Tree Management Policy 2025 - Remedial work

Where a tree poses an unacceptable level of risk, it will be necessary to carry out remedial works to reduce the risk to an acceptable level. The timescale for implementing such works will be identified by the tree inspector.

Remedial works should not be confined to tree surgery; it may be acceptable to modify how the public uses a site by, for instance, relocating benches or fencing off ‘target’ areas with shrub or hedgerow planting. Similarly, there may be circumstances where the growing environment may be improved using soil aeration or mulching. This may be effective where a significant tree has been assessed to be in declining health and likely to pose an increasing risk in the future.

The Council should prepare a list of reputable tree surgeons who will be on hand to carry out routine and emergency works. The Council must be assured that the contractors we use are competent to carry out the work i.e. they are fully insured, trained and experienced in the work that they are undertaking. The work must be carried out in accordance with current arboricultural best practice and with the safety of staff and the public in mind. They must hold Public Liability Insurance to at least £10m and Employers Liability Insurance commensurate with the size of their business. It is strongly recommended to obtain copies of this information before appointing a contractor.

The Arboricultural Association run the ARB-Approved Contractor scheme, providing a list of companies who have been assessed in terms of their understanding of current arboricultural practice, their compliance with legislation and health and safety requirements, and their business practices. This list provides a good foundation for contractor selection: Find a Tree Surgeon.

The inspecting officer and contractor must make consideration to the likely presence of protected species. Bats, birds and other species and their habitats are afforded statutory protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, as amended by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 and the EU Habitats Directive 1992.

Where trees must be felled, the inspector should consider whether it is necessary to carry out replacement planting. They should take particular note of location, number of trees, species, supplied size and any above or below-ground constraints. Note that the removal of dead or dangerous trees which are protected by Tree Preservation Order or Conservation Area may require replacement planting as a legal obligation.