Disaster Named “Czech National Arboricultural Standards”
Disaster Named “Czech National
Arboricultural Standards”
Politicization of Professional Standards
– A Risk for Arboriculture
The field of tree care (arboriculture) is a
relatively narrow specialization followed by only a small group of interested
experts. However, when this purely practical and professional topic enters
broader societal debate, there’s a genuine risk that politicians—and at worst,
state officials—begin to take notice. This often leads to politicization of an
issue that should remain purely professional and pragmatic. Unfortunately, the
Czech National Standards (Standards of Nature and Landscape Care - SPPK) serve
as a prime example of how state intervention can damage what began as a
well-intentioned professional initiative.
SPPK was conceived as recommended practices
establishing output parameters and technical descriptions for activities in
nature and landscape care. Published by the state Nature Conservation Agency of
the Czech Republic (AOPK ČR), in collaboration with selected academic
institutions and other expert authorities, the original concept was
commendable—unifying terminology and practices across the field, improving
practice quality, and ensuring clarity among designers, contractors, investors,
and authorities. Had the standards remained strictly professional, they could
have significantly benefited both trees and arborists.
Promising Beginnings of SPPK (2011–2016)
When I approached AOPK ČR in 2011 with a
project for developing sector-specific standards, I naively believed that
anchoring these standards within a state agency would lead to rapid practical
implementation and wide adoption, particularly among landowners and those
responsible for trees. Initially, this appeared promising. By 2016, the first
twelve arboricultural standards (series A) had been created, quickly becoming
the basis for pricing guides, specialized software for tree assessments, and
educational programs ranging from certification courses to academia. For
instance, AOPK ČR incorporated newly defined pruning methods into its official
price lists for typical interventions, standardizing terminology nationwide.
Importantly, the initial development of
these standards was transparent and open. Coordination was provided by an
academic institution (the Arboricultural Laboratory at MENDELU at the time),
and any representative interested in specific issues could join the development
committee. Practically, experts of various perspectives gathered at the same
table, refining terminology and clarifying priorities. These first published
standards were positively received by public administration, the business
sector, and professional associations. Arboriculture in the Czech Republic
finally seemed to have clear and universally supported quality practices.
State Intervention and Expert Selection
However, this idyllic situation did not
last long. Around 2016, the state directly intervened—AOPK ČR took over
coordination, appointing a civil servant to lead the process. The consequences
quickly followed: members not aligning with the new leader’s personal
preferences were promptly excluded. Ironically, the current standards
development team lacks representatives from major arboricultural education and
certification institutions in the Czech Republic.
Even more serious were subsequent content
changes. Standards that had successfully guided practice for nearly a decade
began to undergo “innovation.” While occasional updates are legitimate due to
evolving knowledge and technology, the manner and extent of these changes
became problematic.
Consistency and Compatibility:
Principles Ignored in Innovations
Updating professional standards must
preserve certain boundaries and protocols. At least two key principles should
be respected:
- Consistency: Established rules and
principles codified after extensive agreement should not change merely
because new team members have “their own opinion.” Established and
practically verified rules cannot be arbitrarily rewritten—this has
far-reaching consequences. Arboricultural practices solidified over the
past decade cannot suddenly be annulled due to the whims of officials who
might not fully comprehend the practical implications for arborists.
- Compatibility: Standards must
represent a set of high-quality practice principles based on current
knowledge and international experiences. The arboricultural community is
international, sharing best practices across countries. Currently, the
best expression of international expertise is the European Arboricultural
Standards, developed by the European Arboricultural Council (EAC) with
participation from numerous countries. These standards, funded by the EU
since 2019, aim to produce unified technical standards by 2025 and are now
gradually implemented in over 30 countries, viewed as authoritative in the
field.
Unfortunately, recent SPPK developments
have entirely disregarded these principles. Innovations proceeded without
respect for rule continuity or alignment with internationally recognized
practices.
Controversial Changes in SPPK Standards
(Examples)
Key problematic changes include:
- Redefinition of core tree pruning definitions (SPPK A02 002):
Updated versions altered fundamental technical categories, causing
incompatibility with past projects. Millions of trees assessed or pruned
between 2012–2024 would be incompatible with new definitions from 2025
onwards, causing chaos in practice.
- Legalizing deliberate damage to valuable trees (SPPK E02 005):
Czech standards now permit intentional tree damage (“veteranization”),
even for highly valuable or monumental trees, a practice internationally
considered experimental and never codified as routine.
- Tolerance of poor-quality planting material (SPPK A02 001 and
A02 002): Updated standards legitimize planting technologically flawed
nursery stock, suggesting post-planting severe crown reduction, contrary
to European standards advocating for quality initial material without
drastic post-planting interventions.
Practical Implications: Arborists
between State Hammer and Anvil
Due to this unfortunate politicization, the
Czech Republic is increasingly isolated from mainstream professional
arboriculture. Professionals now face an unpleasant dilemma:
- Conformity vs. Expertise: Either
comply with state-approved yet problematic standards, ignoring current
scientific insights and international best practices, or follow modern
research privately while outwardly adhering to flawed standards to avoid
bureaucratic repercussions.
This predicament places arborists in a
challenging position—forced to practice professionally either covertly or
compromise openly. Many tree owners, including major municipalities, who
previously developed management plans based on the earlier standards, now face
impossible expectations to update their practices according to incompatible new
guidelines. This undermines the authority of the updated SPPK and creates
confusion.
Let’s Not Be Discouraged: Lessons and
Future Outlook
Despite painting a grim picture, I hope
this isn’t seen as an ultimate defeat. History shows that professional
correctness eventually prevails, albeit sometimes against state resistance.
Around 2000, the same state agency recommended now-discredited practices, which
professionals gradually abandoned despite official guidelines. Eventually, even
authorities adapted to new insights.
Similarly, the Czech Republic will
inevitably return to internationally recognized and proven practices, driven by
the widespread acceptance of the European Arboricultural Standards. Hopefully,
minimal damage occurs in the meantime.
Finally, a personal note and lesson: I
apologize to the arboricultural community for my previous naivety in placing
SPPK in state hands. This experience taught me that good intentions must be
safeguarded carefully from political influences. I share this story
particularly as a warning to colleagues in other countries currently
implementing European standards: be cautious and avoid entrusting your
developing standards entirely to state agencies. Official acceptance is
sufficient—direct regulation can often cause more harm than good.
(The author is an experienced arborist who
initiated the SPPK project and continues active professional and educational
work in the field.)
資料來源:
Jaroslav Kolarik
Arborista konzultant ve společnosti Safe
Trees, s.r.o.
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