Tree management
We are responsible for the efficient management of trees in authority ownership within urban and rural environments.
The law protects certain individual and groups of trees, namely those trees that:
- have tree preservations orders (TPOs)
- are within conservation areas
These trees are protected under a range of legislation that makes it an offence to carry out any work on those trees without permission from the local authority.
Trees that grow in council-owned property or on public open spaces are also protected, as they are deemed as council property. Anyone wilfully damaging these can be prosecuted.
We have our own professional tree maintenance team who carries out all appropriate tree care and maintenance to trees owned by us.
General information regarding protected trees is available to download below and the necessary application forms can be downloaded here.
Some advice for private tree owners
Always contact the local authority to ensure that the trees are not:
- protected by a TPO
- subject to planning constraints or that the tree is
- within a conservation area
General guidance can be found on our factsheet, available to download below. Our tips for tree maintenance, if you are undertaking it yourself, are:
- Always employ a suitable trained professional tree surgeon, who is covered by public liability insurance (always ask for proof)
- Never employ house callers or leaflet droppers claiming to be professional tree surgeons
- Reputable tree surgeons will always have some form of professional identification and qualification proof. Always ask to see it
- Reputable tree surgeons can be found in the Yellow Pages, or contact us for further advice