Streetscene are responsible for the management and maintenance of all trees in the ownership of the Council. The Council's trees are located across a wide variety of land types including parks and open spaces, local nature reserves, crematoria and closed cemeteries.
The Council has undertaken a comprehensive survey of its trees to plot their location and condition. As a result of this work the Council is undertaking works on a priority basis and based on the Council's tree management policy.
All tree management work is carried out by the Council's own professional maintenance team.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Property Damage
- What is Pollarding?
- Tree Roots and Drains
- Television and Satellite Reception
- Falling Leaves
- Tree Sap
- Removal of Trees
- Who should I contact regarding Council owned trees?
Property Damage
We will remove or prune Council trees which are proven to the causing damage to property if it is proven to be the most appropriate solution.
If you believe that a tree is causing damage to your property you will need to provide an independent report at your cost to the Council. This report should include;
- the age of the property and any extensions
- the ownership of the tree(s)
- the nature of the problem
- details of any historical defect monitoring
- type and depth of existing foundations
- details of soil type and composition to a depth of approximately 3m
- evidence of tree root presence below foundation level
- evidence that any roots found belong to the suspected trees
- measurement of subsoil shrinkage potential at and below foundation level
- a plan showing accurate locations of relevant site features including buildings, drains and trees on, or adjacent to, the site
- a plan showing the borehole sampling locations
For more information on property damage caused by trees see the following
page.
What is Pollarding?
Pollard tree pruning is a method of trimming trees to control their mature size and shape, creating a uniform canopy. The technique is often used on trees planted in an area where it is necessary to restrict their full size growth.
Pollarding is generally undertaken in late winter and may be necessary because it:
- can prevent trees and shrubs outgrowing their allotted space
- can reduce the shade cast by a tree
- prevents contact with electric wires, streetlights and other on-street obstacles
- ensures a uniform removal of limbs and branches that might be potentially at risk from high winds
Tree Roots and Drains
Tree roots will follow drains to exploit any condensation on the outside of the pipes and it is possible that, as they grow they may dislodge pipe joints, enter the drain and block it. However it is more usual for roots to enter an already damaged drain. Once inside a drain, roots are likely to proliferate and cause a blockage.
The best solution will usually be to repair the drain rather than fell the tree. New drains, well laid, using modern materials and sealants should be immune to tree damage.
Television and Satellite Reception
If a genuine complaint is made about a Council owned/managed tree or trees interfering with television reception and all other alternative solutions have been exhausted, the Council will prune the tree in accordance with the current accepted pruning techniques only where possible to do so without being detrimental to the health or amenity of the tree at the cost to the house owner/holder. There can be no guarantee that any pruning will solve the problem.
Falling Leaves
The Council does not collect leaf fall from house holder’s properties. Leaf fall is a naturally occurring annual process.
Tree Sap
The Council does not prune trees due to sap accumulating on cars or property.
Removal of Trees
The Council will not normally remove a tree unless it is dead, dying or dangerous. A dead tree is not necessarily dangerous and where it is safe to do so the Council will leave standing deadwood.
Who should I contact regarding Council owned trees?
You can contact us on 01785 619000 or via email at streetscene@staffordbc.gov.uk