Trees and hedges

Brent has many parks, green spaces and tree-lined streets. These features offer not only aesthetic value but many environmental, health, economic and social benefits too.

We aim to ensure Brent’s trees: contribute positively to the quality of the local environment; do not pose a risk to safety, or of damage to property; and are protected from unnecessary harm.

Trees are inspected regularly to make sure they are healthy and thriving.

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. We notify local people of major works in advance, with clear signage on the affected tree.

Our Tree Management Policy (.pdf, 771.4kB) aims to improve the understanding of tree issues and sets out how the council will fulfil its commitments, including how we:

• maintain our tree stock
• limit the felling of trees to circumstances where it is essential or advisable
• carry out reactive and emergency inspections when they are necessary
• provide clarity on the circumstances in which the Council will not intervene
• provide public information in advance of planned tree works.

Wherever possible, we will take up opportunities to seek external funding to support the planting of new trees. 

Report a tree problem

To report a problem with a tree on one of our streets, please report it online.

To report a fallen tree, call us on 020 8937 5050.

Sponsor a tree scheme

This scheme allows you to pay for a tree to be planted on the public highway. The cost is currently £400 per tree.

Please email gary.rimmer@brent.gov.uk if you want to contact us about the sponsor a tree scheme.

Complaints about trees and hedges on private property blocking public access

Homeowners are responsible for the maintenance of any tree or hedge near a public highway and we will carry out pro-active inspections and inform the owners of any hazardous overhanging foliage.

You can report dangerous overhanging branches or foliage from a tree or hedge online.

We will give notice to owners seeking their co-operation in trimming back vegetation. After the expiry of the notice, we will arrange for the works to be done and recover the cost from owners.

Enquiries about trees in private gardens

For more information on trees situated in privately owned gardens as well as providing information regarding trees protected by Tree Preservation Orders and within conservation areas, please contact the Planning Service

Looking after the grass, trees and shrubs on your estate all year round helps make your neighbourhood a nicer place to live.

Our contractor partners Veolia perform the following tasks on behalf of Brent Council around the communal areas of your estate:

• Cut grass
• Maintain hedges
• Carry our seasonal work such as clearing away leaves
• Kill off weeds.

Your Estates Inspector carries out monthly or bi-monthly inspections to ensure ground maintenance works are up to standard.

This service is not available for all converted houses with communal gardens. These areas are the responsibility of the residents occupying the property.

Tree maintenance

Brent Council provides a service to maintain trees in any communal area on our estates. In certain circumstances we can provide an individual tree maintenance service for tenants.

In cases of emergency

If you have a situation where a tree has fallen or is in danger of falling and you are concerned, please call us 020 8937 2400 or contact us during office hours Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.

If the emergency is outside of office hours please contact the emergency standby team on 020 8937 1234.

Many trees are protected, either because of a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) or because the tree is in a conservation area.

This means you will normally need our consent for work such as pruning or felling. It is a criminal offence to carry out works, or to cause or permit such works, without our prior consent. 

You could be fined up £20,000 for destroying or cutting down a protected tree, or up to £2,500 for pruning a tree without written consent.

Detailed guidance about TPOs and trees in conservation areas can be found on the GOV.UK website.

Check if a tree is protected

You can use our interactive map to see what trees are subject to a Tree Preservation Order.

If a tree is located in a conservation area, and has a stem or trunk diameter greater than 75mm when measured at 1.5 metres, you will need the council’s permission before carrying out any work.

If you are unsure if a tree is protected by an order, or whether it is in a conservation area, please contact us.

Applying to carry out work on a protected tree

You can apply to carry out work to a tree subject to a TPO or in a conservation area via the national planning portal. This is simplest way to ask for permission.

Unlike some other types of planning permission, you cannot make a retrospective application.

You can also use the 'paper form chooser' on the planning portal website to download forms as pdf documents allowing you to print them out. For information on how to complete the forms, please take some time to read the guidance notes.

You must give the council six weeks written notice prior to carrying out work to trees in a conservation area.

It is often helpful to get advice from a professional when completing the application form, and to obtain a quote for the proposed work.

You can view a directory of approved tree surgery contractors near you on the Arboricultural Association website.