Council Policy on Trees
Background
Kew Society members understand the need for maintenance through pruning and sometimes felling
where trees are at the end of their life, are diseased or pose safety risks for pedestrians or motor
traffic. But members have raised concerns about a lack of forewarning or consultation on the
maintenance or felling of trees in the area and a lack of knowledge about replacement policies
where trees are felled.
Members have noticed trees being felled for the past two years, for example approximately 20 trees
felled in the vicinity of Marksbury Avenue, Attwood Avenue, Nylands Avenue, Pensford Avenue and
Taylor Avenue.
Some members are concerned that trees should always be preserved for as long as possible. Others
have said they believe a distinction should be made between trees in open spaces and those planted
many years previously that are along the roadside where they can now present a hazard and block
pavements for pedestrians, not least through raised roots. Some older trees have caused accidents
and deaths as in Richmond Park and Kew Gardens.
Some members have also questioned the Council’s policy only to issue a Tree Preservation Order for
trees in private gardens if a tree is clearly visible from the public domain rather than just from
neighbouring properties.
The purpose of the meeting is to hear more about the Council’s policy on tree maintenance and
protection and to explore whether there are ways in which communication with the Community and
opportunities for comment could be improved.
Generic Questions
Pruning and felling
1. Can you tell us what the Council’s policy is on pruning and felling Council trees? Are trees,
for example, only felled when there is no alternative and if so, how is this assessed and who
makes the assessment?
2. Is there a regular programme of assessment and if so, how often is it undertaken and when?
Are contractors and sub-contractors involved?
3. Is there an overall programme for maintaining and felling trees, for example at certain times
of year? Is it budget related? Is it location related?
4. A number of trees have been felled without warning in the community. Is there some way
the Council could notify people so we know what is happening, when and why? Perhaps
with a “notable tree” section on the Planning pages of the Council’s website, based perhaps
on size, age and prominence, to make people aware and invite comments. Or could the
Council provide the Community with a list of all “endangered” trees giving notice and a
justification for their removal?
5. Who is responsible for the trees on the South Circular Mortlake Road where about a dozen
trees have been felled in the last year? Is this TfL and if so in what way is the Council
involved?
6. What is the Council’s approach to raised roots which may be distorting pavements creating
difficulties for pedestrians?
7. Paving stones seem to be disappearing in favour of tarmac - is this a general policy?
Replacement
8. What is your policy on replacing trees that have been felled? Is this always done? If so when
and with what species of tree? (We understand there may be a time lag where trees were
diseased).
9. If trees are not being replaced, what are the reasons for non-replacement? Is it for example
location related? Some streets have had a few planted, others none. For example the
Avenue has replacement trees but not Attwood Road.
10. Are replacement trees imported and disease free?
11. What aftercare arrangements are in place for newly planted trees?
Tree Preservation Orders
12. What is the rationale for TPOs only being considered for privately owned trees where they
are visible from the public domain?
Specific trees
Plane Tree in Kew Village as a case study
Some members have expressed concern over the proposed removal of the large London plane in
Royal Parade, Kew Village both in terms of a lack of transparency in the decision making process and
also whether this tree needs to be removed at all. Others have commented that this tree should be
removed and possibly replaced with something more appropriate to the location.
Comments made by a resident opposed to removal are as follows:
Transparency
Kew householders have to submit applications, published for comment on the Council’s website, for
tree pruning within Conservation Areas. By contrast this prominent mature tree had a piece of
paper stuck to it a few days before it was due to be felled telling people to be aware and avoid the
area. There was no publicly available document or communication on the Richmond Planning
website relating to it.
Rationale vs. Council Policy
The Council’s brief report (attached at Annex 1) makes several key points. (1) the tree is healthy and
structurally sound and thus not a danger to anyone. (2) the only issue appears to be for tall vehicles
(3) there is an easy alternative solution of widening out the pavement, but because this has been
done on the other side of the road, it is assumed (but not confirmed) that the suggested road work
cannot be done and so felling is recommended.
It seems that (1) the tree could be pruned; (2) its position by the road could be remedied by a simple
engineering solution (widening the pavement by a small amount); (3)a London plane is the right
species; (4) it is not causing structural damage; (5) it is not causing over-population in relation to
other trees and (6) removal would have a significant impact so what advance notice was given to
Ward Councillors and Cabinet Members in accordance with Council policy and where has this been
made public?
Annex 1
Station Parade, Outside 5 Royal Parade Kew
London Plane
Trunk is being hit by traffic. There are signs of root movement due to lean and large size. Pruning
could stabilise root movement so this is not the issue at hand but it can now be struck by tall
vehicles. A pavement alteration would prevent vehicle striking the tree which I could approach
highways about but I am doubtful that highways would widen the footpath here as there is an
existing pavement build-out on the opposite side of the road.
Tree outside 5 Royal Parade, Station Parade, Kew
Pavement lifted on building side indicative of root plate lifting
Severe trunk damage from impacts with tall vehicles (historic and recent)