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UPM Tilhill to survey the trees of Goodwood Estate

The Goodwood Estate has contracted the services of UPM Tilhill, the UK’s leading forestry and landscaping company, to carry out a comprehensive tree safety inspection.

UPM Tilhill has begun work to inspect all of the Estate’s trees situated within falling distance of public areas, and to tag and record defective trees. The audit, which is expected to be completed by December 2008, will equip the Estate with information to programme remedial works prioritising the more urgent trees.

UPM Tilhill’s Lantra qualified surveyors will now map, review and record the location, adjacent site features and condition of each tree – giving targeted information and listing potential target areas for future action. Surveys are carried out using hand-held computers which utilise software to plot the exact location of trees onto a GIS map, making for efficient data capture and analysis.

“We are delighted to be carrying out this tree survey on a landscape celebrated across the world for its natural and historic beauty. Landowners are becoming increasingly aware that they have responsibilities, a duty of care, to keep users of their land and on neighbouring properties, public highways and rights of way, safe from harm,” said Dai Lewis, South East England District Manager, UPM Tilhill.

“We have a responsibility to the thousands of visitors who come to Goodwood each year, to ensure these beautiful grounds and woodland landscapes are safe and that they continue to flourish,” said David Laker, Goodwood Estate Forestry Manager. “Step one in achieving this is to ensure that our tree stock is mapped, audited and any potential hazards dealt with promptly. UPM Tilhill’s expertise and experience in delivering sound and comprehensive audits for other estates in the region made them a first choice to fulfil this contract.”

The 4,500 hectare Goodwood Estate within the Sussex Downs has become a major sport and leisure venue which sees over 500,000 visitors through its gates every year. Home of the ‘Glorious Goodwood’ flat racing festival and the ‘Goodwood Festival of Speed’, the Estate also comprises The Goodwood Park Hotel, Golf At Goodwood and clubhouse The Kennels, Goodwood Motor Circuit and Aerodrome. Goodwood House, the seat of the Dukes of Richmond, presides in the grounds which also comprise an extensive public rights of way network, two country parks and a nature trail.

UPM Tilhill launched its tree survey service in 2007 to enable individuals, businesses and organisations to gain direct access to professional, arboricultural advice. To talk to UPM Tilhill about tree survey and inspection services, call 0800 328 2128 or visit www.upm-tilhill.com

ENDS


For further information please contact:
Ruth Roy
01892 861008/07771 940494
ruth.roy@upm-kymmene.com


UPM Tilhill is the UK's leading landscaping, arboriculture and environmental works company. The company provides a full range of consultancy and contracting services to civil engineers, developers, landscape architects and local authorities as well as landowners. The company is a member of BALI and is registered with Construction Line, Achilles and Link-up, and has a CSCS Gold Standard Certificate.