Privately Owned Trees
There are several forms of restriction that can be applied to privately-owned trees. To find out whether your property is affected by any of these please contact our Customer Service Centre on 01344 352000.
Under the Town & Country Planning Acts, the Council is obliged to consider protecting trees under threat by development and also has a duty to identify and protect trees of significant visual amenity and heritage in the landscape. It is the job of the Tree Service to advise the Council on the protection and management of these trees. More information is available below:
- Tree Preservation Orders
- Conservation Areas
- Restrictive Covenants
- Planning Conditions
- Consultations and Advice
- Employing an Arborist (Tree Surgeon)
The Tree Service is unable to provide a consultation service and cannot give detailed, private tree advice unless the tree in question is within our business remit; for example it may be subject to any of the forms of protection or it may constitute a legal hazard to the public.
For basic tree advice on maintenance and quotations for work, we recommend you contact an Arboricultural Association Approved Contractor. For a more extensive list of contractors and a list of consultants who can assist you with more complex tree matters and involved investigations; visit the Arboricultural Association website.
Other organisations and websites can provide you with information and advice on trees and their management. These organisations are listed to the right.
Employing an Arborist (Tree Surgeon)
Bracknell Forest Tree Service recommends contractors that are members of the Arboricultural Association (AA) and have undergone testing and accreditation to meet industry standards. The Arboricultural Association (Tel. 01794 368717) is a national charitable organisation working towards raising standards of tree-care.
The Arboricultural Association ‘Approved Contractor’ scheme examines and accredits companies for, amongst other aspects; safe working practices and technical competence to British Standard 3998 ‘Recommendations for Tree Work’.
You can also use the Yellow Pages and Thompson Directory to find companies; however, be aware of these basic points:
- Bona-fide tree-surgeons do not knock on doors to get business, and certainly not in the evening or at weekends!
- If they do leave a business card it should have a name (personal or company), a full address and telephone number - not just a mobile phone number.
- Always get at least two quotes.
- Always be at home when the work is being done.
- Do not part with any money until you judge the work to be completed; ask for an invoice/receipt and pay by cheque.
In selecting your contractor ask them the following:
- Are they insured?
Request to see evidence of current insurance such as Public Liability & Employers Liability - What Standards do they work to?
Should be ‘British Standard 3998’ - What qualifications do they or their staff have?
Compulsory and minimum certification for ‘NPTC – Chainsaw use’ - Will they provide a written specification of work with a quotation?
If ‘No’, reject this contractor. - Are they a member of a professional organisation?
Membership does not guarantee work standards but shows a degree of commitment. - Will they provide you with an address/phone number of a previous client who can vouch for their work?
If yes, make that call and view the work.
Before deciding, make sure the quote contains:
- References to BS 3998: ‘Recommendations for Tree Work’.
- Full and clear details (in language you understand) of the work to be undertaken.
- An explanation of who disposes of the debris and how?
- Information on who will be responsible for obtaining permission if the trees are protected?
- A statement of what steps will be taken to protect you and your property during the works?
Council approval must first be obtained before any work is carried out to these trees.
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