Frequently Asked Questions About Trees

I get asked a lot about trees and the risks and benefits of having trees in your area. Overall trees are a massive benefit to our city, providing cool shade from the sun and cleaning the air we breathe. Hopefully you find the below answers useful, but if you do have any questions get in contact with me!

Leaf Fall

Leaf Fall The Council will not prune or fell a Council owned tree to remove or reduce leaf fall or remove fallen leaves from private property. The loss of leaves from trees in the autumn is part of the natural cycle and cannot be avoided by pruning. The composting of leaves is encouraged as a way of environmentally recycling this valuable resource. In addition, the council organises a street cleaning service which sweeps leaves from most streets and residential roads during the autumn period. The maintenance of gutters is the responsibility of the property / landowner. Where gutters are regularly blocked by fallen leaves the installation of gutter guards by the landowner may provide a low maintenance solution.

Public trees that overhang neighbouring properties / roots encroaching into garden

The Council will not prune trees that overhang neighbouring properties unless the trees are dangerous or are causing actionable nuisance. The Council has no legal obligation to prune overhanging trees unless they are causing direct damage to an adjacent property or are imminently dangerous. This reflects the Council’s position as an owner of thousands of trees and the resources available. Given that many thousands of Council trees overhang boundaries, it is not an effective use of resources to prune every overhanging limb. Tree roots in gardens are a natural occurrence and root presence is unlikely to be affected by tree pruning. However, situations where a tree is genuinely generating root encroachment to an exceptional, severe and unreasonable degree are dealt with on a case-by-case basis.

Trees touching private property

If a tree in Council ownership / managed by the Council is touching private property (dwelling house, boundary wall, garage, etc.), the Council will take appropriate action to alleviate the problem. The Council will prune trees to provide clearance from properties where they touch windows, walls, roofs or gutters. In most cases the solution will be for the Council to prune the tree, but in some circumstances it may be more appropriate to fell the tree. Where such situations arise they will be assessed on a case by case basis.

Trees and damage to private property

Most trees growing near buildings cause no damage. Lightly loaded structures, if they have inadequate foundations, may be affected by tree roots. Tree roots are unlikely to directly penetrate sound footings. Where evidence is provided which demonstrates a Council owned tree is the cause of damage, the Council will take appropriate action on a case by case basis. The perceived threat of damage by tree roots is sometimes a worry people have about trees near to buildings. Much of this concern is unwarranted as most trees growing near buildings cause no damage but trees may cause damage in some circumstances. Direct damage results from the pressure that may be exerted by tree roots or trunks. This may affect lightly loadedstructures (particularly if they have inadequate foundations) such as garden walls, driveways and patios, for example. Tree roots are unlikely to directly penetrate sound footings. Where evidence is provided which demonstrates a Council owned tree is the cause of damage, the Council will take appropriate action on a case by case basis.

Shading

Tree Works will not normally be carried out to address shading of direct sunlight. Trees are often perceived to block light to nearby properties and the level of alleged nuisance is variable and subjective. There is currently no legal right to direct sunlight and there is no expectation for existing buildings or other structures to be removed for this reason. However, situations where trees are genuinely blocking daylight from habitable rooms to an exceptional, severe and unreasonable degree may be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. Minor pruning works may be acceptable in some situations, however any decision would take into account the health and significance of the tree, its contribution to wider public amenity, the orientation of the house, and whether the tree was already present when the occupier moved into the property.

Obstruction of a view

Tree Works will not normally be carried out to improve the view from a private property. There is no legal right to a ‘view’. Vegetation and trees grow and, over time contribute to the City’s urban fabric. It would be impracticable to prune every tree that affected a view, and this would have a major negative impact on public amenity.

Tree considered too big / too tall

The council will not prune or fell a council owned / managed tree because it is considered to be ‘too big’ or ‘too tall’. Residents may feel apprehensive about the size of a tree and consider it dangerous. However, trees are not dangerous just because they are perceived as tall, too big for their surroundings or move in the wind. Tree movement in high winds is natural and one of the ways they are able to withstand strong winds.

Trees and drains

The City Council will not prune, fell or cut the roots of a Council owned / managed tree to prevent roots entering a drain that is already broken or damaged. The Council will not normally take action in response to complaints that trees are damaging drains. Tree roots do not have the capacity to break into a sound drain but they may invade drains that are already broken or damaged. Trees themselves very rarely break or damage the drain in the first place. Tree roots found in a drain are usually symptomatic of an underlying problem requiring repair of the broken pipe. The Council’s presumption is that the appropriate way to deal with tree root blockage of drains is to ensure that the drains are watertight. Any concerns about the condition of public drains should be reported to the Drainage Section. Householders are usually responsible for the maintenance of the drains within their own property.

Trees and Solar Panels

The Council will not prune or fell a Council owned / managed tree to facilitate installation or improve natural light to a solar panel. Whilst the Council appreciates that there is a need to provide renewable energy resources, trees have an important role in maintaining and improving local amenity, in addition to contributing to local and national targets in tackling climate change. The presence of trees must be fully appreciated when considering a suitable location for the placement of solar panels.

Television, broadband, mobile telephone and satellite reception

Tree works will not be carried out to improve reception of the above services where the trees in question would not otherwise require works. Dublin City Council recognises television, broadband, mobile telephone and satellite reception are important to residents. However, a balance has to be found between these services and the local environment. The Council will encourage residents to seek reasonable alternative solutions to improve reception of these services rather than requesting tree pruning or removal.

