Allotments No 12 - Trees Risks and Management Plan (TRAMP)

Most of what follows is about trees and bushes at the periphery of the allotment site. Generally one can have mixed feelings about trees on or near an allotment site. However, with careful management trees can provide a welcome and sustainable resource of fence posts, bean poles, compost bins, etc.
Positive attributes include:

• a)  their beauty,
• b)  their welcome shade on sunny days;
• c)  screening from severe wind blows, d)  the fruit or nuts they offer;
• e) the contribution to biodiversity as habitats for flora and fauna;
• f) a sustainable source of typical timbers which will be usefull for structures and supports about the allotments;
• g) may provide a natural and secure boundary marker;...etc.

Negative attributes include:   

• a)  invasive root systems sucking water and nutrients from allotments' soils,
• b)  falling branch causing injury or death to allotmenteers, visitors, trespassers and neighbours.
• c)  the shadowing of an allotment's growing plants;
• d)  boundary overhangs to highways or neighbours' lands - perhaps enabling unauthorised access;
• e) root damage to boundary walls and fences, neighbours' buildings..etc; 

All of this suggests that the "mangement committee"/local authority landlord, etc might devise a "trees risks and management plan" (TRAMP).

The following pointers are merely suggestions of possible example inclusions:

• statutory risks may include: a) tree preservation orders, b) "important hedgerows", ie historic hedgerows, c) anti-social "high hedgerows"; d) ancient trees, e) trees in a conservation area;
• management standards include:  British Standard BS 5837 re tree assessment;
• undertake an initial risk assessment of the growing trees and any plans to plant trees, and report findings;
• plan to make the trees more manageable, eg where possible plant or adapt trees for future coppicing or pollarding;
• annually inspect and report on all trees but particularly mature trees for damage or disease, eg as evidenced by broken hanging or dying branches;
• inspect and report on all trees after severe storms, incidences of lightning and heavy frost or snowfalls;
• from the reports; a)  organise emergency works if needed, and  b) devise a regular maintenance schedule of lopping and pruning etc;
• plan to use the gleaned dropped branches as logs, poles and brush logs - use as: a)  fence posts, b) bean poles; c) plant support stakes; and d) pea plant supports;
• create from the timbers some storage bunkers or bins for the fall of leaves - so as to create leaf mould and keep the site tidy;
• make and install nesting boxes to increase the bird population;
• restrict the number of trees and their height and nearness to the edge of the plot, ie of fruit and nut trees on the allotment plots - so as not to allow the development of root and branch systems which will trespass over a neighbour's plot;
• report to the appropriate authorities evidence of notifiable or "new" diseases affecting trees on or near the site;
• planting suitable bushes ot trees at the boundary may add to biodiversity and security (if they have thorns, etc);
• waste timber and/or brush might be recycled on site (or to the local centre) for energy generation or ash (incineration) or composting as a soil conditioner;
• review the site insurance policy for public liability;
• establish a grounds management group to do the work under the TRAMP;
• .... etc.