COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Tuesday, February 11, 2020

QUESTION NO. 7

QUESTION: Councillor C. O'Connor

To ask the Chief Executive to present an update on the implementation of the Council's Tree Programme following approval of additional funding at the Council's Budget Meeting; will he confirm that action is being taken in respect of urgent/emergency calls made regarding Trees and will he make a statement.

REPLY:

The 2020 Tree Programme will continue to implement the agreed cyclic street tree maintenance programme – this will involve the surveying of trees and the completion of the recommended tree maintenance resulting from the surveys. This will include tree pruning, removal and tree stump removal. An update on the 2020-2022 Tree Maintenance Programme will be presented to Area Committees in February.

The Council will continue to address the inspection and maintenance of mature trees and trees growing in challenging situations such as close to utilities, next to buildings etc. which require specialised treatment and skill, €450,000 of the additional funding has been allocated for this work.

It is also proposed to plant 2000 trees in 2020. The trees will be planted along streets and roads, in residential areas and in parks and open spaces.

The aims of the Council’s Tree Management Policy – Living with Trees- to improve tree management and create a safer, healthier tree population and implement a proactive, planned programme of cyclical tree maintenance.

Over the last 3 years, the following tree work has been carried out, over 26,000 trees surveyed, over 10,000 trees maintained and more than 4000 trees planted.