Tree management policy

7.1 Planting

The Council plants trees on its land for a range of purposes, for the benefit of amenity, people and the environment. Broadly, there are two kinds of tree planting:

• Planting to replace trees that are removed to maintain tree cover
• Planting to increase and/or enhance the treescape

7.2 Tree replacement

Wherever trees are removed by the Council for any reason, they will be replaced.

Replacement planting will be designed to reinstate both the canopy cover (area) of trees and any identified benefits or functions that were lost within a reasonable period (Typically calculated on the basis of 30 years for canopy cover; replacement of specific functions may be shorter.)

Replacement planting will be designed to achieve an increase in tree canopy cover by the time new trees are fully mature; maintain or increase species diversity; and use trees with a similar or greater life expectancy.

Replacement planting may be in the same, and/or a different location. 

Canopy cover is an overall measure of the quantity of trees, whereas the benefits and functions that replacement planting will reinstate may be location specific.

Wherever tree removal as part of other works is agreed (e.g. as part of a highway improvement scheme) replacement planting will be required that meets or exceeds the requirements of this Policy. This may be embedded in the scheme or delivered by the Council using funds provided for this purpose.

7.3 Enhancement

The Council will identify opportunities to plant trees to enhance the treescape, such as by adding street trees to places without them or planting to improve woodland quality.  The delivery of these will be dependent on availability of resources, such as grants, and may be influenced by other priorities.

The Council will:

• Increase tree canopy cover on its land year on year
• Identify a ‘supply’ of tree planting opportunities that could be delivered
• Produce a Tree Planting Strategy setting out annual planting targets
• Encourage others to plant trees and provide support, such as advice

The Council will engage with third parties, such as community groups, businesses and individuals to deliver tree planting opportunities, including via sponsorship.  It will maintain a framework of standard costs for planting and maintenance of trees on its land for use as the basis for such agreements.

7.4 Damage to Council trees

Trees are property, and unauthorised damage may be an offence. The Council will report any suspected unlawful damage to trees, and support investigations and prosecutions. 

Council trees are the product of an investment of public resources and a valuable public asset.  Damaging trees can destroy benefits that they would have provided, increase future management costs, create new liabilities and risks, and necessitate expensive remedial measures.

Where trees are damaged or destroyed, the Council will seek to recover the value of lost benefits and/or costs incurred.

Costs the Council may face following damage include additional inspections and maintenance, remedial works, replacement planting and the cost of investigation.

The Council will normally use a recognised system of tree valuation, such as CAVAT.  Other methods may be used to evaluate particular functions and benefits that have been lost, and the cost of replacing them.  For example, if the loss of trees has consequences for soil stability, structural damage, heritage, or water quality.

The mechanism for recovering damages may vary, depending on the circumstances.  These include:

• Where unavoidable harm would occur as part of planned Council activities or pre-agreed development or maintenance works by a third party, the means of offsetting that harm will be agreed as part of the works where possible
• Where avoidable harm occurs as a result of development or maintenance activities, the Council will seek to recover costs on a voluntary basis in the first instance where possible
• Where trees are wilfully or recklessly damaged or destroyed, or where other means have been exhausted, the Council will gather evidence and recover costs and damages where possible, including through the courts

Examples of harm to public trees include:

• Unauthorised pruning or removal
• Utilities installation and maintenance that does not follow industry guidance
• Development that does not follow agreed tree protection measures
• Vandalism and intentional damage
• Damage by dogs and other animals
• Vehicle impact and abrasion
• Soil compaction and rutting

7.5 Other services

The Council is involved in tree management in other ways that are not covered by this Policy.

The planting, removal and protection of trees in the context of planning and development covered by the National Planning Policy Framework, the Local Plan, and supplementary planning documents.

The Council can make Tree Preservation Orders. These control pruning or removal of trees and are made and administered according to the Tree Preservation Order Regulations.  It is unusual for trees on Council land to be protected in this way.

The Council may be consulted or involved in making some decisions about tree management on private land, such as in Conservation Areas, hedgerow removal and management, and tree safety around the highway.

North Tyneside is part of the North-East Community Forest.  This involves cooperation with five other local authorities and includes an ambition to increase tree canopy cover across the region to 30% by 2050.

7.6 Monitoring outcomes and updating information

This Policy will be reviewed every 4 years and updated if necessary.

The activities that are covered by this Policy will be recorded to allow monitoring over time.  In particular, the Council will monitor tree population characteristics; tree works that have been completed; the number of inspections, enquiries and requests; and tree planting totals.