We're responsible for maintaining and inspecting council owned trees in:

  • Streets
  • Parks and open spaces
  • Cemeteries

We inspect our trees periodically, to make sure they're safe and in a healthy condition. Our programme for inspections varies according to the age of the trees, the condition, the location and species. We pollard London plane trees on a three year rolling programme, and we don't pollard all of these which are reported to us.

Sometimes we remove trees to redevelop an area, or clear parts of our parks and woodland to make way for new species.

Trees on private land

Trees in gardens or on other private land are the responsibility of the owner. If a tree in a neighbouring property is causing you problems, you should take it up with the owner.

Branches overhanging your property

You have a right to prune any overhanging branches from council or privately owned trees back to the boundary of your property, unless it's a protected tree or you live in a conservation area (see below).

You're responsible for disposing of the pruning waste properly, either in your green garden waste bin or at a household waste recycling centre.

Tree Preservation Orders and conservation areas

We have a duty to protect some trees and woodland in certain areas. You need our permission to remove or prune a tree if it's a protected tree, or you live in a conservation area.

If you've applied for planning permission and are intending to remove any trees as part of the project, you'll need to check with us first to find out if they're protected.

You can find out more on our Tree Preservation Orders webpage.

 

Report a tree problem

You can use our online form to report a problem with a council owned tree in a street, park or open space, such as:

  • Damage to your property from a tree.
  • Trees blocking street lights or signs.

We don't deal with reports about:

  • Falling leaves or debris, such as fruit, aphids or honeydew.
  • Branches overhanging your land.
  • Trees touching overhead wires (contact Openreach).
  • Poor TV reception (you should think about how any nearby trees may grow when you're putting up your aerial or satellite dish).
  • Trees blocking light into your home or garden
Report a problem with a tree

Report a fallen tree or branch

Call 999 if a fallen tree or branch may be a potential risk to someone's safety. You should also call 999 if a vehicle's collided with a tree and people have been injured.

Call our 24-hour emergency helpline on (01226) 773555 if a fallen tree or branch is causing a dangerous obstruction on a road or pavement.

Use our report a problem with a tree form to report a fallen tree or branch that isn't an emergency.

What we'll do

We'll always check trees to avoid disturbing nesting birds before starting any work between March and October.

We'll only work on certain trees with dense crowns in winter, when the nesting season ends.

Report a tree problem

Call us on (01226) 773555 or