It’s December 18th, and I’m in Hertingfordbury. Not dangling from a tree or wielding a chainsaw, but stuck at my desk… producing an Arboricultural Impact Report. Glamorous, I know. The job? Making sure the gorgeous trees near a planned construction site survive the chaos of builders with big machines and even bigger egos.
I had my laptop, a tablet, and my trusty GPS receiver. Oh, and OTISS software, which sounds fancy but basically just lets me point at a map and say, “Yep, there’s a tree there.” Every tree gets recorded, plotted, and assessed. No pressure… just the future of these trees depending on my ability to not mess up a spreadsheet.
Precision, Protection, and Plenty of Coffee
It was one of those “head down, coffee-fuelled” kind of days. The deadline was looming, and while I love the hands-on tree work, there’s something deeply satisfying about getting this part right. The trees don’t care if I’m outdoors or indoors—they just need protecting, and that’s what this work is all about.
The process itself? Careful and deliberate. Every root, branch, and canopy had to be accounted for. Those trees have stood tall for decades, providing shade, beauty, and probably sheltering the odd squirrel. My job is to make sure they’re still standing once the builders pack up and head home. No bulldozers taking shortcuts on my watch.
By the afternoon, I was making progress. The coffee had kicked in, and the report was shaping up nicely. The site map was full of lines, circles, and labels—tree hieroglyphics, if you like. It might not look thrilling to everyone, but this is the groundwork that keeps ancient oaks from becoming kindling.
The day wasn’t without its lessons. First, coffee is a lifesaver. Second, laptops have a knack for freezing at the worst possible time (classic). And third, even when the work is quiet, it’s vital. Trees don’t ask for much—a bit of sun, some rain, and not being flattened by a digger. Seems fair, right?
So that was my day in Hertingfordbury. Not swinging from branches, but ensuring those branches stay safe for decades to come. The report is done, the trees are protected, and I’m off to celebrate with another coffee. Maybe two.
Protect Your Trees with a Professional Survey
If you’ve got trees near a construction site or just want to ensure they’re healthy and protected, we’re here to help. Book a tree survey with Green Canopy today and let us do the hard work!
