COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, September 09, 2024

QUESTION NO.14

QUESTION: Councillor C. Brady

To ask the Chief Executive what options are available in the case of mature estates where it becomes clear that the trees originally planted in the estate were inappropriate and have now become a serious nuisance?

REPLY:

All actions undertaken in managing South Dublin County Council's tree stock are guided by the Council's tree management policy ‘Living with Trees’ 2021-2026.  The Council's policy commits to retaining as many trees as possible across the County and only removing where absolutely necessary, this matter is dealt with in the tree policy and the possible reasons for removal of a tree as stated in the policy are listed below.  Actions required to be taken in relation to trees are dictated on a case by case basis, analysing and observing how the tree exists within its immediate location and how it will develop into the future.  However should a tree be presenting itself as a clear and obvious hazard, any works deemed as necessary will be conducted within an appropriate timeframe and in line with the required actions which are obtained from a detailed inspection of the tree in question.  If a situation were to arise where a large number of trees in one location are required to be removed then this would have to be done as part of a plan devised to address the issue over a number of years and which would include proposals for replacement planting. Trees are removed only when necessary as a last resort, the criteria for tree removal as stated in 'Living with Trees' are as follows:

• 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