How we manage and maintain our trees

We maintain trees on public land including parks, woodlands, and open spaces.

Tree works are prioritised for public safety. Any council owned tree that is dangerous will be treated as an emergency and dealt with straight away.

All council owned trees are regularly surveyed following the BCP Tree Operational Risk Management System.

This makes sure that trees are maintained at an acceptable level of risk, however, trees are living things and can be affected by weather conditions. 

Works we do

We will carry out work on:

• dead, dying and dangerous trees
• damaged and dangerous limbs
• limbs which are obscuring highway signs, traffic lights or lamps

Works we do not do

We will not carry out pruning or works to any trees that:

• are affecting satellite or television reception
• are obstructing light
• have seasonal debris falling from them, such as fruit, seeds, conkers and pollen
• have limbs interfering with telephone lines - you must contact the service provider
• are obstructing views
• are close to but not touching a property
• cause leaves to drop in your gutters, or on your drive or garden
• are overhanging into privately owned gardens or parking areas - GOV.UK has advice about resolving these issues
• present natural seasonal process such as sap, leaves or fruit drop
• may be used by squirrels and other animals to enter properties
• Impact or have branches that impact railway lines, instead contact Network Rail
• impact or have branches that impact electricity cables, instead contact SSE
• belong to a private landlord, agent or housing partnership. Instead, report these to the owners of the property or the partnership

Damage to your property

If you believe damage to your property or injury has been caused by a council owned tree as a result of negligence, you can find out more about making an insurance claim against us.