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Tree Management StrategyTrees make a considerable contribution to our living environment. They absorb pollution and CO2, release oxygen to the atmosphere, provide shade and shelter, provide screening, produce timber, create distinct habitats and eco-systems and support a wide range of wildlife. They are also a major visual component of our rural and urban landscapes and as such, make a significant contribution to our quality of life and sense of well being. The effects of any tree management should be considered and balanced against these benefits to ensure that the positive impact of our trees is maintained.
The Tree Management Strategy recognises the tree resource under the stewardship of the County Council and identifies a standard for its management which ensures its long-term conservation and development for the people of Leicestershire and future generations.
You can read the
Frequently Asked QuestionsThe County Council employs qualified tree officers to manage its own tree population and advise owners of roadside trees. It is important for tree owner to ensure that their trees are inspected by a specialist at regular intervals. The frequency of such inspections should depend on the location of the tree in relation to the level of public activity nearby and its age and condition.
The County Council's tree inspection policy is descriped in more detail in
Inspection - Policy No 1 Tree Management Strategy (pdf) The County Council undertake maintenance works on its trees to ensure that : -
The County Council's tree maintenance policy is descriped in more detail in
Maintenance - Policy No 2 Tree Management Strategy (pdf) The County Council will not carry out work to its trees which is harmful to the trees' health, aesthetic qualities and may limit its natural life span.
Such works may include : -
Significant levels of root pruning - which may impair the trees' anchorage and stability and reduce its capacity to absorb soil moisture and nutrients, and Major reductions in tree height and spread (i.e. Topping and Lopping)
More detailed description of
work the County Council will not carry out on it's trees(pdf) The County Council undertakes all its tree maintenance operations in accordance with its own specifications, which follow recognised industry codes of practice.
The County Council's policy on standards of tree maintenance is descriped in more detail in
Standards of Work - Policy No 3 Tree Management Strategy (pdf) The County Council manages its trees and woodlands to ensure that the quality and size of the tree population is maintained and enhanced. This is achieved through its policy on tree maintenance and its commitment to a sustained, annual tree planting programme. Wherever possible the County Council will replace any tree felled, unless site conditions prevent the planting of a replacement.
The County Council's policy on replacing felled trees is descriped in more detail in
Sustainability - Policy No 4 Tree Management Strategy (pdf) The County Council manages all its woodlands to ensure that they are diverse and contain a high proportion of mature trees at any one time. In order to achieve this, the woodlands need to contain a tree population with a varied age structure and as such, new generations of trees have to be introduced periodically. When selective felling is undertaken to accommodate restocking, non-indigenous and poor quality trees are normally targeted, leaving the high quality indigenous species in the woodland.
The County Council's policy on woodland management is descriped in more detail in
Woodland Management - Policy No 5 Tree Management Strategy (pdf) What will the County Council do if its tree(s) are suspected to be causing subsidence damage to adjacent property ?The County Council investigates all cases of suspected subsidence damage relating to its trees. Structural damage can occur to a building for a number of reasons, one of which may relate to nearby trees. Tree related subsidence occurs only on shrinkable clay soils where the tree contributes to the rate of moisture loss from the soil causing it to shrink. If the foundations of a building are constructed on such a soil, resulting damage can occur to the building structure. Tree related subsidence is a complex issue and a whole range of information and data needs to be available before a case can be accurately assessed.
The County Council's policy on tree related subsidence is descriped in more detail in
Tree Related Subsidence - Policy No 6 Tree Management Strategy (pdf) The County Council undertakes maintenance works to its trees on a range of sites across the county on a daily basis. When works are extensive and are likely to significantly impact on a locality or adjacent property, the County Council may notify affected parties.
The County Council's policy on notification is descriped in more detail in
Notification - Policy No 7 Tree Management Strategy (pdf) The responsibility for a tree always lies with the owner of the land on which the tree is growing.
The County Council is responsible for all trees on adopted highway verges and on other Council owned land such as school sites, country parks, elderly persons' establishments, etc. If you think the tree is on County Council land and you a re not sure about who to contact then please call the Forestry Group 0116 305 6922.
If a tree is protected by Tree Preservation Order (TPO), consent from the local planning authority (LPA) has to be obtained before any work is carried out on the tree. An application to undertake the work has to be submitted and the planning authority will then make a decision as to the appropriateness of the proposed work. If unauthorised works are carried out, the LPA can prosecute and potential fines are substantial. It is therefore advisable to check whether a TPO exists before any tree works are carried out.
Trees located in Conservation Areas also have a degree of protection where anyone proposing to cut down or carry out work to a tree is required to give the LPA six weeks prior notice. The purpose of this requirement is to give the LPA an opportunity to consider whether a TPO should be made in respect of the tree.
To check whether a tree is covered by a TPO or lies within a Conservation Area, please contact the Planning Department at your local District Council.
The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 and the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994 (amended August, 2007) provide protection for nesting birds and other species such as bats. Under this legislation, it is an offence to disturb a nesting or breeding site and any resting site of protected species. Tree owners should therefore obtain specialist advice before arranging works to their trees, particularly during the nesting season.
Yes. Tree owners should ensure their trees are inspected by a specialist, at regular intervals and any maintenance work recommended should be undertaken.
If a record of specialist inspections and subsequent maintenance work is maintained, this would demonstrate that the tree owner had acted responsibly, if damage to persons or property did occur.
For further advice on tree management and engaging consultants and contractors, please visit the Arboricultural Associations website at : www.trees.org.uk
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