There are approximately 6,000 trees on highway verges and over 45,000 on other Council-owned land such as parks, open spaces and countryside.
We have a duty of care and are required to take reasonable steps to ensure that they do not constitute a danger or cause actionable nuisance.
The table below shows our tree maintenance and inspection programmes:-
| |
Street Trees |
Trees on other Council-owned land |
| Inspection |
Every year |
Every 2/3 years |
| Access Works |
Annually during growing season |
Biannually during growing season |
| Routine pruning |
Every 5 years |
As appropriate |
| Remedial work |
Annually during early Autumn or after storms |
Every 2/3 years or after storms |
| Young tree maintenance |
Annually as required |
Annually as required |
| Request pruning |
As appropriate |
As appropriate |
| Planting |
Annually December/ March |
Annually December/ March |
Definition of Programmes
| Inspection |
Tree defects and serious nuisance assessment |
| Access works |
Removal of suckers, epicormic growth on trunks and low branch obstruction to footways. |
| Routine Pruning |
Removal of low branches over the highway/gardens, canopy thinning or reduction, clearance of street lights, telephone lines etc. |
| Remedial Work |
Removal of dead or dying wood. Disease control. Removal of broken branches, large deadwood, etc. |
| Young Tree Maintenance |
Restaking, shelter maintenance, removing tree ties, attaching strimmer guards, watering etc |
How can I find out when the street trees in my road are next due?
For routine pruning.
Telephone us 01372 732000
Tree Maintenance Requests
We receive approximately 600 tree maintenance requests annually.
Priorities are decided on the basis of risk. Many people do not recognise when trees may be hazardous and may be more concerned about litter, shading or size. We cannot, therefore, rely solely upon observations by the public. We often need to balance a number of factors in deciding how best to proceed.
We have to prioritise within the resources available to us and can only authorise work where there is a significant hazard or nuisance.
To report a defect to us use our online form or telephone 01372 732000.
Tree Planting Request
Currently we annually plant about 200 trees in the highway. Analysis over the last 5 years shows that this is the number needed to maintain or slightly enhance our current tree population. If too many trees are planted, maintenance costs rapidly escalate.
Properly sited and selected trees are an investment for the future. We are currently in the process of selecting a definitive master list of species highly suitable for street planting. The list will be based on research into performance factors such as tolerance of urban condition, pavement damage, form, longevity, pruning tolerance, availability, biodiversity and subsidence risk.
We plant trees in tree shelters which have proved good value for money. The shelters mean we can plant smaller trees. Smaller trees are cheaper to buy and establish faster.
Most of the planting programme involves replacing trees that have been removed but we have some capacity for new planting requests.
We cannot plant trees where :
- there are underground services below the verge
- there are telephone wires over the verge
- the tree will obstruct street furniture
- there are existing trees close by which could suppress a new tree
- verges are too narrow.
We are not currently planting trees in parks or open spaces.
To ask for a tree to be planted on the Highway telephone 01372 732000 or email contactus@epsom-ewell.gov.uk