The Council prides itself on being a ‘leafy borough’ meaning it has a good canopy coverage. The Council will only review trees that are on its land - generally parks and open spaces. Trees adjacent to roads are responsibility of Kent County Council. Trees that may be causing issues or are near to your property boundary, will be inspected on request by staff from the Councils parks team to ascertain what works, if any, are needed. Tree works will only usually be undertaken on the grounds of Health and Safety. The Council does not carry out work to trees for aesthetically pleasing reasons or for reduced light. The Council will not remove leaves and twigs that have fallen on to private land and no tree will be removed to prevent this from happening. Many of the trees in the borough have Tree Preservation Orders on them (TPO’s) - this means that they are protected from any wilful damage such as felling, lopping, uprooting and topping without permission from the Council.
The Council is responsible for the maintenance of trees and hedges on its own land. These fall into several categories - please see below. It is also responsible for the administration and enforcement of Tree Preservation Orders, regulation of trees in Conservation Areas and Hedgerow Regulations on agricultural land.
The Council is not responsible for the maintenance of trees or hedges on private land, including gardens. Council staff will however give limited advice or assistance where possible, without legal liability.
Report a tree problem to us now
Highway trees:
Kent County Council are responsible for the inspection and maintenance of trees owned by the Highway Authority e.g.: on grass verges or in the foot way adjacent to a road.
Where the tree is adjacent to the Highway on private land, the owner of the land may be required to carry out works to make it safe if it is considered to be a danger to users of the highway.
Trees in Council parks or open space:
If the park or open space is owned by this Council - parks in the Parishes are generally in the ownership of the relevant Parish Council (see link below) - then the Landscape Section of Leisure Services will inspect and arrange maintenance of trees on behalf of the relevant Council section responsible for the management of that site. The aim is to strike a balance between safety, amenity and conservation, for the benefit of the community as a whole.
Trees in gardens of Council houses:
These are generally the responsibility of the tenant. If a tenant is unable to carry out normal inspection and relevant maintenance then in the first instance they should contact their Housing Estate Officer (see link below). If that officer considers that works are necessary at Council expense then they will ask the Leisure Services Section to carry out a technical inspection, and arrange works via one of it's contractors.
Tree Preservation Orders (TPO) or Trees in Conservation Areas:
Planning Regulations require that anyone wishing to undertake any works to a tree that is covered by a TPO, or one which is in a Conservation Area, must first apply in writing to the Council for consent. If you wish to carry out works to a tree, firstly you should check to see if it is covered by these Regulations by contacting the Planning Development Control Section. They will send you the relevant forms if necessary.
If works are carried out to a tree covered by these Regulations, without consent, then both the owner of the land and persons carrying out the works would be committing an offence. If found guilty by a Court, both could find themselves subject to an unlimited fine. If you are in doubt as to whether a tree is "protected" then a simple call to the Council's Planning Section (please see link below) should help.
Rural Hedges:
Hedgerow Regulations apply to hedgerows in rural areas that are not a part of a domestic dwelling. These Regulations are presently being reviewed by the Government and may be extended to other areas. If you wish to carry out any work, other than normal annual maintenance, to such a hedge you are advised to contact the Planning Department (see link below) to establish whether your hedge is exempt or covered by the Regulations.
Hedgerow Regulations – Updated for 2024
The Management of Hedgerows (England) Regulations 2024 provides updated guidance on the protection, management, and enhancement of hedgerows across England. As an integral part of our natural environment, hedgerows play a vital role in supporting biodiversity, protecting soils, and preserving the character of our rural and urban landscapes.
The updated regulations now place a greater emphasis on the following areas:
- Biodiversity Protection: Hedgerows are key habitats for a variety of wildlife, including birds, insects, and small mammals. Under the new regulations, stricter measures have been introduced to protect hedgerows that are of ecological significance. The removal of hedgerows is tightly controlled, and permission is required to remove or significantly alter a protected hedgerow.
- Management Best Practices: New guidelines promote sustainable management techniques to ensure the long-term health and vitality of hedgerows. This includes appropriate cutting cycles, avoiding hedge cutting during key breeding seasons, and encouraging a diverse range of native species.
- Enhanced Penalties for Non-Compliance: Local authorities now have increased powers to issue fines and enforcement notices for non-compliance with hedgerow regulations. Landowners and developers who remove or damage hedgerows without permission may face significant penalties.
- Community Involvement: The regulations encourage landowners and local communities to work together in the preservation and enhancement of hedgerows, with grant schemes and incentives available for those who engage in responsible hedgerow management.
Hedgerows contribute to our local character and natural heritage, and these updated regulations are designed to ensure their protection for future generations.
For detailed information on the Management of Hedgerows (England) Regulations 2024 and to learn more about your responsibilities, please visit the full document here https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2024/680/introduction/made.
High Hedges:
Part 8 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 came into effect on 1 June 2005.
Links to:
- High Hedges: a common boundary dispute
- Government code of practice on high hedges
- Planning Applications
Chalara Fraxinea (Ash Dieback):
Ash dieback disease is caused by a fungus and ash trees with symptoms of the disease are increasingly being found across Europe.
Information about ash die-back disease and what to look for from the Forestry Commission.
If you have any concerns about trees:
- On Dartford Borough Council land, call 01322 343434
- On private land, call the Forestry Commission on 0131 314 6414
Countryside Access Service Update Issue no 1 - 06.11.12 17.30
The fungus ash die-back (Chalara Fraxinea) has now been confirmed as infecting "wild" populations of ash trees across a number of locations in Kent.
The following advice should be followed when working within or visiting areas of Kent with confirmed records for the fungus or where you identify/suspect it to be:
- Do not remove any plant material (firewood, sticks, leaves or cuttings) from infected woodland / countryside;
- Before leaving the infected woodland/countryside, clean soil mud and leaves from footwear, wheels and tyres and tools;
- Before visiting other countryside sites, urban green space, garden centres and nurseries thoroughly wash footwear, wheels and tyres and tools;
- Please follow instructions on any official signs found;
- Vegetation-clearance within known infected parts of the County can continue but no plant material should be removed from site but incorporated into wood or brash-piles on site. Further, good bio-security precautions around cleaning tools, equipment and vehicles should be followed if working within known Chalara Fraxinea infected areas
If you suspect any cases of the disease please contact the Forestry Commission; 0131 314 6414; or Online: Report plant health issues
Further updates on this outbreak will be posted as the situation progresses