‘Growing together’ A strategy for the management of Northumberland County Council’s trees and woodlands Abridged version November 2010 1.0 Introduction..........................................................................................................3 2.0Aim.......................................................................................................................3 3.0 General Tree Management Policy.......................................................................3 4.0 Highway Tree Management.................................................................................6 5.0 Parks and Open Spaces Management..................................................................7 6.0 Woodland Tree Management...............................................................................7 7.0 School trees Policy (ST)......................................................................................8 8.0 Trees on Private Land..........................................................................................9 9.0 Planning Services...............................................................................................11 9.1 Planning Application.....................................................................................11 9.2 Tree Preservation Order.................................................................................11 10.0 Conservation Area...........................................................................................12 11.0 Arboricultural Services....................................................................................12 11.1 General tree enquires...................................................................................12 11.2 Tree pruning.................................................................................................13 11.3 Tree planting................................................................................................13 11.4 Disease monitoring......................................................................................14 12.0 Risk management.............................................................................................14 13.0 Action Plan.......................................................................................................15 2 1.0 Introduction The policy document aims to clearly identify how Northumberland County Council will inspect and maintain trees within their ownership and responsibility whether they are in a housing estate, highway verge, formal park or reclamation woodland. The scope of the policy does not extend to areas of woodland or plantation outside of the responsibility of Northumberland County Council. 2.0Aim To enhance the protection, quality, quantity and diversity of trees and woodlands within the responsibility of Northumberland County Council, whilst managing and maintaining existing tree stock to a high standard, in line with current best practice, to enhance their contribution to the appearance and character of the county for the benefit and enjoyment of all residents and visitors to Northumberland 3.0 General Tree Management Policy GT1 – Northumberland County Council will try to develop its existing tree population. New tree planting will be carried out where possible and practicable. GT2 – We will maintain a high quality and sustainable tree population. Native tree species will be given priority in order to expand indigenous flora and fauna. GT3 – Where a tree has been removed from a site it will be replaced on a two for one basis within the local area capable of allowing the tree to grow to maturity. GT4 – Whilst delivering arboricultural services, we will strictly adhere to BS3998 and all other legislation and current industry best practice. GT5 – We will take all reasonable steps to fulfil duties and obligations to ensure tree safety for all members of the public and property. GT6 – We will inspect our tree stock at an appropriate frequency, depending upon number of pedestrians, vehicles and other targets either passing beneath or within falling distance of the tree, to ensure continued public safety GT7 –We will introduce a tree management computer system to enable an accurate analysis of our tree management population. GT8 – We will resist the unnecessary removal of any tree within the county unless there is a justifiable legal, arboricultural or infrastructure reason. 3 GT9– All requests for tree work will need to be assessed and authorised by the appropriate Tree and Woodlands Officer for that specific geographic area. GT10 – Where a request for tree work is refused, to the dissatisfaction of the customer, there will be a right of appeal, in writing within 28 days, to the Tree Officers Working Group. GT11 – Where members of the public have requested to meet the cost of pruning a council tree, this will be assessed on an individual basis. GT12 – We will assess requests for tree removal or pruning because of the natural or seasonal phenomena below on an individual basis. • Falling leaves; • Honeydew; • Blocked drains or gutters, obstructed flat roofs unless causing a legal nuisance or a wider environmental issue. • Bird droppings (or noise arising from bird communities such as rookeries) • Presence of moss • Falling fruits/seeds • Germinating seeds from council owned trees • Reduction or increase of moisture to gardens • Blossom GT13 – We will assess requests for tree removal or pruning directly attributable to the issues below on an individual basis: • TV or satellite signal reception; • Omission of natural daylight or artificial light at any time of day; • Blocking or obstructing a view from a residence; • Obstructing BT wires GT14 – Where birds are found to be nesting, tree work will be postponed until the end of the nesting season, other than when there is an immediate risk to safety. GT15 – Where trees have been identified as a roosting site for bats, work will not be carried out until Natural England have been consulted, other than when there is an immediate risk to safety. GT16 – We will not carry out any tree work which does not comply with legislation or industry best practice or is deemed to be arboriculturally or legally unnecessary. 