Tree Management
Tree and Hedgerow Management Policy For
Sydling St Nicholas Parish Council
General Principles
The Parish Council has adopted the following principles in relation to trees on Parish Council
land –
• It will take a responsible approach to tree management and to any risks
which they may pose to people and surrounding property
• It will be prudent in identifying any such risks
• It will take steps to reduce these risks
• Monitor Dorset Council, Tree Work Planning Applications for tree works on
private property and comment on them when asked to do so.
• In maintaining our trees we will:
• Remove dead, dying and dangerous trees
• Remove dangerous and damaged limbs
• Replace lost trees where possible
• (All works to be carried out by an Authorized Tree Surgeon)
• Ensure new trees planted, are healthy and free from disease, they must come
from a reputable nursery, who can track the history of the tree for biosecurity measures.
• To survey our trees on a regular basis, but if trees require works under this
section, members of the public should contact: Sydling St Nicholas Parish Council Tree
Warden, Telephone: 01300 342193 or email: sydlingstnicholas@dorset-aptc.gov.uk
• The trees will be inspected and if works are required this will be programmed
as necessary.
The Woodland Trust states that “trees and hedgerows are important features in the
landscape; providing food and shelter for wildlife’.
The Parish Council accepts that as well as being central to the visual character of the Parish,
trees and hedgerows create a diverse habitat and wildlife corridors for a variety of
wildflowers, bugs, birds and mammals. They are also useful in flood prevention and
absorbing noise and particulate pollution.
The rest of this policy provides further details of the approaches the Parish Council will use
to preserve, enhance and manage trees and hedgerows on their land.
General Policy
This policy defines the Council’s approach to tree and hedgerow management on its land. It
is intended to be a point of reference for the Public, Councillors and Officers to ensure a
consistent and structured approach to the management of the Parish Council’s trees and
hedgerows. This policy sets out a proactive and systematic method of management that will
both conserve and enhance our tree population and hedgerows and the amenity value of our
land. For sites of special character or that have trees and hedgerows of particular
significance, this general policy will be supplemented with the site’s particular management
needs.
Tree Protection
Due care will be taken by the Council to ensure that damage to trees by mowing and
strimming is prevented. Longer grass margins around trees may be left. Protection will be
provided for newly planted or young trees where appropriate, for example, timber posts
surrounded by wire mesh.
Tree Inspections
The council has a duty to care for its trees and will use a qualified tree surgeon to inspect all
trees every two years.
The Council will also consider requests to conduct tree work on the Council’s land from local
residents. If the request concerns a potentially dangerous tree, the tree will be inspected and
recommended works will be scheduled as soon as possible. If the request is non-urgent, the
Clerk will place the request on the next Parish Council Agenda. If agreed, an inspection will
be undertaken. In all cases the local resident will be informed of any actions taken.
The Council recognises the importance of mature and ancient trees and will balance safety
with a duty to protect the environment, ensuring only essential/minimal works are undertaken
in order to preserve a tree.
Tree Felling
The Council will avoid felling trees unless it is necessary. This will usually be for health and
safety purposes or to prevent the spread of serious tree diseases and pests. However, the
Council reserve the right to fell trees to prevent overcrowding, to improve habitats or restore
landscapes in line with site management or where a tree is inappropriate to its location and
has a significantly detrimental impact on the amenity of the site.
Woody Debris
Where appropriate woody debris will be used to provide or extend wildlife habitats in the
vicinity or offered to local residents for this purpose.
Maintenance
Tree work will be prioritised and carried out according to the following criteria:
Emergency; Dangerous trees requiring immediate attention
Desirable Work; Actions to improve tree health
Non-essential Work; Actions to thin or prune Parish Council owned trees
Tree maintenance will be carried out by contractors who are qualified tree surgeons. All tree
works will comply with BS3988:2110 Recommendations for Tree Work and any subsequent
Revisions.
Tree Pruning
This will be carried out for health and safety reasons, such as to remove lower branches
growing over a road or public areas
Or where it benefits the health of a tree, for example pollarding to extend the lifespan of a
tree and prevent splitting
The Council will not undertake tree pruning or maintenance –
. In response to natural occurrences that do not pose a health and safety risk, such as
falling leaves, fruit, berries, seeds, bird droppings, pollen etc.
. Solely for reasons of increasing sun light/views to properties and gardens
. During the nesting season, unless work is for health and safety reasons usually from
1st March to 31st August.
. If a tree contains roosting bats, unless work is for health and safety reasons
. Where trees have a negative impact on television reception
. On trees overhanging an adjacent property, unless work is for health and safety
reasons. Landowners have a common law right to prune back tree branches to their
boundary, providing that would not lead to tree death and providing the tree is not
protected by a TPO or within a Conservation Area.
. To remove dead branches from trees located in relatively quiet locations due to their
ecological value, unless work is for health and safety reasons
Conservation Area and Tree Preservation Orders
A Tree Preservation Order is a form of planning control. It prevents cutting down, uprooting,
topping, lopping, wilful damage or destruction of trees without permission from the Dorset
Council.
The same protections apply to trees in a Conservation Area and also require permission
from the Dorset Council Planning Department.
Consent is required to work on trees in a Conservation Area or that are protected by a TPO.
Planning applications to Dorset Council are usually dealt within 6 weeks.
Hedgerows
Hedgerows are an important feature in the village. They may have marked important
historical boundaries and their loss is to be discouraged. Hedgerows provide habitat for a
wide range of wildlife.
The Council will –
. aim to increase infill or new planting of native hedge species on sites they own within
the parish.
