COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF LUCAN AREA COMMITTEE
Tuesday, May 22, 2018
QUESTION NO. 2
QUESTION: Councillor P. Gogarty
"To ask the Chief Executive for an update on the implentation of the tree programme, including a report outlining the reasons for the cutting of trees in each estate surveyed, eg diseased, roots causing damage etc; and if a statement could be made on the matter?"
REPLY:
Since 2016, the focus of the annual Tree Maintenance Programme is on entire roads or whole estates as opposed to acting on isolated requests for arboricultural works. This represents a move away from reactive pruning of individual trees on a one off basis to a planned programme of maintenance.
In order to further increase efficiency in planning and delivery of the Council’s tree maintenance service, a 3 Year Rolling Programme of Tree Maintenance has been put in place for 2017-2019. This programme is available to view on the Council’s website www.sdcc.ie. The programme is informed and prioritised based on the health and condition of trees through ongoing tree inspections and on cluster analysis of customer care enquiries. In advance of commencing works within an estate or road, a full survey of all trees at the location is carried out to inform the programme and scheduling of tree pruning and removal works for all trees in the estate or road that are identified as requiring tree maintenance.
Since January 1, 2018, tree maintenance works have been completed in the following areas in Lucan / Palmerstown: Airlie Heights, Ardeevin, Mount Andrew, Culmore Road, Palmerstown Avenue, Palmerstown Court and Woodview Heights.
In addition to the planned whole estate and road programme, reactive and emergency works are carried out on individually located trees as necessary in order to manage risks to the public. This service is for dangerous trees such as trees with large hanging branches, where a tree is in danger of falling, or where a tree has actually fallen. If a tree is identified as posing an immediate and present danger, action will be taken to make the tree safe. Emergency works are also carried out where a tree is rendered hazardous as a result of severe weather conditions. Emergency and reactive tree works will normally take priority over the planned programme of tree maintenance works in estates.
The Council’s Tree Management Policy 2015-2020 ‘Living with Trees’ sets out the Council’s rationale and policies in regard to the pruning and removal of trees. The Tree Management Policy is available to view on the Council’s website www.sdcc.ie.
In general, the Council will wherever possible try to avoid removing a tree or undertaking unnecessary pruning works where there is no good arboriculture reason. The Council has a duty to manage the tree population for the benefit of the wider community and in accordance with good arboriculture practices and cil will carry out tree works to fulfil its legal obligations to ensure the safety of the public and properties. Tree works will be undertaken:
- Where an inspection has identified visible decay, fungal brackets indicating possible root and
- trunk decay or any other defect that would lead to the tree failing.
- A tree is dead or visibly in decline.
- To abate an actionable nuisance, where branches are touching buildings, e.g. physical
- contact with walls, windows and gutters.
- Where road signs, traffic signals, street lights, and sightlines for vehicles and pedestrians are
- obscured.
- Evidence has been provided that the tree is a contributing factor in causing structural
- damage that cannot be reasonably addressed by an alternative solution and proactive tree
- management has had no mitigating effect.
Tree removal or pruning will not be undertaken where:
- 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.