COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, February 21, 2018

MOTION NO. 3

MOTION: Councillor B. Bonner

"This committee commends the tree pruning programme and the progress made in various parts of Clondalkin to date.  However, it recognises the concerns of some residents who decry the felling of some beautiful, mature trees.  Could a report be presented on the council's approach to tree maintenance, emphasising it's mainly conservative ethos which generally dictates that trees are not removed without very good reason and that trees once removed are generally replaced with a tree that is suited to the location." 

REPORT:

The Council’s approach to tree management seeks in the first instance to promote a better understanding of the value of trees to the urban community. Street trees can transform the character of a street and provide numerous environmental, aesthetic, cultural, social and economic benefits for the residents of South Dublin County. While complaints about trees are received from some, the Council recognises that many other residents and groups appreciate the importance of trees.  In this regard, the Council is committed to managing the established tree population in line with contemporary best practice and to planting new trees to ensure that their visual amenity and other values in South Dublin are assured for future generations.

The Council acknowledges that trees under its ownership/management are sometimes implicated in issues that are not always attributable to the tree. Many such issues can frequently be resolved by alternative remedial measures that do not require unnecessary removal or pruning of a tree. It is also recognised that residents’ views on trees can vary greatly and a tree that is of great value and beauty to one person can be perceived as an unsightly nuisance to another. The Council’s role is to try to achieve a compromise, which is acceptable to the community at large but not necessarily to every individual within the community and to safeguard the tree population for the future, within available resources. Wherever possible the Council’s approach to tree management seeks to strike a balance between the nuisance experienced by individuals, the actual level of risk involved as opposed to perceived risk and the benefits offered by the tree to the wider community. It is important to recognise that the removal of a street tree will often negate the benefit of 30-40 years or more of growth. This asset is not easily replaced and the Council has a duty to act responsibly in managing a sustainable tree population for both current and future generations. 

It is in this context that the Council's tree management policy 2015-2020 "Living With Trees" sets out the criteria for removal of a tree. Trees are removed only when necessary as a last resort where an issue cannot be reasonably addressed by an alternative solution and where proactive tree management has had no mitigating effect. It is not the Council's policy to remove healthy trees unless there are exceptional circumstances which are dealt with on a case by case basis. Every effort is made to preserve and protect public trees from needless removal until such time that removal is considered warranted and prudent.

The following criteria are used in evaluating a public tree for possible removal: 

• The tree is dead, dying or is considered hazardous due to its poor structural or biological condition, Hazardous conditions may exist above and/or below ground and may include significant root, trunk or crown decay, split trunks and crotches, and large dead limbs.
• The tree has declined beyond the point of recovery and is no longer meeting the functional or aesthetic requirements of a street tree. Typically, a tree with 30 percent or less of its foliage remaining would meet this criterion.
• Fatally diseased trees (eg. Ash dieback, Fireblight Disease) may be removed before they reach the primary threshold in order to prevent the spread of disease to healthy trees.
• To allow space for development of nearby trees that may be more desirable for retention.
• To allow space for new planting.
• To make way for any approved engineering or building works when unavoidable construction work will immediately compromise the stability or viability of the tree.
• Tree proven to be causing significant structural damage that cannot be reasonably addressed by an alternative solution and proactive tree management has had no mitigating effect.
• To abate actionable nuisance.
• The trunk of the tree is within 2m of a public lighting column and the long term viability of the tree if retained in its location would be compromised by a requirement for ongoing maintenance in order to maintain the effectiveness of the adjoining street light.

 The Council’s tree management policy also specifies a number of circumstances that are not considered acceptable reasons for street tree removal. These include: 

• Trees are perceived to be too large.
• Satellite dish TV reception is interrupted.
• Sunlight may be blocked from reaching properties or gardens.
• Views are obstructed.
• Seasonal or naturally occurring events happen, e.g. falling leaves, fruit, seeds or berries, honeydew sap, bird droppings, pollen allergies.
• Insects or other non-hazardous wildlife are present.

In regard to replacement tree planting, the Council aims to ensure, subject to available resources, that every tree felled is replaced to ensure that over the years, the County retains its tree stock for future generations. However, it is not always practical or prudent to replace a tree in the same location or with the same species that was previously planted. If a site where a tree was removed is suitable to support a new tree, the site may be replanted with a suitable tree species. In some instances where it may not be possible to plant the replacement tree in the same spot due to the presence of utilities and other concerns, the tree is planted at the nearest available location within the streetscape or a nearby area of public open space. Because sufficient time needs to elapse to allow breakdown of any residual tree stump and underground root material, the process from removal to replanting may take up to 3-5 years.