1. Path to this page:Home
  2. >> Environment and Transport
  3. >> Nature and Conservation
  4. >> Trees

Trees

Trees play an essential role in towns and cities, providing a wide range of environmental, economic and social benefits which can have a positive impact on the lives of those living and working in the urban environment.

Our Tree Strategy outlines how we intend to manage and maintain trees in the borough. The text below offers advice and guidance on the different types of tree management we have in place:

Tree Maintenance Programme

The Council has a proactive approach to tree maintenance. The type of pruning works undertaken depends on the tree’s location and the species of tree. Minimal works will be undertaken in order to sufficiently manage the tree.

This may often only involve removing the lower branches to increase clearance for pedestrians and vehicle traffic, and/or cutting back the branches from adjacent buildings.

A reduction of the overall size of the tree is usually undertaken for managing the potential risk of subsidence damage or where the tree has been managed by crown reduction historically.

The Council will not remove a tree or undertake unnecessary pruning works where there is no good arboricultural reason.

The Council will undertake works to fulfil its legal obligations to ensure the safety of the public and properties.

Tree removal or pruning will not be undertaken to:

  • Improve reception for satellite TV reception
  • Increase amount of sunlight reaching properties or gardens
  • Alleviate seasonal or naturally occurring problems, eg falling leaves, fruit, seeds or berries, bird droppings, pollen
  • Allow for vehicle crossovers, except in extenuating circumstances

Tree works will be undertaken:

  • Where an inspection has identified the tree is potentially hazardous
  • To abate an actionable nuisance, where branches are touching buildings, eg physical contact with walls, windows and gutters
  • When previous maintenance regimes have determined that future works are of the same specification for that specimen, eg pollarding, crown reduction
|back to top

Tree Planting Programme

Planting the ‘right tree in the right place’ is one of the objectives of the Councils Tree Strategy. The careful selection of appropriate tree species and planting location is essential to minimise future nuisance issues and unnecessary maintenance costs.

The choice of tree species is dependent on suitability to the planting location. The selection of street trees is guided by their mature size, water demand, crown shape and future management requirements.

Species planted in parks, open spaces and housing estates will be selected on suitability to setting, biodiversity value and visual appearance.

Areas targeted for new tree planting are those where trees have been removed or where there is an identified need to increase the overall tree cover. Requests from local residents for new trees in their road or area will be taken into consideration within the planting programme.

|back to top

Tree Sponsorship

Sponsoring a tree in Haringey is an easy way to help improve and feel a sense of ownership for your local environment and it is very easy to do.

|back to top

Tree Related Damage to Private Property

If a Council owned tree is causing damage to your property, you must first contact your home insurance company. They will investigate the matter and collect any evidence of structural damage to support any potential claim. These reports should be sent to:

  • Haringey Council Insurance Section,
    Alexandra House
    10 Station Road
    Wood Green
    N22 4TR
|back to top

Privately Owned Trees

If a tree is growing on privately owned land, then the maintenance rests entirely with the landowner. If the tree is causing damage to your property, you must contact the tree owner.

|back to top

Works to Privately Owned Trees

Before you begin work on any tree, you must always find out if it is covered by a Tree Preservation Orders (TPO) or that you live in a Conservation Area. If the tree is protected, you will need written consent from the council to carry out the work.

If written consent is not obtained, and work is carried out on a protected tree, the owner or person carrying out the work may be prosecuted and fined up to £20,000.

|back to top

Street Trees

Street trees are an integral and sometimes historical component of the urban landscape and as such are valued by local residents. Haringey has a street tree population in excess of 11,000 trees and is increasing the total year on year.

Street trees are inspected regularly, with pruning works being carried out where necessary. London Plane and Limes trees are predominantly managed by pollarding on a three year cycle.

The remaining ornamental street trees are maintained on a four yearly cycle. The current programme of works for summer and winter 2012-13 can be found in the attached files section below.

|back to top

Trees on Housing Estates

Trees on council housing estates and gardens are managed by Homes for Haringey. Housing estates are inspected every four years and pruning works are carried out where necessary.

If you have a request for tree works, please contact your Tenancy Management Officer (TMO). Call 0800 195 3404 or 020 8489 5611 or visit the Homes for Haringey website (external link).

|back to top

Trees in Parks and Open Spaces

Trees in parks and open spaces are managed by the Parks Service. They are inspected regularly with pruning works being carried out for health and safety reasons only.

|back to top

Trees in Woodlands and Conservation Sites

Trees in woodlands and conservation sites are also managed by the Parks Service. Pruning works are only undertaken for health and safety reasons and in accordance with the priorities in our Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP).

|back to top

Attached Files

The following links are not part of the Haringey Council website. Please read our legal disclaimer before using these links

Page Last Updated: 17 December 2012

If you want to give comments on the service itself please visit our Contact page.