Tree work we will and won't carry out
We may carry out work to:
- Remove a tree that is dead, dying or diseased. If we remove a tree, we may leave the stump in place because of budget limitations.
- Remove or prune branches that present a safety risk
- Protect the safety of roads and pavements
- Raise or thin the crown of a tree to protect its health or manage a safety risk
We will not normally carry out work because a tree:
- Drops leaves, seeds, nuts, berries or blossom onto private property, driveways or gutters
- Leaves sticky residue on cars, fences or other property
- Attracts birds or other wildlife
- Produces pollen that affects allergies
- Affects television or satellite reception
- Shades solar panels
- Affects a view
- Blocks sunlight, unless there is a specific legal requirement for us to act
- Prevents someone from creating off-road parking
- Is considered too tall or is leaning slightly, but an inspection finds no safety problem
- Has birds nesting in it. It is against the law to intentionally injure or kill a wild bird or damage its nest. However, we may carry out urgent work if a tree presents an immediate safety risk and we have a legal duty to act.
Reducing the height of trees
We do not routinely reduce the height of trees we manage by crown reduction, lopping, topping or pollarding.
This type of work can:
- Cause extensive regrowth
- Increase future inspection and maintenance requirements
- Create a greater risk of branches failing
- Make the tree more vulnerable to disease and decay
We will only consider this work where an inspection shows that it is necessary.