This page explains how residents, community groups and organisations can apply for trees to be planted on Council owned or Highway land.

Type of planting request:

• Sponsored & Memorial tree planting
• Third party tree planting
• Tree planting on the Highway

 

Sponsored & Memorial tree planting on Council owned land

The Council recognises the wish of many residents to remember loved ones with a memorial tree in a public open space. The Council is happy to accommodate requests for memorial trees in most cases, but this must be balanced with the need for green spaces to be enjoyed by a wide range of park users and residents. Memorial planting will be focussed on a number of sites available across the Borough.

We also welcome requests to sponsor the planting of a tree. Tree sponsorship could be to commemorate a special event, or to improve the local environment. The Council will ensure that the sponsored and memorial tree process is managed and regulated for the mutual benefit of all.

An application for a sponsored or memorial tree can be made via the online reporting form. There is a set fee to the applicant for the Council planting a sponsored or memorial tree as set out in the table below. This is to cover sourcing, planting, maintenance, and admin costs associated with sponsored & memorial planting.

Type of request	Action	Fee
Single Sponsored or Memorial Tree - Council to plant	Admin fee (on application)	£50
	Planting fee (if site selected is agreed)	£500

Once an application is received, the Council will:

• Respond to the request and confirm location for the tree;
• Send you an invoice for the tree, its planting and tree guards;
• Upon payment, confirm a timescale for planting;
• Notify you in writing that the tree has been planted.

All sponsored & memorial trees will be sourced by the Council and will be planted between the months of November and March. The species of tree to be planted will be subject to agreement. Where appropriate, the applicant will be encouraged to water the tree in early growth. The Council will be unable to accept responsibility for the loss of a tree due to damage or vandalism.

Plaques are not permitted on trees planted in parks for safety and maintenance reasons.

 

Tree planting requests on Council owned land (third party planting)

The Council has developed a strategy for tree planting on its own land (within our Tree Management Plan) and any public requests for additional tree planting will be considered against the proposed or targeted planting sites. Third party tree planting requests can be made via the online reporting form.

There is a set fee to the applicant for third party planting requests as set out in the table below. This is to cover admin costs including service checks, a site visit to the planting location, and a Council Officer being on site to supervise the tree planting and check its compliance with the original proposal.

Type of request	Action	Fee
Third-party tree planting	Admin fee (on application)	£150
	Planting fee (if site selected is agreed)	£350

An application must be submitted containing the following information:

• The proposed site location identified and any associated photographs of the location;
• The reasons for the site selected;
• Details of the proposed tree planting, number and species;
• Arrangements for the on-going maintenance;
• A copy of the applicant’s Public Liability Insurance;
• Details of the planting including proposed dates, number of volunteers, health and safety, and completed risk assessment;
• The required admin fee.

The application will be assessed against the following criteria:

• Is this an acceptable location for the tree planting proposed (e.g. service check, likely success rate of the trees in this location, compatibility with and/or impacts on purpose of the wider site).
• Are the proposed tree species appropriate?
• Are the proposed number of trees appropriate for the proposed location?
• Are there any operational reasons as to why the proposal should not take place?

If an application is successful:

• A tree planting fee will be required before planting can take place.
• A date for planting will need to be agreed with the Council.

 

Tree planting on the Highway

Trees on the Highway fall under the responsibility of Surrey County Council. Any planting in these locations would be led by the County Council. Requests for tree planting on Highway land can be made via the Surrey County Council website