Tree Management Policy
Ensuring the health and safety of council-owned trees in the
borough is an important part of our environmental service.
The tree management procedures in this leaflet are included in
the council’s Arboricultural Services Contract, and provide the
framework for the works undertaken.
Find out more on our Planting Trees webpage.
Recycling of Tree Waste
The council’s appointed arboricultural contractors recycle all
the wood produced from work undertaken on council-owned trees. The
wood is used for compost/mulch, wood chips for biomass fuel and
firewood. None is wasted or taken to landfill sites.
All works carried out on council-owned trees are undertaken by
approved contractors on our behalf.
The council is not able to recommend contractors for private
works, but can supply a leaflet entitled ‘Choosing your
arborist’.
Works are guided by British Standard 3998 ‘Recommendations for
Tree Work’ and with due regard for health and safety legislation as
defined in the council’s Arboricultural Services Contract. Works
must comply with relevant wildlife and planning legislation, which
sometimes causes a delay. When roads and buildings are involved the
advice of Structural and Highways Engineers and Planning Officers
is usually required.
Works not Undertaken
We will not usually undertake works where the benefit to an
individual is outweighed by the detriment to the wider
community.
The following items are not generally considered good reasons
for undertaking works on trees:
- Pollen, fallen leaves, fruits and seeds
- Squirrels, bird roosts and droppings
- Insects such as aphids causing sticky residue on cars and
driveways (honeydew)
- Any works that may contravene wildlife legislation
- Loss of view
- Television reception either by aerial or satellite dish.
Installation engineers should consider trees and their likely
growth before installing equipment.
- Lopping and topping – this is the severe cutting back of large
limbs, which is now recognised as bad arboricultural practice. It
results in a disfigured tree which is susceptible to disease and
decay.
Tree Management Policy Leaflet 498Kb
PDF
This webpage was updated on
5/6/2008