4 GT17 – We will carry out selective pruning to allow clearance of police CCTV, speed cameras and where possible, security cameras. GT18 - We will arrange to have basal epicormic growth removed as part of our winter works programme, where this poses an obstruction to the public. GT19 – We will continue to explore ways of utilising arisings (woodchip, logs) generated by arboricultural operations towards greater environment sustainability. GT20 - We aim to monitor and identify the geographical distribution of any moisture depletion subsidence cases. This will help to improve future planned maintenance of trees in these areas. GT21 - Where moisture depletion subsidence to a property has been alleged, we will require appropriate expert evidence from the claimant’s insurer, sufficient to prove their case. GT22 - The Council will endeavour to involve the community by: • Consulting residents in proposed large-scale tree works, allowing time for comments to be received and take these into consideration where they are conducive to good tree care and do not hinder the abatement of a hazard or nuisance. • Establishing schemes that involve the public more directly with the trees in their neighbourhood. • Giving support where possible to community initiatives that promote the planting and care of trees. • Where a tree or trees of community significance are to be removed, we will consult the community in the appropriate replacement planting. Within the general tree policy, sections GT12 and GT13 identify examples where tree work will not be carried out by Northumberland County Council. These reasons apply to all sections of the policy and thus will not be identified specifically within each individual policy section. In instances where tree related activity is suspected of being a causal agent in physical damage, legal nuisance or wider environmental issues i.e. flooding, the issue will be thoroughly investigated and passed to the Tree Policy Working Group for consideration and decision. 5 4.0 Highway Tree Management Highways trees are recognised as those growing in land identified as a right of way and categorised as a highway maintainable at the public expense. Northumberland County Council as well as being responsible for specific highways verges are also responsible for trees within certain reclaimed colliery sites; as part of the restoration of landfill sites and refuse tips; country parks and local nature reserves. The County Council is not however responsible for trees planted along major trunk roads or on private roads. The management of highways trees will fall within the same general guidelines as set out in section 9 as well as the more specific guidelines below. HT1 – We will resist the felling of any highway tree purely on the grounds of complaint. A tree will only be removed if there is a justifiable arboricultural or legal reason on the grounds of safety. HT2 – We will prune trees to ensure free unobstructed passage for pedestrians and road users in accordance with the Highways Act 1980. HT3 – We will prune trees to provide unobstructed lighting columns and road signs. HT4 – We will carry out tree pruning in accordance with the British Standard 3998 – “Recommendations for tree work”, and all relevant industry best practices. HT5 – We will resist the removal of trees for the purpose of vehicle crossings for driveways. If a tree is removed for this reason, then the cost of replacing the tree, on a two for one basis, will be borne by the resident requesting the crossing. HT6 – Where highway damage has been identified and a tree suspected as a causal agent, the issue will be referred to the Tree Policy Working Group for consideration and decision. HT7 – Where it is necessary to remove a tree from the highway, the council shall replace suitable species, on a two for one basis, within an appropriate location. HT8 – When selecting trees for planting within the highway verge, the council will select the correct species appropriate to that location. Priority will be given to native species, however where this is not practical, an appropriate choice will be taken from appropriate non-native species. 6 HT9 – Newly planted trees of standard size or greater will be double staked and fitted with a strimmer guard to protect the tree base from mechanical damage, and a root director, where appropriate, to protect the highway from potential future root damage. HT10- We will not prune or fell trees within a private boundary hedge unless required to by section 154 of the Highways Act 1980 for public safety, but will arrange for the tree owner to make their tree safe. HT11 – We will systematically risk assess our highways tree stock using the Quantified Tree Risk Assessment method, indentify those trees with an unacceptable risk of harm and carry out remedial action accordingly. 5.0 Parks and Open Spaces Management Within the Parks and Open Spaces Management Policy we would include the tree management of our cemeteries. These are large open spaces with a moderate density of tree cover. As well as places of remembrance and contemplation, they are also aesthetically and environmentally important. Play areas would also be included under this policy. PO1 – We aim to create a wide, varied and sustainable tree stock within our parks and open spaces. PO2 – We will plant trees within our parks and open spaces, where appropriate, in order to ensure continuous tree cover, with priority being given to native species. PO3 – Where possible, we will use arboricultural practices to create wildlife habitats within appropriate areas of our parks. PO4 – We will continue to explore and develop environmental sustainability within our parks and open spaces, using arboricultural practices where possible. PO5 – We will consult local community groups when planning a planting programme for open spaces within community areas. 6.0 Woodland Tree Management Woodland areas within Northumberland County exist in different forms. There are in essence four main types of woodland in the county, although within each of these types there are various specialised habitats. The four woodland types are: Ancient semi-natural woodland; plantations on ancient woodland sites; plantations on reclamation sites; other council plantations. 