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Trees on the public highway

We are responsible for maintaining approximately 18,000 trees on the public highway. These trees are inspected regularly and are proactively maintained. Major works where our contractors use climbing equipment are performed on a cyclical basis. The cycles vary from two years upwards depending on factors such as type of tree and distance from houses. Minor work such as the removal of shoots from the base of the tree is done every year across the entire borough.

 

We will:

 

  • maintain all trees on the public highway in a safe and health condition
  • not remove established trees on the public highway unless they are dead, diseased or dangerous or there are other issues such as access to pavements and roads
  • keep trees unless there are good arboricultural, environmental, or risk-related reasons not to do so.

 

Individual land or house owners are responsible for maintaining any trees, hedges or shrubs which overhang a public highway from their own property.

 

We inspect any dangerous overhanging foliage and give written notice to owners, asking them to trim it back. We can also arrange for the work to be carried out, and charge owners for the work on completion.

 

Tree enquiries

 

Please contact us to make an enquiry tree on the public highway. Give an accurate location if your enquiry is about a specific tree. For example 'tree outside Brent House, 349-357 High Road, HA9 6BX'.

 

Our tree management policy (.doc, 53Kb) states certain actions we will not take. We will not, for example, attempt to remove or disturb birds or prevent leaves from falling in the autumn.

 

Requests for tree planting

 

If you want a tree planted on your street please contact us with your request. We will plant as many trees each winter as our budget allows. We regard tree planting as a long term investment not short term expediency so any requests unfulfilled one winter will be considered the following year.

 

Sponsor a tree scheme

 

This scheme allows you to pay for a tree to be planted on the public highway. The cost is currently £250 per tree. Please contact us if you want to discuss the scheme in more detail.