COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
Monday, March 11, 2024
QUESTION NO.32
QUESTION: Councillor J. Sinnott
To ask the chief executive what the criteria is for tree pruning or tree removal in the public realm in the South Dublin County Council area?
REPLY:
The Council's first Tree Management Strategy 'Living with trees' which was adopted by the Council in 2016 and a comprehensive review which included public consultation was approved by the Council in 2021. The current Tree Management Policy provides a framework to inform and support decisions made by the Council on the management and development of a sustainable tree population in the County. Regular updates on its progress are given at Area Committees. It deals comprehensively with all issues relating to tree management and maintenance including tree felling and pruning policies and these can be found under sections 2, 4 & 6 of the strategy document which is available on the Council's website at the following location SDCC Tree Management Policy 2021 - 2026.
Section 4.3 of the document deals with reasons for tree pruning and felling as follows -
The Council will wherever possible try to avoid removing a tree or undertaking unnecessary pruning works where there is no good arboriculture reason. It has a duty to manage the tree population for the benefit of the wider community and in accordance with good arboriculture practices.
The Council will undertake 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, for example, 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, for example, falling leaves, fruit, seeds or berries, honeydew sap, bird droppings, pollen allergies.
- Insects or other non-hazardous wildlife are present.
Section 4.3.1 states the following in relation to tree pruning -
The type of pruning works undertaken depends on the tree’s location and its species. Bad or unnecessary pruning can do more harm than good since each cut has the potential to change the growth of a tree, cause damage or allow the entry of wood decaying organisms, therefore no branch should be removed without a good reason. Older trees do not tolerate pruning as well as younger trees and substantial pruning can be very damaging. The effect of pruning also varies between species and some are not naturally tolerant of cutting. In general, minimal pruning works will be undertaken in order to sufficiently manage a tree. This may often only involve removing the lower branches to increase clearance for pedestrians and vehicle traffic and / or cutting back the branches from adjacent buildings.
Section 4.3.2 of the document states the following in relation to formative pruning -
Young immature trees, particularly in an urban setting, can benefit from pruning in their formative years. This should be carried out in accordance with British Standard BS 3998: 2010 Tree Work – Recommendations as required throughout the early years of a tree’s life in the landscape. It involves removing crossing branches and potentially weak forks to encourage a good natural shape, reduce health issues and reduce the need for major pruning when the tree is mature.
Section 4.3.3 states the following in relation to the 'topping' of trees -
Topping of trees (reduction in height) causes large wounds, exposing trees to decay pathogens and causing their long term decline, as well as being unsightly and potentially unsafe. Topping is therefore only considered where trees have serious defects, that cannot be reasonably addressed otherwise, and their short-term retention is essential or highly desirable. It is often the view of residents that removing the crown or ‘topping’ a tree or trees will improve light levels or views or improve reception to TVs, satellites and so on. Whereas this may be true in the short term, any pruning, but especially ‘topping’, will cause decline in some species or rapid growth in others. Regrowth resulting from ‘topping’ will often be denser than the original crown and be weakly attached to the branches it develops from. Wounds associated with topping are often large and are more likely to be colonised by wood decaying fungi. ‘Topping’ is not good practice and can lead to dangerous trees in the future. For these reasons the Council will not ‘top’ trees.
Section 4.3.4 states the following in relation to the removal of trees -
Trees are removed only when necessary as a last resort. The criteria for tree removal are:
- 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 (for example, 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
- Where a tree is located in close proximity to a public lighting column