Tree Maintenance
Also known as Arboriculture, tree maintenance is the care and management of trees and woodland:
- to enhanced beauty in our city
- for nature conservation
- for educational purposes
It only takes a few careless minutes to damage the beauty and health of a tree. This is why our Tree Surgeons follow the BS 3998:2010 standard.
How we protect our trees
Our inspection programme is a cost-effective and common-sense approach to risk management of council trees. Trees that pose the highest risk are on roads, footpaths, parks and open spaces are inspected as a priority every 2 years. All other council trees are inspected and assessed over a 4-year period according to their priority.
This approach both protects the city's trees for future generations to enjoy and manages risk to people and property.
We will also deal with requests that come into us. See what we do.
Why protect the trees?
Cleaner Air
Mature trees act as air filters, removing 10kg of dust from the air each day. This benefits everyone, especially children and older people with respiratory problems. This makes trees very desirable along roads, busy streets and shopping areas.
Reduce the greenhouse effect
A large mature tree can take 2.5 kg of Carbon Dioxide from the air and provide 1.7 kg of vital oxygen every hour. Every year, one tree can produce enough of this oxygen for ten people.
Every individual tree plays its part
In the past, we have thought of each tree as a separate entity. We now realise we should treat trees in our city as an important component within the Urban Forest.
Make the City a more desirable place to be
Good tree cover:
- softens the skyline around the City
- provides pleasant views to people travelling through the City
- increases house prices
- encourages investment
- reduces the effect of pollution
- cuts down traffic noise.
In summer these trees cool our built-up area and slow the runoff of water. They even provide somewhere shady to park the car beneath on a hot day.
What you can do
Requests from the public have a big impact on keeping the City green. Being aware of what we can deal with makes sure requests are well-grounded, reasoned and considerate. Without such consideration and care, many trees may be lost or damaged.
Please contact us if you see a tree that is damaged/unhealthy/diseased. Report someone you believe is or has pruned or cut down a council tree.
We will respond to all council tree enquiries within our service standards.