Dryad Tree Specialists has been appointed to support the Havant Thicket Reservoir Project with professional arboricultural services.
This is one of the most important water infrastructure projects in the South East. It will help improve water resilience, reduce pressure on sensitive river habitats, and create new green space for local communities.
The Client and Project
The Havant Thicket Reservoir Project is a major strategic water resource scheme led by Portsmouth Water, working with Southern Water.
The reservoir will store surplus winter water and help provide a more secure water supply for Hampshire and the wider South East. It will also support long-term environmental gains through habitat creation, species protection, woodland planting, wetland creation, and improved access to public green space.
The Challenge
The project covers a complex landscape with trees, woodland, protected habitats, watercourses, construction areas, and public access considerations.
Tree management has to be clear, careful, and well recorded. It must support construction while protecting retained trees, root protection areas, wildlife habitats, and the wider environmental mitigation strategy.
The arboricultural work must also align with planning requirements, construction programmes, and recognised industry standards.
Scope of Arboricultural Services
Dryad Tree Specialists will provide a range of arboricultural consultancy and tree risk management services for Lot 3 – Arboriculture.
- Arboricultural Impact Assessments
- BS5837:2012 tree surveys
- Tree Constraints Plans
- Arboricultural Method Statements
- Tree Protection Plans
- Arboricultural watching briefs
- Tree protection fence checks
- Supervision of works near Root Protection Areas
- Basic Tree Inspections
- Tree Hazard Assessments
- Auditable tree inspection reports and monitoring schedules
Our Approach
Dryad’s role is to give clear, practical arboricultural advice that helps the project move forward safely.
Our team will inspect trees using Visual Tree Assessment methods. This means we look for visible signs of defects, disease, decay, fungi, structural weakness, and other risks. We then assess what those signs mean in simple, practical terms.
Where construction works are close to retained trees, Dryad will help protect roots, stems, canopies, and soil structure. This may include site supervision, tree protection fence checks, advice on ground protection, and guidance during sensitive excavation.
Technical Standards
The arboricultural surveys and reports will be prepared in line with recognised industry guidance.
| Service Area | Relevant Standard or Method |
|---|---|
| Tree surveys for design and construction | BS5837:2012 Trees in relation to design, demolition and construction |
| Tree risk assessment | Visual Tree Assessment methodology |
| Construction phase supervision | Arboricultural watching brief and planning compliance requirements |
| Tree hazard reporting | Tree Hazard Assessment with mapped zones, recommendations, and monitoring schedules |
Supporting Tree Protection During Construction
Large infrastructure projects need fast decisions on site. They also need strong controls.
Dryad will provide arboricultural watching briefs during key stages of the works. This helps site teams avoid damage to retained trees and keeps tree protection measures working as intended.
This can include supervising excavation near roots, checking tree protection fencing, tagging trees for removal, advising on pruning, and supporting contractors when working in sensitive areas.
Public Safety and Environmental Value
The Havant Thicket Reservoir Project has a strong environmental purpose. It will help reduce abstraction pressure on important chalk stream habitats and create new woodland, wetland, and parkland areas.
Dryad’s arboricultural services will support this by helping manage tree safety, protect retained trees, and provide clear records for long-term site management.
This is important for public safety, planning compliance, biodiversity, and the future use of the site as a community green space.
Project Outcomes
As the contract is now starting, the focus is on strong mobilisation, clear communication, and reliable technical delivery.
Dryad Tree Specialists will support the project team with practical arboricultural advice, accurate tree surveys, clear reporting, and site-based supervision when it matters most.
- Clear tree survey data for informed decisions
- Practical tree protection advice during construction
- Support for planning and environmental compliance
- Safe management of tree risk across the site
- Long-term value for retained trees, habitats, and public spaces
Get in Touch
If your infrastructure project, estate, local authority, housing provider, or development site needs professional tree surveys, arboricultural watching briefs, tree risk management, or BS5837 consultancy, contact Dryad Tree Specialists today. Our experienced team delivers clear advice, safe working methods, and practical arboricultural support from planning through to completion.
