Bisley Parish Council Tree Policy
Every two years the parish council instructs a qualified arboriculturist to carry out a hazard evaluation
survey on the trees on the land it is responsible for, which consists of:
The recreation ground, the village green, Pilgrims’ way play space, Miles Green, Queens Road by A322.
The survey is carried out on a ‘negative reporting’ basis, whereby only details of those trees requiring
works are recorded, with consideration given to the locations of the trees and the likelihood that they
would cause damage or injury were they to fail. The survey details any recommended works on the trees,
along with recommendations on timescales for carrying out the works. The parish council’s aim is to keep
as many trees as possible. The parish council does not remove trees with minor defects, only trees that
are dead, dying, or diseased. It may remove parts of a tree that have died or where there is a very high
risk of falling branches causing harm or damage due to their size.
Where to report tree problems
The tree location will dictate where the problem should be reported. If the tree is thought to be on parish
council land, report to clerk@bisleyparishcouncil.gov.uk. Report on the Surrey County Council if you are
unsure whose land the tree is on. The report will then be forwarded to the relevant authority or private
landowner.
How the parish council handles your reports
If you report a dead, dying, or dangerous tree that is on or close to roads or pavements, the parish council
will carry out an assessment to see if work is needed. The parish council employees and councillors are
not specialists but will make a visual inspection of the tree and look for any obvious hazards and may ask
a tree specialist for advice. The parish council will let you know what is decided after the assessment has
been carried out.
When the parish council doesn’t act
The parish council may have to say no to requests to cut or remove trees and is unlikely to take action if
the report raised with one of its trees is because of: ▪ shading a property ▪ shading solar panels ▪ touching
telephone lines ▪ touching power lines ▪ touching buildings ▪ overhanging boundaries ▪ bearing fruits,
seeds or leaves before or after they leave the tree ▪ encouraging roosting birds ▪ interfering with digital or
terrestrial signals ▪ requiring the removal of twigs and small bits of deadwood.
However, if one of the parish council trees is overhanging your boundary line, it may be trimmed back by
you but only if it won’t harm the tree and is safe to do so. If the work requires anything more than
pruning by secateurs or loppers from the ground, therefore if it involves the sawing of branches at height,
over your boundary, then a tree care professional will be required to do the work for safety reasons and
to avoid damaging the tree. Please contact the parish council first for approval.
The parish council will not remove one of its trees solely because: ▪ it has minor defects ▪ it has grown to
its natural height ▪ it is depositing debris such as leaves, seeds or honey dew ▪ it is inconvenient for
planning applications ▪ it is considered too close to a property for building insurance, unless it is subject to
a claim.
Adopted by Bisley Parish Council 18
th September 2023
Review due September 2025
