Trees

We cannot carry out non-essential tree work, such as  cutting back branches overhanging a property (unless they are causing damage or in direct contact with a property).  We focus our limited resources where they are most needed, such as work to trees which reduces the risk of harm to persons or property.

We cannot carry out non-essential tree work, such as removing or pruning trees to prevent dropping of honeydew during the summer months and/or tree seeds and leaves in the late summer and autumn.  We focus our limited resources where they are most needed, such as work to trees which reduces the risk of harm to persons or property.

We cannot carry out non-essential tree work, such as work to increase light levels to a nearby property.  We focus our limited resources where they are most needed, such as work to trees which reduces the risk of harm to persons or property.

Occupiers of a property have a right in common law to carry out some light pruning to overhanging branches coming from trees on neighbouring land, including council owned trees. If you are unsure how much pruning you can do, please ask the advice of an Arboricultural Association approved contractor.

Please note: you still need to request permission to cut overhanging branches from a protected tree or any tree within a Conservation Area.

We only prune trees for essential safety work when our inspections show that there is risk of harm from tree failure, or if trees are in direct contact with property or blocking access.

We greatly value all our trees and only ever fell trees as a last resort when there is no other way they can be safely kept. We try to keep trees wherever possible, including dead trees, or dead wood on the ground in areas where this does not represent a hazard to people or property. Dead wood is a very important resource for wildlife.

We don't inspect street trees.

If you have a question about a tree on a street please contact: Surrey County Council.

We carry out regular tree risk management inspections on the trees in parks, countryside sites, car parks, cemeteries and all council housing land. We do this make sure that the risk of harm from our trees is as low as possible.

Once we have inspected a tree any work will be done in good time. Less urgent works will be grouped together and carried out when we can next arrange a large-scale contract. This depends on time of year (e.g. avoiding bird nesting season, waiting until winter, etc), our workload and the money available.

Trees and woodland play a prominent role in the Surrey landscape. Trees have an intrinsic appeal as landscape and cultural features. They also have a high biological and heritage value. For further information on the benefits of trees please visit the following websites:

Forestry Commission

Arboriculture Association