavy decline; ground level altered; decay in old wound; in heavy decline; Fell <1 year 2 men 1/2 day

917 Beech 17 M 650 <10 Good Good physical condition unstable root plate Fell for safety *collapsed in Storm Ciara now removed <1 year 3 men 1 day

918 Oak 18 M 700 10 FairForest growth form; close to drive;

asymmetric crown; deadwood present; possible RPA damage;

Remove major deadwood and monitor. <1 year 2 men 3 hours

919 Scots Pine 17 M 800 <10 FairForest growth form; close to drive;

asymmetric crown; deadwood present; possible RPA damage

Remove major deadwood and monitor <1 year 2 men 2 hours

920 Oak 10 M 550 <10 Poor Unstable root plate - *observed moving in Storm Ciara Fell for safety following storm <6 months 2 men 2 hours

923 Larch 18 M 750 10 Fair Located close to road; ground level altered within RPA.

Remove major deadwood and monitor <2 years 2 men 4 hours

933 Beech 17 M 800 20 Good Hard surface within RPA; equipment stores within RPA; snapped hanging limb

Crown clean; collapse in Storm Ciara; now removed. <6 months 1 man 1 hour

934 Thuja 10 SM 290 <5 Poor Extensive stem damage. Fell <3 years 2 men 3 hiurs

935 Horse Chestnut 21 V 1400 29 Good Large prominent veteran tree; some storm

damage and deadwoodCrown clean * updated after

Storm Clara now has snapped hanging branches.

<6 months 2 men 1 day

150 Scots Pine 23 V 1200 <10 Fair Good vitality but decay fungus found at base of stem;

Invasive testing required as threatens caravans ASAP TBC

0164-65 Sycamore x 2 12 M 800 <10 Poor In decline; constrained rooting area; small

leaves for species; monitor Monitor <1 year N/A

167 Sycamore 13 SM 450 <10 Poor In decline; threatens A5. Monitor <2 years N/A



168 Sycamore 11 M 500 <10 Poor Multi stemmed; in decline; threatens A5 Monitor <2 years N/A

936 Silver Birch 8 EM 250 10 PoorLarge mechanical wound on stem; reduced

useful life expectancy as adjacent to caravan. *storm ciara snapped hung up silverbirch ivy clad adjacent to this tree

Fell ASAP 1 man 2 hours

937 Silver Birch 10 EM 180 0 Dead Dead; threatens road. Fell ASAP 1 man 1 hour.938 Willow 5 EM 180 <5 Poor Hazard beam failure. Fell ASAP 1 man 1 hour

939 Silver Birch x 2 13 SM 390 0 Dead Dead; threatens parking area and

caravans; Fell ASAP 2 men 1 day

940 Alder 3 EM 150 0 Dead Small dead alder; heavily decayed at back of caravan; wires fixed to stem; Fell ASAP 1 man 30 mins

941 Willow 6 SM 250 <5 Poor Self set willow clump with structural defects; Fell <2 years 1 man 2 hours

942 Oak 16 V 1300 29 Good Good vitality but decay fungus noted at base of stem; requires further investigation.

Crown clean to remove major deadwood and decay test; <6 months 3 men 1/2 day

943 Oak 17 V 1400 49 Fair Co-dominant stems; close to road; storm damage and deadwood noted Crown clean <1 year 2 men 1/2 day

944 Oak 8 M 500 0 Dead Threatens road and caravans Fell ASAP 2 men 1 day

945 Oak 14 M 900 20 Poor Large amount of nasal decay in previously collapsed limb; close to caravans

Pollard to 3m and retain for habitat. <1 year 2 men 1 day

945 Oak 18 OM 1200 49 Good Large prominent tree; much storm damage and deadwood. Crown clean. <6 months 3 men one day.

947 Silver Birch 12 M 290 <10 Fair Good vitality but basal decay and poor form; head lean toward caravans. Fell <2 years 2 men 1/2 day

948 Oak 13 M 490 <5 PoorExtensive basal wounding; threatens vans. *storm Ciara - large snapped out limb hung

up over caravans (Lodge 15)Fell ASAP 2 men 1 day

949 Oak 15 OM 980 20 Fair

Good vitality; poor form; large limbs removed at base in the past; located

between caravans; * extensively damaged in storm ciara, damaged adjacent caravan,

works now urgent

Pollard at 5m above caravan height. ASAP 2 men 1 day

950 Oak 14 V 1400 40 Good Good vitality but heavily storm damaged. Reduce crown by 40% <2 years 3 men 1 day

951 Oak 16 OM 980 40 Good Good vitality but extensive storm damage. Reduce crown by 40% <2 years 3 men 1 day as over caravan



