Tree Transplantation Decision & Survey Register

Field screening for highway / infrastructure projects: retain where possible, assess transplantation, and document possible felling candidates and replacement planting.

Important: This is a preliminary screening tool, not an arborist's certificate, survival prediction, or statutory permission. First examine design alternatives to retain trees in place. Heritage/protected status, safety, permits and local jurisdiction must be checked. Final decisions require qualified arboriculture/forestry review and competent authority approval.

1. Project settings

Project / road name

Location / chainage / village

Surveyor / team

Survey date

Planning replacement multiplier (trees per potential felling)

Monitoring period (years)

Authority / NOC reference

Project notes

Multiplier is a budgeting assumption only, not a universal legal rule. Use the actual written permission and applicable law to determine compensatory planting.

2. Add field observation

Tree ID / tag number *

Chainage / GPS / location

Common / local name *

Botanical name (if known)

Girth at 1.3 m (cm)

DBH at 1.3 m (cm), if measured

Approx. height (m)

Crown spread (m)

Estimated age (years)

Overall healthGood / vigorousFair / stressedPoor / severe declineDead / dyingUnknown

Root system (observed / suspected)Unknown / not exposedFibrous / relatively compactStrong taproot / deep rootingWide-spreading structural rootsLarge buttress / woody surface rootsConstrained / damaged root zone

Handling size classSmall / manageableMediumLargeVery large / mature

Lifting / transport accessGoodLimited / utilities / narrow corridorPoor / unsafe accessNot assessed

Receiving siteAvailable and checkedPossible, not confirmedNo suitable site identifiedNot assessed

Project conflictCan retain in place / avoidMinor conflict; mitigation possibleMajor unavoidable conflictNeeds design review

Native / locally appropriate?Yes / likely appropriateUnsuitable / invasive concernUnknown

Heritage / protected / special statusNo known status (verify)Yes / suspectedUnknown — verify

Visual observations (select all that apply)

Dead branches / dieback Hollow / cavity / decay Major lean / unstable root plate Cracks / split trunk / weak unions Pest / disease symptoms Root damage / utilities Nesting / habitat / cultural value No major visible defect

Soil, drainage, receiving-site and water notes

Field notes / photo references / mitigation

Measure girth at about 1.3 m above ground where practicable. DBH is diameter, not circumference. Do not infer root type from species name alone if field evidence is absent.

3. Summary

0Trees surveyed

0Retain / redesign

0Potential transplant

0Expert review

0Potential felling

Provisional replacement planting estimate: 0 trees.

Potential felling is a screening result only—not authority to fell. It means feasibility appears low under the entered assumptions and needs alternatives review, expert recommendation and statutory approval.

4. Tree-by-tree register and reports

Import JSON

ID / Location	Species	Measurements	Screening outcome	Reasons / follow-up	Action
No trees entered yet.

5. Decision logic and technical cautions

Decision order

1. Retain in place first: test alignment, widening, utility and construction alternatives.
2. Assess health, root architecture, size, access, root-ball feasibility and receiving-site suitability.
3. Refer uncertain, heritage/protected, structurally defective or large mature trees for expert review.
4. Only consider felling after alternatives are documented and competent authority grants permission.

Interpretation

Retain / avoid In-situ retention should be prioritised.

Potential transplant Candidate for expert assessment and method statement.

Expert review Uncertainty or conflicting observations.

Potential felling Low screening suitability; approvals still required.

Rule-based screening only; no numerical survival probability is claimed.

Research references

• ICFRE / Forest Research Institute — Tree Translocation in India: pre-treatment, species/health assessment, root ball, pruning and receptor site.
• Maharashtra (Urban Areas) Protection and Preservation of Trees Act, 1975 — Section 8 reference: verify current amendments, jurisdiction and written permission conditions.
• CPCB report hosted by NGT: site assessment, timing, tree selection, root preparation and documentation.

Use qualified arboriculture/forestry experts and confirm all legal requirements before implementation. Save a JSON backup regularly; local browser storage can be cleared by the user or browser.

Yogendra Gopal Borse

Civil Engineer | Assistant Engineer Grade-I, Maharashtra PWD

B.Tech (Civil) from VJTI Mumbai. Experienced in bridge design, road works, estimation, project monitoring and digital engineering tools. Creator of YogiPWD – practical technical resources for civil engineers.

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