Trees owned by the Council are managed by the Client Services Team whether they are in urban or rural areas. The Council looks after many trees in parks and public open spaces and undertakes an annual programme of management and planting work.
The law protects certain individual and groups of trees. Those trees that have Tree Preservations Orders (TPO's) or are within Conservation Areas are protected by planning legislation that makes it an offence to carry out any work on those trees without permission from the Local Authority Planning Department.
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.
Some advice for private tree owners
- Always contact the Local Authority to ensure that the trees are not protected by a Tree Protection Order, planning constraints or that the tree is within a Conservation area.
- Always employ a suitable trained professional Tree Surgeon, who is covered by Public Liability Insurance. (Always ask for proof).
- Be careful about employing 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.
For further information:
