Tree identification

Tree identification

Speaker – Philp Santo

Philip Santo is a Fellow of RICS with over 35 years experience as a residential surveyor and valuer. He has acted as a consultant for RICS, representing RICS on the Council of Mortgage Lenders Valuation Panel and undertaking a range of project work within the Residential Professional Group. Philip contributed to the major review of the Red Book Mortgage Valuation Practice Standard in 2011, the Guidance Note on the Valuation of New-build Residential Homes and Information Papers including Comparable Evidence in Property Valuation and Automated Valuation Models.

During 2012 Philip led the cross-industry working group which produced the RICS Information Paper on Japanese Knotweed and Residential Property and helped to facilitate the establishment of the Invasive Weeds Control Group under the auspices of the Property Care Association (PCA).

Most people take for granted that trees are an important part of our residential environment while, as professionals, we recognise that they can influence values and physically impact on structures. But do we appreciate them as distinct individuals? There are three good reasons why we should:

1. Clients should be advised appropriately about implications for prospective ownership;
2. The courts expect us to be able to identify certain species which may pose a risk to buildings;
3. There is a simple pleasure in being better informed about our natural surroundings!

Using numerous illustrations, this session will explain how to easily identify some of the most common species of trees, with a focus on those which pose a particular risk to buildings. It will also explain why February is an ideal time of year to start improving skills at tree identification.