Trees
Benefits of trees
These are just some of the benefits trees bring to our urban
environment:
- a mature tree can provide enough oxygen in a year for the needs
of 10 people
- trees help to improve air quality by trapping pollutants and
toxic particles
- trees absorb harmful gases such as carbon monoxide and sulphur
dioxide
- trees provide shelter and shade
- trees slow down wind speed and reduce air turbulence around
buildings
- trees soften the harshness of the urban landscape
- research has shown that people recover from illness quicker if
they can see trees and green areas
- trees improve the appearance of the borough, attracting both
residential and commercial investment.
Tree maintenance
The council has professional tree officers who regularly inspect
trees to ensure that they are safe, in good condition and to
pinpoint any work requirements.
Specialist tree contractors are employed to carry out all
appropriate tree maintenance to trees owned by the council.
If you have any queries or would like advice about tree care and
maintenance please use the contact details below.
Emergency tree works
We operate a 24-hour tree emergency service for council owned
trees, or for private trees that have fallen onto council owned
land. This service is for dangerous trees, such as trees with large
hanging branches, where a tree is in danger of falling or has
actually fallen.
For emergencies between 9am - 5pm, please telephone the tree
section on 020 736 5000 or 020 7364 7104.
During the hours between 5pm - 9am residents should contact the
out-of-hours emergency service on 020 7364 7070.
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Privately owned trees
Advice for private tree owners
- Prior to carrying out any work on a tree always contact the
local authority to ensure that the trees are not protected by a
Tree Protection Order, planning constraints or that the tree falls
within a conservation area
- Always employ a suitably trained professional tree surgeon, who
is covered by public liability insurance, ask for proof.
- Never employ house callers or leaflet droppers claiming to be
professional tree surgeons
- Reputable tree surgeons will always have some form of
professional identification and qualification proof. Always ask to
see this.
Do
- inspect your trees regularly
- ask for advice if you are concerned about anything
- ask for advice about fungus or cavities
- check for dead or broken branches that may be dangerous if they
fall.
Don't
- carry out unnecessary pruning
- alter the ground level under a tree, including the excavation
or building up the ground
- build near a tree
- burn any rubbish or bonfires near a tree.
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Tree protection
The development, design and conservation team is responsible for
trees that are covered by Tree Preservation Orders, or those that
are present within a Conservation Area.
Through Tree Preservation Orders we give legal protection to
certain trees or woodland. A conservation area is an area of
special architectural or historic interest.
Programmed tree planting
Tower Hamlets Council is using a number of innovative strategies
to increase its tree population. This is achieved through a range
of partnership agreements with the third sector, such as Trees for
Cities and Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park.
A thousand standard trees have been planted in the borough's
streets and parks over the last 10 years and, in addition, a
considerably higher number of young whips have been planted
throughout the borough.
The programme is based on replacing mature trees that have been
removed, planting avenues of trees along streets which previously
had none, and carrying out planned planting in parks and open
spaces.
Please contact us if you would like trees along your street.
Nesting birds
The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 protects wild birds from
being disturbed during nesting. We are fully aware of this act and
will not knowingly start work on a tree where birds are
nesting.
Trees on red routes, housing estates and housing
associations
Transport for London is responsible for the maintenance of trees
on red routes.
For trees in council housing estates, please contact you local
housing office. For trees on property owned by a housing
association, please contact your housing association.
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Frequently asked questions about trees
When will the council owned trees be pruned?
The majority of council owned street trees are pruned on a
three- five year cycle. Trees in parks will be pruned according to
their individual requirements. Additional tree works may
occasionally take place if a tree is found to be dead, diseased or
dangerous.
Do you have a tree planting programme?
We have an annual tree planting programme. The programme
includes all council owned land and is not restricted to street
tree planting.
If you are aware of any empty tree pits, or would like to
suggest a new site for planting, please contact us.
I would like to have a tree removed. What should I do?
Trees owned by us are normally only removed if they are dead,
dying, dangerous. For trees that are privately owned the owner
should always contact the development, design and conservation team
as the tree may be covered by a Tree Preservation Order, or exist
within a conservation area.
Should I contact you about pruning or felling a tree in my
private garden?
Trees in private property can be subject to Tree Preservation
Orders, or are protected as part of a conservation area. Prior to
carrying out any work on a tree, always contact the council's
development.
Contact us:
Parks and Opens Spaces
Mulberry Place (AH)
PO Box 55739
5 Clove Crescent
London
E14 1BY
Office opening hours are: 9.00am to 5.00pm on Monday to
Friday
Tel: 020 7364 7104
Fax: 020 7364 3286
Email: parks@towerhamlets.gov.uk