About Us Mission Statement Urban Forestry was established by Shane A Lanigan in 1979 following a period of employment within the arboricultural industry which began in Summer 1971. The aim of this company is to provide tree management services which cause as little harm to the tree population and associated environment as possible. In furtherance of this aim I operate the company as a compact and professional operation with myself and two additional formally qualified arborists. I am personally present on almost all jobs sites.
The provision of high quality and technically correct tree services to both private and commercial clients.
Urban Forestry undertakes to operate within the law and in an ethical fashion. Compliance with statutory legislation governing tree work operations is guaranteed. Health and Safety Legislation is complied with in all respects as it applies to both our direct operations and also operation of vehicle and plant used in the execution of these works. All operations are undertaken in such a way as to be as minimally damaging to the environment as possible, particularly in respect of disposal of arisings. Material arising from Urban Forestry operations is transported to and stored at our wholly owned premises, The Old Pump Station, East Lane, Abbots Langley. This site enjoys the benefit of planning consent for these operations and is registered with the Environment Agency for the storage woodchip. Heavier timber is processed into firewood which is considered to be a sustainable use.
Safety At Urban Forestry we recognise that tree work is an inherently dangerous operation. Therefore we ensure that all employees are fully trained and qualified to carry out their assigned tasks. At Urban Forestry we are pleased with our 35 year record of no H.S.E. warnings or prosecutions in respect of Health & Safety and also Environmental matters.
Employee involvement is positively encouraged in matters of safety by way of regular meetings and 'TailgateTalks'.
Our ongoing safety programme involves:
'Van Packs' held within each vehicle detailing staff qualifications and insurance, vehicle papers, work procedure requirements Weekly and occasional daily 'tailgate talks' Industry skills training courses for employees Environmental As operators of a company that deals with the environment on a close and daily basis the partners are extremely aware of our potential detriment to the environment. We strive to mitigate these effects by:
i) not recommending excessive pruning works or unnecessary tree removals ii) recycling as high a percentage of arisings occasioned by our works as possible iii) utilising modern fuel efficient vehicles and machinery iv) auditing our complete company operations from office through to waste disposal in order to ensure that unwelcome impacts are reduced as far as possible v) ensuring re-use of used paper, ink cartridges, etc from office procedures
In respect of the above we have prepared a comprehensive Environment Statement which is available for inspection at our office to both our employees and current and potential clients.
Arborist Associations Urban Forestry is a professional company and to assist us in keeping abreast of contemporary developments in arboricultural we are members of the:
A.A. - Arboricultural Association (www.trees.org.uk ) A.S.C.A. - American Society of Consulting Arborists (www.asca-consultants.org) C.A.S. - Consulting Arborist Society (www,consultingarboristsociety.com) I.C.F. - Institute of Chartered Foresters (www.charteredforesters.org.uk) I.S.A. - International Society of Arboriculture (www.isa-arbor.com )The Royal Forestry Society ( www.rfs.org.uk ) The Woodland Trust (www.woodlandtrust.org.uk )
In addition the senior partner S.A. Lanigan is an I.S.A. Certified Arborist, As an ISA Certified Arborist also holding the Municipal Arborist Accreditation of that professional body in addition to being recognised and accredited as a Board Certified Master Arborist. I also hold the Royal Forestry Societies Professional Diploma in Arboriculture which is currently recognised as the gold standard in arboriculture qualifications. Shane is also a Chartered Arboriculturist and ASCA Registered Consulting Arborist.
Whilst local authorities do not recommend contractors to clients we are, as a company included on the lists of contractors held by various Local Authorities and do have good working relationships with all our local councils.
To enhance our customer care, environmental and health and safety policies we operate:
We endeavour to operate in compliance with the recommendations of BS 3998 (2010) Statutory Controls Many trees are the subject of statutory controls which prohibit any works without prior consent of or notification to the appropriate local authority. Such controls are an essential measure that assist in the retention of the United Kingdom's increasingly threatened tree population. Legislation appertaining to tree controls is found within the Town & Country Planning Act 1990 and the Town & Country Planning (Trees) Regulations 1999. The Act must be read in conjunction with the Planning & Compensation Act 1991 as this amended some Tree Preservation Order provisions and added four new sections.
Principle Tree Work Control Legislation :-
Tree Preservation Orders Section 198-202 Conservation Areas Section 211-214 The Hedgerow Regulations 1997 Felling Licences Faculty Jurisdiction As part of our client service Urban Forestry will, upon instruction to proceed with works liaise with Local Planning Authorities in order to obtain relevant consent for the works.
Consultancy Arboriculture is a complex area of operation both practically and theoretically. Liability for trees and tree related damage can be a very grey area. The implications for a client who has reviewed poor or unqualified advice are wide ranging and could, in extremis, lead to prosecution and financial penalty.
In respect of arboricultural consultancy I practice as a consultant within my associated practice Abbots Arboricultural Advice Ltd. I have qualifications and experience in arboriculture in both the United Kingdom and the United States of America sphere of operations. My associated website for Abbots Arboricultural Advice Ltd may be found at www.abbotsarboricultualadvice.com.
QualificationsOur company policy is
to encourage and promote further arboricultural education in staff, partners
and our workforce. To this end I have, as senior partner, resisted the
temptation to expand to the extent that I would no longer work 'on the tools',
but would become an admin manager relying on employees to carry out works
assessed by myself. Urban Forestry contemporary professional details are
as follows:
S.A. Lanigan - City
& Guilds in Tree Surgery, Royal Forestry Society Professional Diploma in
Arboriculture, International Society of Arboriculture. Board Certified
Master Arborist, with Municipal Specialist Accreditation. Institute of Chartered Foresters Chartered Arboriculturist, American Society of Consulting Arborists Registered Consulting Arborist.
I am a professional
member of the Royal Forestry Society, the Arboricultural Association, the
Consulting Arborist Society and American Society of Consulting Arborists.
As
a practising arborist with 43 years industry experience I believe passionately
in education. To this end I have achieved the highest level of arboricultural
qualifications in both the United Kingdom and the United States of America and
strive constantly to further my arboricultural knowledge. Any staff are
encouraged and supported in their further education.