The Council will not undertake hedge pruning or maintenance –
. During the nesting season, unless work is for health and safety reasons. The main
nesting and breeding season is recognised as being between 1 March to 31
August.
APPENDIX A – Parish Council Owned Land;
The Village Green
The Play Park
The Spiny
The Village Hall grounds
APPENDIX B;
Common Law – Advice on Cutting of Tree Branches Not Protected by a TPO or within
a Conservation Area
Provided the tree is not protected by a TPO or situated in a Conservation Area, then
Under Common Law a person may cut back any branch (or root) from a neighbour’s tree
that overhangs or encroaches on their property. In cutting back any overhanging branches
(or encroaching roots) the following points need to be observed –
. You must not proceed across Parish Council Land with the intention to perform
unauthorised tree works without written permission.
. Branches or roots must not be cut back beyond the boundary of privately owned
land.
. Any branches, fruit or roots removed must be returned to the owner unless they
otherwise agreed
. All work must be carried out carefully to avoid damaging property or carrying out
work that would leave the tree unsafe or dangerous, or would lead to the death of the
tree.
Contact details:
Sydling St Nicholas Parish Council; https//www.parish-council.com
Sydling St. Nicholas Parish Clerk: Mr D Green
email: sydlingstnicholas@dorset-aptc.gov.uk
Sydling St Nicholas Parish Council Tree Warden; Shell Durack
Telephone: 01300 342193: Email; shell.durack@gmail.com
If you are planning to carry out work to any tree(s) on Privately owned Land, within a
Conservation Area you will need to give Dorset Council Planning Dept. 6 weeks notice of
the proposed work. You can download the 'Tree works: trees in conservation areas/ subject
to TPOs' application form via the Planning Portal. During the 6 weeks notice they will
consider whether the tree is worthy of a tree preservation order.
https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/countryside-coast-parks/countryside-management/t
ree-management/trees-in-conservation-areas
Trees on other open spaces may be the responsibility of Dorset Council.
Trees situated within the public highway, adjacent to the road or on roadside verges, are
generally the responsibility of Dorset Council. You can contact them on: Dorset Tree and
Environment Team for North & West Dorset
Telephone; 01258 484248
Email: treeteamwest@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
Version: 1
Date approved: 6/3/23
Review Date: April 2025
Author: Cllr. S. Durack
Sydling St. Nicholas Parish Council
Additional information
Rope swings & Climbing Trees( Addendum added 06/07/2024)
The Council has a duty of care to the public on land it owns or has a lease agreement on and needs to manage it to a standard at which any potential risk is minimised.
In public open spaces, play equipment and other infrastructure provided by the Council for public benefit, meets a Council quality standard and is inspected and maintained on an ongoing basis.
Trees on public open spaces are managed according to the Council’s Tree Management Policy. Trees are a valuable asset to our community and an amenity for the public to enjoy with Great Benefit to Mental Health. The policy aims to protect all and maintain the health of our trees
Rope swings are placed on tree branches on Council land by another party without Council knowledge or consent. Swinging from improvised Rope Swings and Climbing Trees on Public land is fraught with risk and should only be carried out by authorised contractors for the purpose of maintenance.
Context & Legislation
The Council as a landowner has a legal responsibility to provide a duty of care to the public under the Occupiers Liability Act 1957/1984 and to employees under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
To meet these duties the Council regularly assesses and manages any known risks to minimise any chance of injury to persons or damage to its trees on an on going basis. Is able to demonstrate that appropriate measures are being taken to minimise known risk. The Parish Council can not be held responsible for injury to individuals or damage to their property if persons are found to be abusing our trees in such a manner which causes a Health & Safety Issue, without the council’s knowledge or permission.
Rope swings
These are created in trees by members of the public for their own enjoyment and the enjoyment of anyone else who may find and want to use them. This may include children, young people and adults. It can reasonably be expected that adults take responsibility for their own actions when encountering an obvious potential risk such as a rope swing. Young people and children cannot be expected to assess this risk, even if they are being supervised or not.
The ropes, knots and seating/standing attachments may not be strong enough to support the weight of all potential users. These parts may fray, break up or otherwise degrade over time. The location and swinging area of the rope swing maybe intrinsically unsafe. The Tree Branch/es may not be strong enough & May break without warning.
The swing and its use, may damage the tree or the ground around from continued use and could expose the roots of the tree, thereby causing long term damage to roots and the surrounding ground. Not withstanding could also create a trip hazard.
Trees on land owned by the Parish Council are maintained & proactively inspected on a regular basis for defects & issues arising that could cause Health & Safety Issues and are reported to Dorset Council’s Arboreal Team who advise the Parish Council of any action if required.
The Parish Council does not accept responsibility or liability for harm or injury caused to persons, including supervised/un supervised children, who are found tobe behaving irresponsibly or recklessly towards trees on land owned or leased by the Parish Council.
Rope Swings are prohibited on trees, on land owned and managed by the Parish Council for Health & Safety Reasons and to maintain the health of these important natural assets and should be removed immediately.
Climbing Trees on land owned or leased by the Parish Council, causes damage to the tree/s and carries its own Health & Safety Risks. And is therefore prohibited.
Persons found to be deliberately damaging, cutting or pruning trees on Parish Council Land without permission in writing, will be investigated by Dorset Council Arboreal Team and as a result legal action may be taken against
Date approved: 1/5/2024h
Review Date: April 2025 Author: Cllr. S. Durack
Sydling St. Nicholas Parish Council