Tree inspection process

Tree felling

Requests for felling trees from the public will not be considered. In general terms the reason for the felling of a tree or trees will be for one or a combination of the following:

• Dead, dying or dangerous such as a fungal pathogen that compromises tree stability
• Pest and disease control
• Good arboricultural /silvicultural practice - thinning woodland or glade creation.
• Biodiversity works - heathland or chalk grassland restoration.
• Coppicing for flora such as native bluebells.
• Invasive alien species- not in keeping with the location or site management objectives.
• Tree(s) implicated in a subsidence insurance claim where technical evidence has been produced to support the claim.
• Subsidence management strategy in area with a history of claims and clay soil that may lead to further claims.

If felling/tree removal is urgently required, on Borough owned land, due to a tree pest, disease or public safety issue, an emergency felling licence can be acquired through the Forestry Commission (FC), provided sufficient evidence and reasoning is submitted with the felling licence application. Further information can be found in the Felling Licence Online - User Guide (Operations Note 45) (Gov.UK).

Tree planting

From time to time as it may be necessary to carry out tree planting where trees have been lost to pest and disease, or continuity of tree cover is desirable to maintain the character of site or maintain screening. Memorial trees may also be planted on selected sites were agreed with the arboricultural officer. It should be noted however that these memorial tree planting sites are very limited across the Borough due the predominate woodland element of the majority of the Borough’s sites. Opportunities for individual specimen trees are better suited to formalised sites such as the cemetery sites, Redhill Memorial Park or in some parts of Priory Park in Reigate.

Please note that we do not accept tree donations from home-grown trees. This is due to pest and disease issues and poor-quality stock that may be spread from an unknown / untraceable source. Our trees are purchased through reputable suppliers who comply with the relevant legislation such as codes of practice and can trace the back the source of the supplied tree should the need arise.

In woodland areas natural regeneration will be the primary means of re stocking unless stocking levels require a boost in density or diversification of species by grant schemes.