National Museums Northern Ireland

Clive Richardson Limited have been engaged by H&J Martin as an arboricultural specialist to provide a comprehensive service across the National Museums Northern Ireland estate. The NMNI estate covers three sites Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh; The Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, Cultra; and, The Ulster Museum, Belfast. CRL’s contract covers all arboricultural services including tree surgery and tree surveying.

As part of the contractual agreement, CRL have to carry out periodic survey reports to establish the health and condition of mature trees growing on the NMNI sites and to provide recommendations for tree works that will ensure, as far as is possible, site safety. CRL undertake surveys which identify as a minimum; species, age, height, diameter, crown spread and current condition of trees. CRL then provide the client with a full report which showing a prioritised risk matrix and recommended action plan for review and subsequent action by the Client. Recommendations within the survey reports are then subsequently undertaken by CRL under instruction from NMNI and their representatives.

Works undertaken as part of this contract involve carrying out a range of tree surgery processes identified within the tree survey reports. These works include crown cleaning, removal of ivy, trimming or removal of branch stumps, the removal of structures within the crown of the tree (including swings, tree huts, nails, signs, etc.), removal of epicormics, crown lifting, trimming trees back from buildings, clearing all branches from the path of overhead cables, reduction and removal of competing leaders, reduction of end weight, reforming crowns, topping, re-pollarding, re-coppicing, pruning, retrenchment pruning, felling and stump grinding.

Arisings from the tree surgery works are in almost all cases left onsite to form various features and environmental habitats. Where required some arisings are mulched and used onsite in landscaping works.

Most of the works undertaken are carried out to a planned programme which is formulated in conjunction with the various sites comprehensive events schedules. CRL also provide a 24/7 emergency response service across the NMNI estate, with localised teams placed on standby during times of predicted adverse weather.

During all works CRL have a duty to pay attention to the various HSEQ requirements within the sites including environmental protection considerations around nesting birds and other animals and ensure that detailed traffic and pedestrian management plans are put in place to ensure that members of the public are protected whilst the works are being undertaken.