COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, September 09, 2024

QUESTION NO. 10

QUESTION: Councillor C. Brady

To ask the Chief Executive, given that not all estates are serviced within the three year maintenance plan cycle, can you outline how long it takes to complete tree maintenance across the county?

REPLY:

The Council to date have through it's survey work recorded in excess of 60,000 street trees in the county. On average the Council look to maintain between 7,500 and 10,000 trees per year equating to an 8-10 year cycle. This programme is heavily impacted by emergency works across any given year which have to be added to the planned works as per the approved programme. 

The return period will vary from estate to estate and depends on numerous factors but most importantly the tree species, some of which require more regular maintenance than others.  This programme of planned cyclical maintenance commenced with the first 3 year programme from 2017 to 2019, we are now half way through the third 3 year programme for the period 2023 to 2025.  While some estates which were included in the first programme have been included in the current programme for a return visit, it is neither necessary or possible to do this for every estate.  And in some cases an estate will be receiving it's first visit in this third cycle of three year planned maintenance.  The preparation of the 3 year programme is determined by knowledge and information available on each estate with regard to the general condition of the trees within an estate and priorities are determined with regard to the level of urgency which applies at each location.