7 WT1 – We will take all reasonable steps to preserve and enhance woodland trees which are indigenous to the county. WT2 – Where possible and safe to do so, we will retain dead standing trees as nature habitats, preferring to prune rather than fell. WT3 – We will allow to remain in situ any dead or felled trees (other than those felled for timber, or in circumstances where this may lead to a significant fire risk) in order to create wildlife habitats. WT4 – We will manage our woodlands as a long term sustainable resource following, UK Woodland Assurance Standard principles. WT5 – We will liaise with the Forestry Commission, Woodland Trust and other relevant body with regard to woodland management. WT6 – We will encourage community and school group involvement, in partnership with other council departments, in the operation of woodland management. WT7 – We will seek to proactively manage our woodland sites, where appropriate, in line with current budget levels. WT8 – Trees within our woodlands will not be felled without adequate arboricultural or legal justification. WT9 – We will ensure that our woodlands are managed and maintained in accordance with forestry and arboricultural best practices. WT10 – Where practical we will encourage the collection of tree seeds in order to protect provenance of local plants. WT11 – We will actively encourage residents and visitors into our woodlands through the creation and maintenance of woodland pathways, except in those areas designated as sensitive due to the presence of protected wildlife habitats e.g. badger setts. WT12 – We will endeavour to expand our woodland and plantation areas to help combat climate change, where land and finances allow. 7.0 School trees Policy (ST) Trees are present in varying numbers within the grounds of High, Middle and First Schools and at other educational establishments in the ownership of Northumberland County Council. As well as enhancing the general attractiveness of the school and its grounds they often contribute significantly to the wider landscape. School trees act as an important source of shade to children during hot weather as well as a source of 8 shelter from the rain. They provide an important teaching resource in terms of biology and environmental sciences. Their presence offers the opportunity to convey and promote the importance of environmental and conservation issues to young people. ST1 - In conjunction with teachers, school representatives, and governing bodies, we will promote the maintenance of a diverse and healthy tree stock within our school grounds. ST2 - We will encourage the planting of trees within school grounds. In particular we will promote the involvement of pupils and students of all ages to engender and instil an appreciation of the importance of trees to future generations. ST3 – Due to the demands placed upon space at school sites for playing fields, tree planting is frequently confined to playing field and site perimeters. It follows therefore that school trees are often located in close proximity to residential property. We will not undertake tree pruning in direct response to complaints arising from any of the issues as set out in the General Tree Policy. 8.0 Trees on Private Land PT1 – Northumberland County Council has a specific duty of care to assess the risk of harm caused by trees for which it is directly responsible and those within falling distance of a public highway. Private tree owners have a direct responsibility for their trees. PT2 – We will provide professional, impartial general tree related advice to all private tree owners. PT3 – Where there is an outbreak of a tree disease within Northumberland County we will provide advice regarding control and possible future prevention to private tree owners. PT4 – We will not arbitrate in private tree owner disputes unless the tree in question would affect land or property we own. PT5 – We will not carry out general tree work on private property. Advice will be provided to private tree owners with respect to selecting private contractors. PT6 – Where private trees pose a danger, threat or nuisance to the public or public property, the owners will be requested to carry out remedial work. Where this work is not carried out, we will use statutory powers (5) to carry out the work ourselves and recharge the owner. 9 PT7 – Where trees pose a nuisance or obstruct the highway, Northumberland County Council have statutory powers (6) to ensure the nuisance or obstruction is removed, and to recharge the owner. PT8– We will only carry out inspections and surveys of trees on private land in the following circumstances: • In the event of a planning application where trees are implicated. • Where there are proposals to make, revoke or review Tree Preservation Orders. • Where an application has been made to carry out works to trees protected by a Tree Preservation Order or within a conservation area. • Where unauthorised works to protected trees have been brought to the attention of the planning authority. Such inspections and surveys are in accordance with The Town and Country Planning Act 1990. We will carry out inspections and surveys of trees on private land only in the event of a planning or Tree Preservation application. PT9 – Where a tree in private ownership is of such quality and /or enhances the landscape around which it grows and is in danger of removal, Northumberland County Council planners can exercise powers under statute (5) to place a Tree Preservation Order on the necessary tree. This order will protect the tree from lopping, topping, cutting down or wilful damage. Any legitimate pruning work will require written consent from the County Planning Authority. PT10 – Trees growing in a conservation area are protected under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. In this instance, anyone wishing to carry out any tree work growing in a conservation area is obliged to give the planning authority six weeks written notice prior to the commencement of work. Anyone wishing to carry out any tree work growing in a conservation area is legally obliged to obtain the consent of the County Planning Authority. The authority will decide within six weeks whether to protect the tree via a Tree Preservation Order. Where trees are to be felled and the volume of timber is greater than five cubic metres in any calendar quarter and a felling licence exemption does not apply, then a felling licence must be applied for from the Forestry Commission. 10