Tree management policy

This section is about deciding what works will be done, and how they will be implemented.  It assumes that the Council has already decided that something is necessary, according to the reasons set out in Section 6.0 and Section 7.0.

8.1 What are tree works?

Any works that are done to comply with this Policy are defined as ‘tree works’ and covered by this section.

For the purposes of this section, the term ‘tree works’ is also used here to describe any activity that is done by or for the Council that affects its trees, irrespective of whether the purpose of the works is tree management.

This includes tree surgery, woodland management, and tree planting.  It might also include activities around a tree to address issues or make improvements, such as habitat creation, fencing to protect a tree, or works to an adjacent path or surface.

Works for other reasons that could affect trees might include development, highway works, or the installation of signs, cameras or lights.  Any activity that could affect a Council tree will follow this Policy.

The Arboriculture team will be consulted by other departments before they undertake works near to Council trees.  Trees are vulnerable to accidental damage, which can be hidden and take time to appear. This can make tree management difficult and may compromise safety.

8.2 Consultation and communication

Consultation may be done to share information; to seek views and opinions to inform a decision; or to agree a course of action.

Urgent safety works and those with no practicable alternatives may be less suited to consultation, except to share information. Works that are discretionary, non-urgent, or that could be done in more than one way are more suited to consultation. 

The Council is not under a general obligation to consult before doing tree works and sometimes it is not practical to do so. However, there are circumstances in which this will be done. 

The Council will consult before doing tree works where:

• It has a duty in law to do so, such as before felling street trees
• The works would involve loss or harm to particularly significant or important public trees
• The works would cause major disruption to the public
• Multiple options are finely balanced, and preferences would be informative (e.g. timing of works, or choice of replacement species)
• It is practically necessary, to plan a safe and effective operation (e.g. to help people to plan alternative journeys)
• Where coordination with specific parties is needed (e.g. access across private land or temporary disconnection of services)

The nature of any consultation will depend on the circumstances.

Consultees may include the public, a specific group, or an individual such as a neighbour.  The method will be selected to suit the consultees and nature of the activity.  This may be via the Council’s website, social media, notices and signs, leaflets, door-to-door contact, or verbal communication during the works.

Consultation responses are one source of information that the Council will consider, but it is not bound by them and cannot always reply.  The Council will also monitor the overall level of interest in tree works.  Where there is significant public interest in a particular proposal or planned operation, it may change its strategy for consultation and/or delivery to allow time to gather and respond to relevant information.

Whether there is a consultation or not, the Council will be open and transparent around its tree management decisions and explain its reasons where practicable. The Council will endeavour to engage and communicate with members of the public when tree works are being carried out. Large schemes will be supported by a relevant communication strategy. 

8.3 Selecting and specifying works

The starting point for any tree works will be the purpose or objective.  This will be defined with reference to this Policy. There may be more than one objective.

The Arboriculture team will consider what activities would achieve the objective.  Often there is more than one possible solution that would work. 

For example, restoring visibility of a road sign could be done by pruning a branch, pollarding a tree, or tree removal. There may also be multiple possible locations for a new sign or light that each affect trees differently.

The Arboriculture team will consider the available solutions, with input from others as required, and identify the option that represents a balance between the following factors:

• Sustainability – Is the solution temporary or permanent?  How soon might it need to be repeated?  Is the tree particularly valuable or unusual?
• Harm – Would the solution reduce the amount, quality or longevity of trees?  Is there another solution that would do less harm?
• Value – Does the solution offer value for money?  Are there hidden costs, like increased future maintenance requirements, or replacement planting?
• Risk – Are some solutions safer than others?   How can we keep operatives safe during works, and everyone safe during and after works.

When it is suitable to fell a tree, an appropriate stump management option will be selected considering the future use of the site and balancing the advantages and disadvantages for each option. This could include leaving the stump for natural habitat, removing the stump and replacing with another tree or removing and closing the site off. Timescales for tree stump removal where appropriate will be determined in accordance with section 8.6.

By balancing these priorities, the Council will take a measured approach to selecting tree works.  For example, it will not select the cheapest option if this must be done repeatedly and costs more over the long term; equally, it may prune a tree where this represents value for money and tree removal would do more harm.

8.4 Embedding aims in tree works

This Policy demonstrates our commitment to protecting trees, making improvements, maximising benefits and following best practice.  Each of these aims will be embedded in the way that tree works are planned and delivered.

When planning and delivering tree works operations, the Council will do the following unless there is a good reason not to:

• Minimise harm to the tree
• Preserve tree size, condition and longevity
• Preserve or enhance visual amenity
• Preserve or enhance biodiversity
• Preserve or enhance environmental benefits
• Minimise material processing
• Minimise material transportation

Examples of these principles in practice might include leaving a felled log safely in a park instead of removing it; pruning rather than removing a tree; phasing work to allow replacement trees to grow; or timing works to minimise disturbance to wildlife.

8.5 Standards for tree works

Tree works will be clearly specified, so that everyone involved understands exactly what is to be expected, including staff, contractors, the Council, partners and the public, as applicable.

Tree works will follow British Standard 3998: 2010 (or later revisions), and all relevant Arboricultural Association guidance, including the Industry Code of Practice for Arboriculture, Technical Guides, Safety Guides and Biosecurity Guidance Note.

Wherever possible, works will be planned to minimise the impact on the surroundings, including by disruption.  However, sometimes it is not possible to complete tree works safely without causing some disruption, such as by restrictions to access, or traffic management.

8.6 Timescales and prioritising works

Wherever it has been decided that tree works will be done, a timescale will be set.

The delivery of tree works may not immediately follow a decision that they will be done.  The timescale will often be influenced by a number of factors. 

These include:

• The reason for works may influence their priority, for example, if there is a specific date by which the objective must be achieved
• Some operations should be done at certain times of year, for example to minimise risks to wildlife, reduce the quantity of material, or reduce the risk of disease or damage to the tree
• Some locations are less sensitive to disruption at certain times, for example work near to a school during the holidays
• Planning activities in an area to run consecutively can help to ensure efficiently as part of a programme of planned operations
• The involvement of third parties, such as for essential licensing, permissions, access agreements or consultation
• Resources may fluctuate, for example where works require special equipment or skills it may be planned for when they are available
• Overall demand can be influenced by factors such as the weather and season, which may influence capacity and lead times

The Council will balance these priorities and plan works accordingly.

Timescales for tree works will not be influenced by repeated requests or enquiries.

If works are for safety, the timescale will be fixed.  Works that are for safety reasons will be completed as required by the relevant risk assessment.

Other types of tree works may be delayed at short notice to prioritise safety critical works.

Timescales will, where appropriate, be measured from the date on which the Arboriculture team determined that works would be undertaken. This may be different from the date of any report, request or enquiry that led to them, because these are rarely sufficient to plan works without further gathering of information.