KaarbonTech and Kew Gardens team up to improve tree management

KaarbonTech is excited to be cultivating the success of tree management, working in partnership with Kew Gardens.  

Kew uses a TRAQ report – Tree Risk Assessment Qualification – a global industry standard for best practice management methodologies when risk assessing trees. Working together to identify improvements, KaarbonTech and Kew Gardens have taken a fresh look at how they currently risk assess their tree stock, and how they store those records.  

It’s essential that any process undergoes regular scrutiny and review, looking for efficiencies and identifying improvements. KaarbonTech and Kew looked at TRAQ and how the tree stock was currently risk assessed; the frequency and then the resulting care programme. Although the process was driven by risk, they identified that the key to this process was the consistency of recording the risk score, and they sought to simplify and improve the risk element. 

With software designed to collect data and produce risk scores and proactive programmes, KaarbonTech was perfectly placed to help Kew quickly and efficiently solve its consistency issue. Polygon areas were drawn within their Tree SMART software across their two sites to define the exact locations in question, and then all tree data was recorded within the software, including information on branches, trunks, and general health. Arborists were able to risk assess individual parts of the tree, simply by using a menu within the software, and then score the tree, using their well-known TRAQ method of calculation. KaarbonTech also created a new default ‘botanical’ species list with about 3,000 different species, helpful for defining and identifying the assessed trees. 

This enhanced method of recording helpful details about individual trees, alongside the TRAQ method, has vastly improved Kew’s overall understanding of their tree collection. This means they can clearly see the risk associated with each tree and plan a care and maintenance programme for each tree’s needs.  

KaarbonTech has seen the value that Kew is gaining from using this software, which offers identical benefits for the management and maintenance of highway trees. This approach to tree management will allow local authorities a more in-depth, accurate insight into the health and status of their trees, enabling them to collect and store precise data from which to make informed and quick decisions.