Tree Pruning Schedule and Tree Strategy All the street trees in Southwark are pruned on a three-year routine maintenance cycle. The Borough is divided into three areas with one area pruned each year.
Before each pruning cycle, trees are surveyed to determine any change in size, safety hazard and the type of pruning treatment required. The degree to which each tree is pruned is decided by the size, species, location and previous pruning history. For example, a heavily pruned Plane tree in a small street will need repeated pruning at regular intervals in order to keep it at a size that's in proportion to the street.
Trees in Housing Estates and Parks are also maintained on an ad-hoc basis although plans are being drawn up for a routine maintenance schedule to be adopted in Estates.
The location, type and history of every tree in the streets, parks and estates of Southwark is held on a computerised database and mapping system.
The overall benefits of trees have to be measured against their potential inconvenience to residents. The tree maintenance programme takes account of this by removing overhanging limbs and by thinning and reducing the size of trees wherever necessary. We make sure that any works to trees are always in accordance with best arboricultural practices. |
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