Tree Contractors and Consultants

It is important to ensure that any tree works are carried out by a qualified and competent tree surgeon in accordance with the relevant British Standard Specification (BS 3998: 1989). Before employing a tree surgeon, always ask to see his/her current certificate of insurance to ensure they are covered against third party claims and other risks.

Tree surgeons are also a valuable source of independent advice on tree-related matters. A list of local contractors can be obtained from the Arboricultural Association website or by writing to them at Ampfield, Romsey, Hants, SO51 9PA or telephone 01794 368717.

Tree Management Operations

Below are some of the tree procedures undertaken by us.

Tree Felling

It is not the council’s policy to fell healthy trees.

Trees may be cut down by felling directly onto the ground, or by being lowered down in sections. The decision to fell a council tree can only be made by the council’s tree officers.

Trees can be felled:

• Where grounds of safety are overriding
• Where trees are dead, dangerous or diseased
• To follow good tree management practice and promote healthy trees
• Where buildings, roads and paths are being damaged and root pruning would be ineffective
• Where the tree would prevent development of an approved planning application
• Where appropriate a replacement tree of a suitable species will be planted as near as possible to the original site.

Crown Lifting

Removal of branches below a specified height.

This is very often done to allow pedestrian or vehicle access on paths and roads. Normally a tree by a path will have its branches removed up to a height of three metres and a tree beside a road to six metres.

Crown Reduction

Reduction of overall height and/or spread of the tree.

This is normally done where a tree is touching a building, street light, CCTV camera, telephone or power cable. Where frequent reductions are required it may be preferable to remove a tree. Where trees cause overshadowing a crown reduction may be used but only where it severely affects quality of life.

Council-owned trees overhanging neighbouring properties will only be pruned if there is a significant health and safety issue. Overhanging trees may be pruned back to boundaries by property owners after checking with the council’s planning department that the tree is not protected.

There is no right to trespass on adjoining land while cutting back overhanging branches. Branches may be disposed of at the local recycling waste site.

Crown Thinning

Removing a percentage of the smaller branches from within the crown, leaving a canopy of foliage on a well-structured framework of branches.

This is usually undertaken on broad-leaved trees. It is often combined with a crown lift to allow more light to pass through the tree, or where the density of the crown causes increased wind resistance.

Pollarding

Cutting a tree back to the same point, known as pollard heads, at regular intervals.

Pollarding has traditionally been used to produce small diameter wood products for areas with grazing animals.

This technique is mainly used for broad-leaved trees such as hornbeam, lime, willow, oak and London plane. Trees that have not been managed as pollards from a young age will not normally be considered for this type of work as it is detrimental to the health of the tree.

Pollarding is often used for maintaining street trees that would otherwise outgrow their location.

Crown Cleaning and Dead Wooding

The removal of ivy, broken branches and dead, diseased and dying wood.

Used to allow visual tree inspections and to manage the risk of wood falling from the tree. When appropriate, some dead wood may be left to provide wildlife habitat.

Coppicing

The regular cutting of woody stems to near ground level to encourage the development of multiple stems.

This is normally done on a cycle of five to 15 years. Species that can managed in this way include hazel, alder, sweet chestnut, hornbeam and willow.

Traditionally used for small diameter wood products but is now widely used for wildlife conservation. Where Hazel and Willow are planted as shelter belts or amenity planting schemes they may be managed in this way.

Root Pruning

Where a tree root is removed to prevent direct root damage.

It is used where a root may be damaging footpaths, highways, walls, buildings and underground services. If root removal may affect the tree’s stability or health, tree felling may be the only option.

Quick Reference Table