Trees in gardens, communal areas and open spaces have ecological, environmental, social, health and emotional benefits. We recognise the importance of trees within our communities, and we are committed to protecting them for future generations. It is our customers’ responsibility to look after trees in their gardens. Our tree policy provides information on how customers should maintain their trees and sets out our approach to managing trees in communal areas.
Caring for trees in your garden
Keeping the trees in your garden well-maintained helps to ensure they thrive for years to come. You can maintain your trees by following the below guidance:
- Regularly prune and tidy trees to keep them looking their best and to prevent any potential issues, such as trees obstructing footpaths or overhanging neighbour’s gardens.
- If you notice a tree is obstructing a public footpath or road, trim back the tree to keep public areas safe and accessible.
- Before making changes to any trees in your garden or those overhanging your garden, check if Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) apply. Certain trees may be protected, meaning you will need permission from your local council to prune or alter them. You can use Wiltshire Council’s planning experience app to check for TPO’s.
- If you are concerned about a tree in your neighbour’s garden, speak with them about it to see if there is anything they can do. You have the right to trim back branches that overhang into your garden. Remember to dispose of any garden waste appropriately – putting them back over the fence is considered fly-tipping.
Planting new trees in your garden
Adding a new tree to your garden can enhance the look of a garden as well as bring shade and attract wildlife. Here are a few things to consider to make sure your tree will thrive in its new home.
- Tree species – think about how the tree will look when fully grown; its height, canopy, and root spread. Is it deciduous or evergreen, fast or slow-growing, fruit-bearing, or toxic? Large non-native species like Eucalyptus, for example, can grow very quickly and may outgrow an average garden within just a few years.
- Location – avoid planting too close to buildings, fences or neighbouring properties to prevent damage from roots or branches. Different species have unique preferences – some prefer sun, while others thrive in partial shade. Limited space? Consider choosing a smaller variety of tree suited to potting.
- Underground and overhead – be mindful of what’s around your chosen spot. Check for any underground pipelines carrying water, sewerage or gas, as well as any overhead utility cables.
- Soil type – some trees can drain heavy clay soils, leading to soil shrinkage and subsidence which could damage your property or neighbouring properties. Each tree species has its preferred soil, so match your tree to your garden’s soil.
If you are concerned about a tree in your garden or a neighbour’s garden, you can contact our customer support team for advice on 01225 715 715 or at info@selwoodhousing.com.
Selwood Housing will only carry out work to trees in gardens if the tree needs urgent action and: you/members of your household are unable to do the work; you do not have help from family and friends; you have no financial means to pay privately. Please be aware that you may be charged for Selwood Housing to carry out work to trees in your garden, this will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. See the full tree policy for further details.
Trees in communal areas and open spaces
Selwood Housing maintain the trees in our communal areas and open spaces and we work with local partners and the council to keep them healthy, safe and beneficial for the community. Here’s how we manage our trees in communal areas and what you can expect:
- Regular inspections – we conduct regular surveys ranging from annually to every five years, depending on tree type, location and risk factors. We use the Quantified Tree Risk Assessment (QTRA) method to assess them, and any necessary work is prioritised based on safety and need.
- Tree management – we carry out work on trees based on the level of risk of a defect, disease or serious damage to property. Tree felling is always a last resort and where we do remove a tree, we’ll replant it in a suitable location.
- Supporting safety – we trim our trees to ensure streetlights illuminate adequately, road signs are clearly visible, and highways and footpaths are not obstructed.
- Handling additional concerns – interference with TV/radio signals is not considered a reason to prune trees as this can be resolved through engineering solutions. We don’t prune trees for natural occurrences like light, shade or to improve views, nor to reduce fall of debris, leaves, seeds, twigs, fruit, sap as these are naturally occurring.
If you have any questions or concerns about trees in open spaces or communal areas, contact our customer support team on 01225 715 715 or at info@selwoodhousing.com.
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Tree policyDownload(237.87 KB)