Sticky Deposits from Honeydew(dripping sap)

The Council will not prune or fell a council owned tree solely to remove or reduce honeydew or other sticky residue from trees. Certain species of tree, for example lime and sycamore, are susceptible to aphids or other leaf feeding insects. Honeydew is the sugary sap / sticky deposit which results from insects feeding and once on surfaces is subsequently colonised by sooty mould fungi giving it a black appearance. Honeydew is a natural and seasonal problem and the severity varies from year to year depending on conditions. A balance between the inconvenience of honeydew deposits and the wider benefits of trees must be achieved and as such there is unlikely to be justification for the pruning or removal of trees due to honeydew deposits.

Bird Droppings

The Council will not prune or fell a Council owned tree solely to remove or reduce bird droppings. Bird droppings can be unpleasant but the problem is not considered a sufficient reason to prune or remove a tree. Nesting birds are protected under the Wildlife Acts 1976-2012 and Birds and Natural Habitats Regulations 2011

Fruit/Berries/Nuts/Blossom

The Council will not normally fell or prune Council owned trees solely to alleviate problems caused by natural and/or seasonal phenomena such as fruit/berries, nuts or blossom. Falling fruit, berries, nuts or blossom are natural and seasonal occurrences and are judged a relatively-minor, short-term inconvenience when considering the many benefits of having trees within the urban environment. Fruiting trees are welcomed in many locations for having the double benefit of spring blossom and autumn fruit. This makes fruit trees good for wildlife and a source for foraging. However, where fallen fruit is leading to exceptional problems of a severe and unreasonable degree this will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis subject toresources. 3.7.19 Insects The Council will not prune or fell a Council owned tree to remove or reduce incidence of perceived pests such as bees, wasps, or other insects.

Pollen

The Council will not prune or fell a council owned tree to remove or reduce the release of pollen.

Trees affecting CCTV

The Council will not normally prune or fell a Council owned / managed tree to improve CCTV sightlines. Exceptions may include Garda CCTV, trees adjacent to CCTV cameras that monitor ATMs or within the field of view being covered to ensure that public security is not compromised. The installation of new CCTV cameras must take into consideration existing trees to prevent requests for unnecessary pruning works or the removal of trees to improve desired sightlines.

Crime and Anti-social behaviour

Where a Council owned tree is associated with criminal activity and/or anti-social behaviour, measures to reduce the problem will be considered on a site-by-site basis. Where a tree is associated with criminal activity and/or anti-social behaviour, steps to reduce the problem will typically require the coordination of a number of agencies including the Gardaí. Pruning or felling a tree is not always the answer to the problem.

Pavement Lift

The Council will undertake measures to make safe an unacceptable trip hazard on a public footpath or road caused by the growth of a Council owned / managed tree. Where trees are considered to be causing damage to paths or footpaths, the Council will not normally consider tree removal except where there is a risk to public health which cannot otherwise be mitigated. It is often possible to repair paths to take account of adjacent trees and tree roots. Where roots protrude, the path can be re-laid around the tree with flexible material to provide a smooth surface using asphalt or preferably resin bonded gravel (where appropriate) which will allow free flow of air and water to the root zone. The Parks Service will explore engineering solutions to reduce trip hazards and will liaise with Roads Maintenance in relation to their annual work plan to repair pavements where pavement lift has occurred.

Footpath / Road obstruction due to trees

The Council will undertake work to a tree in Council ownership / management where a tree is causing an obstruction to a public highway, public footpath or cycleway, public right of way, access to property or public open space, where reasonably feasible. Tree pruning to achieve the following height clearance is considered appropriate where reasonably practical and where it can be achieved without harming tree health or form: Pedestrian areas: 2.5m Cycleways: 3m Distributor roads / streets: 4.5m Any works necessary to prevent anobstruction in the width of a public footpath due to the presence of a Council owned tree will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Street light obstruction

The Council will undertake work to a tree in Council ownership / management to ensure that trees do not unduly obstruct the streetlight. Tree pruning will be undertaken where reasonably feasible to address obstruction of a street light. Where a tree is removed from a roadside verge, due to proximity to a public lighting column, a replacement tree will not normally be planted back into the same verge. Alternative public lighting solutions should be explored for areas of existing mature trees. These solutions can add to the visual amenity of the streetscape such as in the example below from St. Lawrence Road Clontarf. The Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets (2013) recommends that new lights should be positioned away from trees, which in time may grow to envelop the lanterns or cast shadows which will render the lighting less effective.

Road traffic sight-lines obstruction / Traffic signal / Street sign obstruction

The Council will undertake work to a tree in Council ownership / management to maintain clear sight lines, where reasonably feasible, at road junctions and access points and for traffic signals and street signs. Signals and signs should be located to avoid conflicts with existing trees. Where an unavoidable ongoing pruning requirement arises as a result of sightlines / road signs / traffic signals being obscured by tree growth / regrowth, consideration will be given to the removal of trees to minimise ongoing repeat maintenance costs.

Privately Owned Trees that overhang neighbouring private properties.

If a tree is growing on privately owned land, then the maintenance rests entirely with the landowner. The best way to resolve problems with trees or hedges growing in adjacent properties is for property owners to talk to their neighbours and to try to come to an amicable agreement. The interactions between neighbours on such issues are private matters and are best dealt with by the parties concerned through discussion, mediation or ultimately through civil procedures.

Tree and hedge disputes between private landowners

Residents with issues in relation to trees and hedges on neighbouring properties are encouraged to try to resolve the issues between the two parties or seek independent legal advice. Involvement in resolving tree and hedge disputes between private landowners is not considered part of the remit of the City Council. Unlike the UK there is currently no legislation in Ireland regulating the height of hedges.