Frequently Asked Questions about Trees located on Council Land

• Does the Council have a Tree Policy?
• I have an enquiry about a tree on Council land - Who do I contact?
• I feel that a Council tree is immediately dangerous and the Council Offices are closed - Who do I contact?
• A Council tree is obstructing my light - can it be pruned?
• How tall are trees allowed to grow?
• A Council tree is blocking my view – can it be pruned or removed?
• A Council tree is interfering with my tv/radio signal - can it be pruned?
• A Council tree is dropping seeds, leaves or fruit – can it be pruned?
• There’s a tree on the grass verge outside my house - can it be pruned?
• I am a Council tenant and have trees in my garden that need pruning - what should I do?
• I am a Council tenant and there is a tree on a grassed area that needs pruning - what should I do?
• A tree is overhanging or blocking a path/road. What can be done?
• Will you replace a fallen, felled or diseased tree?
• What tree work can I expect to be done?
• When will the work be completed?
• How does the Council deal with Tree Preservation Orders on Council property?
• How does the Council deal with Tree Preservation Orders on private property?
• Can the Council recommend a tree surgeon?
• My question is not answered above – Who do I contact?

Does the Council have a Tree Policy?

 

In order to manage effectively the Council's tree resource and trees protected by a Preservation Order, Fareham Borough Council has produced a Tree Policy. The final version was formally adopted in July 2007

 

Read the Council’s Tree Policy (216 Kb) .

 

 

I have an enquiry about a tree on Council land - Who do I contact?

 

Please contact the Trees & Parks Officer by telephoning 01329 236100 Ext 4606, or email customerservices@fareham.gov.uk.  Alternatively, you can fill out our online Tree Enquiry Form.

 

We aim to make inspections after tree enquiries within 10 days of receiving them. In more urgent cases, the situation will be inspected sooner.

 

 

I feel that a Council tree is immediately dangerous and the Council Offices are closed - Who do I contact?

 

Should a tree-related incident occur outside office hours that will not wait until the Council Offices are next open. The Council has an emergency telephone number - Out of Hours Emergencies 0800 374485.

 

 

A Council tree is obstructing my light - can it be pruned?

 

Any work to a tree puts it under a certain amount of stress, and leaves it open to infection from fungi and disease. In addition, future growth from the point at which the tree is pruned is at greater risk of breakage due to the weakened union. For these reasons, operations solely to improve the availability of light can be large undertakings and commitments, so only in exceptional circumstances does the Council prune trees to improve the availability of light.

 

 

How tall are trees allowed to grow?

 

There is no maximum height to which the Council allows its trees to reach, unless there is a reason to limit this growth in order to reduce a direct risk to health and safety. Wherever possible, Council-owned trees are left to reach their natural size and shape.

 

 

A Council tree is blocking my view – can it be pruned or removed?

 

There is no right in law to a view, and a view obstructed by the growth of trees cannot legally be regarded as a nuisance. The Council will not normally prune or remove trees to create or restore a view.

 

 

A Council tree is interfering with my tv/radio signal - can it be pruned?

 

Poor reception due to perceived interference from trees will only merit remedial pruning when the work required is constant with good arboricultural practice, and will not unduly affect the amenity or health of the tree, and current financial constraints allow.

 

 

A Council tree is dropping seeds, leaves or fruit – can it be pruned?

 

Leaves, seeds and fruit are carried on the wind, and are largely out of the control of the Council, therefore pruning work will not normally be carried out based solely on problems arising from their seasonal fall. The fall of leaves, seeds and fruit from trees can cause frustration, though it is widely accepted that this is an unavoidable problem which occurs together with all the benefits associated with living in proximity to trees.

 

Our street-cleaning section regularly sweeps and cleans the streets to prevent falling leaves and fruit from causing too much of a problem. If you want to know when your street is due for cleaning, contact our street-cleansing section. Please telephone Street Scene on 01329 236100 or email customerservices@fareham.gov.uk.

 

 

There’s a tree on the grass verge outside my house - can it be pruned?

 

If the tree in question is located on the verge between the pavement and the highway, it is likely to be considered part of the highway, and any enquiry relating to a tree in such a position should be directed to Hampshire Highways. Please telephone 01329 236100 or email highways-transport.south@hants.gov.uk

 

 

I am a Council tenant and have trees in my garden that need pruning - what should I do?

 

Trees situated in the gardens of Council housing, or in open spaces in Council Housing estates are the responsibility of Fareham Borough Council’s Housing Department.

 

For enquiries relating to these trees, please telephone Tenancy Services on 01329 236100, or email customerservices@fareham.gov.uk.

 

 

I am a Council tenant and there is a tree on a grassed area that needs pruning - what should I do?

 

Trees situated in the gardens of Council housing, or in open spaces in Council Housing estates are the responsibility of Fareham Borough Council’s Housing Department.

 

For enquiries relating to these trees, please telephone Tenancy Services on 01329 236100, or email customerservices@fareham.gov.uk.

 

 

A tree is overhanging or blocking a path/road. What can be done?

 

When a tree on Fareham Borough Council land causes an obstruction to a public highway or footpath, then we aim to respond as soon as possible and take remedial action. Please contact the Trees & Parks Officer by telephoning 01329 236100 Ext 4606, or email customerservices@fareham.gov.uk.

 

If a tree is obstructing a highway or public footpath from any other land, then Hampshire Highways are the correct authority to contact. Please telephone 01329 236100 or email highways-transport.south@hants.gov.uk

 

 

Will you replace a fallen, felled or diseased tree?

 

Yes, we will always do our best to replace trees, although sometimes trees cannot be planted in exactly the same spot.

 

 

What tree work can I expect to be done?

 

Trees that pose a direct risk to health and safety are the priority of the Council and will be addressed before ‘good neighbourly’ issues (the pruning of overhanging trees etc).

 

The Council will not undertake pruning that may be detrimental to the health and vigour of trees within its management. However, reasonable steps will be undertaken where appropriate to ensure that our trees do not pose any significant adverse effects on neighbouring property.

 

 

When will the work be completed?

 

The key work priorities for trees situated in apark or public open space are listed below:

• Trees that are perceived as imminently dangerous. (Emergency – within 2hrs)
• Trees that are perceived to be dangerous where work needs to be undertaken at a safe time. (Urgent work – within 2 weeks)
• Works on hazardous trees identified through tree inspections and site visits. (Planned Red – within 12 weeks)
• Tree works to abate or remove an actual or potential nuisance caused by a Council tree. (Planned Orange – within 6 months)
• “Good neighbour” issues such as reducing encroaching branches over properties and general formative pruning. (Planned Green – within 12 months)

 

How does the Council deal with Tree Preservation Orders on Council property?

 

It is not the policy of the Council to serve new Tree Preservation Orders upon trees already within its ownership. The Council employs qualified officers who are committed to maintaining and protecting the multi-faceted benefits that the borough’s trees provide, and such legislation could act as a barrier to good arboricultural practice.

 

Find out more about Protected Trees.

 

 

How does the Council deal with Tree Preservation Orders on private property?

 

Find out more about Protected Trees.

 

 

Can the Council recommend a tree surgeon?

 

The Council cannot recommend tree surgeons - to do so would be offering some tree surgeons an unfair competitive advantage. A business directory (such as the Yellow Pages) is the best means of finding a competent tree surgeon, suited to specific needs. The Council produces guidance on choosing a tree surgeon.

 

 

My question is not answered above – Who do I contact?

 

For further information relating to trees in parks, open spaces or adjacent to greenways, please telephone the Trees & Parks Officer on 01329 236100 or email customerservices@fareham.gov.uk.

 

[Back to top of page]