Trees
We look after trees in parks and open spaces. If a tree is in a garden or on private land, it is the landowner's responsibility. To find out who owns a piece of land, you should contact the Land Registry.
Before carrying out any work on trees, you will need to check whether they have a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) or are located in a conservation area.
What we deal with
On land owned by us, we deal with:
- the health of the tree
- the safety of the tree
- fallen trees
- damage being caused by the tree
We do not deal with a tree if it is about:
- light or shading
- blocked TV signals
- falling leaves or seeds
- overhanging branches
- trees that border the highway as these are maintained by Kent County Council.
If you're concerned about tree pests and diseases, visit the Forestry Commission Website.
Dead or dangerous trees
You can let us know if there is a dead or dangerous tree, we will need to know:
- the species of the tree
- where the tree is
- photographs of the tree showing the problem
The Woodland Trust has a tree guide to help you identify which species it is, or they also have a tree ID app that will help you identify a tree by photographing it.
You can provide us with the address, select the location on the map or to give us the exact location you can tell us the what3words location.
What happens next
Once we have received your report we will review it within seven working days.
Overhanging branches
While landowners are responsible for ensuring their trees are safe, they do not have to cut back overhanging branches. You can cut them back to your boundary if they're overhanging your property. However, if the tree is protected, you'd still need to get permission from us first.