952 Oak 8 M 400 0 Dead Dead Fell ASAP2 men 1 day tricky

dismantle next to caravan and river

953 Oak 18 V 1300 40 Good Deadwood and storm damage; threatens car park. Crown clean. <2 years. 3 men 1 day due to size.

954 Oak 7 EM 300 <10 Poor Heavily storm damaged; most of upper crown lost; poor form; Fell <3 years 2 men 3 hours

169 Scots Pine 19 OM 1100 <5 Dangerous Extensive basal decay and decay in limb over road. Fell for safety. ASAP

3 men 2 days technical dismantle over caravan with

unknown trunk integrity.

171 Beech 21 OM 1200 <10 Poor Good vitality; but located above lodge 27 and 75 with basal decay on road side;

No choice but to recommend removal unless pods are

moved.<6 months 3 men 2 days

00180/81 Sycamore 16 M 500 <5 Poor In heavy decline; located in hard matrix; outstanding from 2016. Fell <1 year 3 men 2 days

159 Sycamore 12 M 800 <5 PoorLocTed on bank above caravan; Located in

busy car park area; tarmac within RPA [historic]; heavy crown die back; stag

headed; kretz suspect;

Dismantle and fell <1 year 3 men 1 day

00184-186 Sycamore 17 M 650 <10 Poor

Outstanding from previous survey and now shedding limbs; in heavy decline; RPA

completely hard surfaceFell <1 year 3 men 3 days

162 Sycamore 17 M 800 <10 PoorLocated in busy car park area; tarmac

within RPA [historic]; heavy crown die back; stag headed; kretz suspect;

Dismantle and fell <6 months 3 men 1 day


within RPA [historic]; heavy crown die back; stag headed; kretz suspect; *snapped

hanging limb following storm ciara




Dismantle and fell. <6 months 3 men 1 day






955 Sweet Chestnut 21 M 900 20 Fair Historic root damage; major deadwood in

crown threatens caravans;Crown clean and remove

major deadwood. <2 years 2 men 1/2 day

155 Beech 22 OM 1000 20 FairGood vitality but poor form; lots of reaction

wood most likely due to shallow rooting; snapped hanging limb over caravan;

damaged further by storm Ciara.

Remove large hanging limb. Monitor. ASAP 2 men 2 hours

G1 Alder 5 EM 120 <5 PoorLocated next to wooden lodge bin area, missed on previous survey; all heavily decayedFell <6 months 2 men 1 hourEX01 Alder 10 SM 200 <1 Poor Hung up and snapped in half Fell <6 months 2 men 30 mins

163 Sycamore 13 M 350 <10 Poor Located on edge of car park; further damage since Storm Ciara Fell <6 months 3 men 1/2 day

G2 Silver Birch group 8 SM 200 <5 Poor

Located on bank and shallow rooted; altered exposure and some stems lost

following stormFell for safety <6 months 2 men 1 day

EX02 Beech 12 M 500 <10 FairLocated on bank; asymmetric crown; all peers blown over in the storm; threatens

caravan; altered exposureFell for safety <6 months 2 men 1 day

EX03 Oak 16 M 500 10+ FairLocated adjacent to picnic area; snapped hanging limb threatens road from storm

Ciara

Remove snapped hanging limb ASAP 2 men 2 hours

ROAVR EnvironmentalTree Surveys Nationwide

www.roavr-environmental.co.ukTel: 01463 223 753


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917

123

124

125

126

127

918

919

Ogwen Valley Caravan Park - Tree Safety Survey Nov 2019 - Sheet 1

Matt Harmsworth

Matt Harmsworth

Matt Harmsworth

Blew over in Storm Ciara




923

920

934

933

162161

158

157

955

155

<<Being felled asap.


Matt Harmsworth

Matt Harmsworth

G2

Matt Harmsworth

933 collapsed in storm Ciara

Matt Harmsworth

Matt Harmsworth

EX03

Matt Harmsworth

Matt Harmsworth

Matt Harmsworth

Lifted in Storm Ciara�




935

150

164

165

171

180/181

159

184/186


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Matt Harmsworth

EX02Remaining beech�




167

168

936

954

169





937

938

939

953

952

951

947

958

949

950


Matt Harmsworth

Matt Harmsworth

EX01




940941

942

943

944

945946


Matt Harmsworth

Matt Harmsworth

G1Alder clump�

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