Trees

Trees are important for many reasons including:

  • biodiversity
  • landscape
  • cultural heritage
  • carbon reduction
  • production of oxygen
  • flood alleviation
  • helping to cool built-up areas

We recognise the value of trees and often refer to them as living assets.

Biodiversity

Trees are part of biodiversity and can provide a home for all kinds of species. Before carrying out work to trees, we make sure that it will not cause any disturbance or any other negative impact on biodiversity.

Find out more about biodiversity in Denbighshire.

Tree maintenance

We will only alter the physical form of, or fell, a tree where there is a health and safety issue or proven damage to a property. Decisions will always be made in the long-term interest of the general public and the tree(s). 

All council owned trees will be left to reach their natural height and shape unless they are a risk to health and safety.

The health of trees with diseases will be monitored. Each tree will be assessed on an individual basis and the felling of a diseased tree is considered a last resort.

Grass cutting around trees

We are taking steps to improve the health of trees on council land. As part of our commitment to biodiversity and to tackling the climate change and ecological emergency, we want to take a lighter-touch approach to grass-cutting in our parks and communal areas.

Established trees in our parks and on our streets have most of their roots in the top few feet of soil underneath their canopy. When heavy machinery (like a mower) is used on this soil or enough people walk on it, the soil can become compacted, which makes it harder for the tree to absorb the oxygen, water and nutrients it needs to grow.

To prevent damage to the roots from this compacted soil, we plan on only cutting the grass around the trees once or twice each year using light equipment. We hope that this will discourage too many people from walking over the roots and give the soil time to recover and for the tree to thrive. The un-cut grass will grow into new bee meadows, attracting the insects and small mammals that are so important for biodiversity. We look after newly-planted trees in a different way, using mulch around the trunk to prevent water being lost and to keep down grass and weeds.

We are very grateful for your support in our efforts to protect and preserve the plants and wildlife in our green spaces and thank you for your help in looking after all the trees so precious to our communities. If you’d like to talk to a member of our team about this, please email us at trees@denbighshire.gov.uk.

Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs)

TPOs make it an offence to cut down, prune or otherwise damage certain trees.

Find out more about TPOs

Reporting a problem

Problems we can help with

We make sure all of the trees on public land are kept in an acceptable condition and do not put people and property at risk. 

Damage to properties

Council owned trees that are suspected of causing damage to dwellings or services will not be pruned or felled without sufficient conclusive evidence such as Structural Engineer or Chartered Surveyor reports. In some cases, we may need to get the views of our own Structural Engineer or specialist before we take action.

We will not fell or prune trees, or cut the roots of trees, causing disruption to pavements, kerbs, garden paths or walls. Engineering solutions will be sought in these cases.

Dangerous trees

If a Council owned tree poses an immediate high risk to people or property, we will arrange for a tree contractor (arborist) to make the tree safe as soon as possible.

If a Council owned tree is identified as dangerous, but the risk to the public is not high, then the tree will be made safe depending on the degree of risk identified at the time of inspection.

If a dangerous tree is privately owned, the owners will be notified and requested to make the tree safe as soon as possible. We have powers under the Highways Act 1980 to ensure that trees on private property do not cause a hazard on the adjacent road. We may take enforcement action or carry out the work and seek to recover costs if necessary.

Highways, roads and footpaths

We will undertake work to council owned trees to maintain a minimum 2.5 metres height clearance over a footpath associated with a street, highway or road, and 3 metres where there are cycling rights. Any works necessary to prevent the obstruction in the width of a footpath associated with the highway due to the presence of a Council owned tree will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

We will undertake work to council owned trees to maintain clear sight lines (where reasonably feasible) at junctions and other points (associated with a street, road or highway).

We will not remove or cut the roots of a tree that is causing the uplift of a pavement. In these cases, engineering solutions will be sought.

Ivy

Ivy does not harm healthy trees and is an important part of biodiversity. It provides a nesting location for several bird species and an important source of nectar and pollen for many invertebrates late in the year.

We will only cut or prune ivy from council owned trees if there is a risk to the public's health and safety.

Lampposts

Where Council owned trees are obstructing artificial light cast from lampposts this will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.

Pruning of trees

All tree work undertaken by, or on behalf of, the Council will be in accordance with accepted practice set out in arboricultural British and European Standards and guidelines. Trees will only be pruned if they are considered to be dangerous, obstructive to vehicles or pedestrians, are directly touching property, or require intervention for arboricultural purposes.

Report a problem

You can report a problem with a tree online.

Report a problem with a tree

Where we will not take action

We will not fell or prune trees, or cut the roots of trees, to;

  • stop roots entering a drain that is already broken or damaged
  • reduce natural events like the seasonal fall of blossom, leaves and fruit, or the spread of honeydew 
  • increase natural light entering a property
  • allow installation of solar panels on private dwellings
  • prevent interference with TV/satellite installation/reception
  • improve the view from a private property

Trees on private property

We are not responsible for trees on private property.

If a tree is encroaching onto your property, you have a common law right to remove (abate) the nuisance. However, you can only remove those parts of the tree from the point where they cross the boundary of your property with any arisings being returned to the property owner.

We recommend discussing your intention to prune encroaching branches with your neighbour and consult a professional tree surgeon for guidance on how best to prune back.

Before any works, you should find out if the trees are owned by the Council and if they are protected by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) or are within a conservation area.

Problems dealt with by other organisations

If a tree is interfering with power or telephone lines, the issue can be reported to the relevant company.

Power lines

Telephone lines

Openreach (external website)