COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, July 14, 2025

MOTION NO. 1

MOTION: Councillor N. Fennell

That this Council agrees to a policy whereby stronger, more mature trees saplings are planted in place (and as opposed to not replanting), where trees have previously been vandalised or are considered to be more vulnerable to anti-social destructive episodes. 

REPORT:

A wide variety of factors are considered prior to trees being planted across the County. As per the ‘Living with Trees’ policy document the approach of Right Tree, Right Place is prioritised. This ensures that the correct specimens and sized trees are planted in the correct locations to give the best chance of survival, development and contribution to the area. The majority of trees planted are being placed in urban environments which tend to be restricted in terms of space as a result of footpaths, roads, underground services, above ground services and at times the soil conditions. The current size of trees planted vary to suit their specific locations and while cost may be a factor, tree sizes are selected for the most part to provide the best opportunity possible for a tree to thrive.  The Council engages contractors to supply, plant and maintain trees over a two year period. Should a tree fail as a result of natural causes the contractor is responsible with its replacement. If a tree is vandalised however the Council must carry the cost of removal, replacement and the continued maintenance of the newly planted tree. 

Trees vary significantly in cost depending on the age, maturity, growth rate and species type as well as how the trees are harvested for planting. Younger species tend to have a higher survival rate and are more likely to thrive whereas more mature specimens have a much higher likelihood to fail. Therefore there is greater certainty in planting the slightly smaller specimens. In addition the more mature trees are significantly more expensive. On average the trees planted by the Council at present cost from €180 to €410 per tree and while the cost more than doubles from the smaller to the larger size, the diameter of tree only increases by12mm. The higher cost coupled with the potential for failure demonstrates that the smaller specimens provide better value for money and if let grow will contribute to the area in the same way.  The annual tree planting programme for 2025 aims to plant 3,500 trees across the county and in order to achieve this a balance must be found between the size and cost of trees to be planted and the overall aim to reach the planting target.  Use of the higher cost of tree obviously has the potential to use up a disproportionately high portion of the budget which would have a negative impact on the Council's ability to implement it's tree maintenance programme.

It is worth noting that the size of tree does not necessarily mean that it is less likely to be vandalised. For example the vandalism of 25 mature specimen trees in Dodder Valley Park in 2024 was carried out using a power saw. These specimens were larger than would normally be planted but were susceptible to vandalism due to the use of the saw.  Other acts of tree vandalism recorded have involved the use of other hand tools such as hatchets and axes.