Tree Maintenance Works
Ards and North Down Borough Council uses a proactive approach in the management of its tree stock. Qualified council officers, along with expert tree consultants regularly conduct tree surveys for each tree within council owned/maintained land, to assess the risk of significant harm from a tree or branch fall.
The most recent tree surveys have recommended important maintenance including a number of trees to be felled or pruned. Our aim is to carry out all scheduled tree works between 1st September 2024 and 28th February 2025.
Upcoming Tree Maintenance Works
Plans of upcoming tree maintenance works will be placed here in advance of works commencing. The works are for the purposes of good practice management, disease control and public safety; all trees are subject to an environmental assessment prior to being worked on which will prevent work happening that impacts our local flora and fauna.
Commencing Monday 2nd September 2024 and be completed by Monday 30th September 2024:
- Plantation Wood, Bangor
- Kerrs Wood, Bangor
- Stricklands Glen, Bangor
Commencing on Tuesday 1st October 2024 and be completed by Thursday 31st October 2024:
- Castle Park, Bangor
- Ward Park, Bangor
Details of planned works can be viewed via the Tree Map, details below.
Ards and North Down Borough Council's Tree Map
A new interactive tree map is now available for public view. The tree map is an interactive tool, allowing residents to explore and learn about individual tree species, as well as allowing residents to view upcoming scheduled tree works.
Visit the Ards and North Downs Borough Council Tree Map: ANDBC Tree Survey Viewer
The map reflects a progressive commitment to environmental stewardship and community engagement. This initiative aims to catalogue and display the diverse array of trees within Ards and North Downs Borough Woodlands, Parks, and Urban areas, promoting awareness of the region's rich biodiversity.
The Council undertakes to replace trees in numbers in excess of those that need to be felled and has an annual tree-planting programme which sees many trees of both native and interesting, unusual varieties planted over each Autumn/Winter season. For example, our STAND4TREES initiative aims to plant a tree for every person in the Borough, which is approximately 160,000 trees.
For more information on the Council's STAND4TREES strategy please visit STAND4TREES | Ards and North Down Borough Council or email ANDparks@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk
Please see the list of Frequently Asked Questions below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are the trees surveyed?
All tree owners have a legal duty of care to make adequate provision to ensure the safe condition of their trees. Ards and North Down Borough Council, as owner and occupier of land, is required to consider the level of risk associated with a tree and whether it is reasonable to protect against that risk.
Tree inspections are carried out in line with industry standards. Tree inspection surveys collect essential tree attributes i.e. species, location, condition, etc and provide recommendations on required works. All inspections must be carried out by a professional tree inspector with a relevant Professional Tree Inspection Qualification.
Why does a tree need to be pruned or felled?
The most important reason to prune any kind of tree is to get rid of dead, diseased, or damaged branches. This helps keep people, pets, wildlife and property safe from any large limbs that could fall. Pruning also promotes the health of the tree, by preventing the spread of disease and ensuring the tree uses energy to grow only the healthy branches. In many cases pruning encourages flowering, fruiting, and growth of certain parts of a tree, contributing to a healthy canopy of foliage.
Why does pruning happen at this time of year? (Autumn/Winter)
At this time of year (Autumn & Winter) many trees are not actively growing and have entered a period of dormancy. Trees store their energy in the roots throughout dormancy and do not experience the same shock, compared to pruning in the growing season. Trees can also become stressed if too much leaf area is reduced while actively growing, because this is how trees make their energy. Completing works after leaf drop makes it easier to spot dead, diseased and crossing branches that should be pruned and the structure of the crown is more visible.
Do we tell residents of up-and-coming work?
Yes, we provide information on our website advising of any extensive planned tree work within facilities owned or managed by the Council. However, sometimes this is not always possible, particularly when urgent work is required.
What about the impact on wildlife if a tree is pruned or felled?
Council is committed to providing people with access to a well-managed, sustainable environment where wildlife can thrive. All trees are subject to an environmental assessment prior to being worked on which will prevent work happening that impacts our wildlife and fauna. Where it is safe to do so, trees are left as a standing monolith. A monolith is a means of mitigating the risk posed by large hazardous trees, without resorting to felling. Retaining trees as monoliths provides valuable habitat for the many species that are dependent on decaying wood and cavities. Pruning to remove dead, damaged or diseased limbs helps to keep the tree healthy, prolonging its life and the habitat it provides.
Do we replace the lost trees?
The Council undertakes to replace trees in numbers in excess of those that need to be felled and has an annual tree-planting programme which sees many trees of both native and interesting varieties planted over each Autumn/Winter season. For example, our STAND4TREES initiative aims to plant a tree for every person in the Borough, that is approximately 160,000 trees or in excess of 15,000 new trees. The STAND4TREES initiative will also be planting 3 orchards per year making a total of 30 orchards.
Why have a Tree & Woodland Strategy
The Council agreed to a Tree & Woodland Strategy in 2021. This Strategy recognises the importance of trees, the many benefits they afford us and the increasingly important role they can play in mitigating the effects of climate change. The strategy is required to ensure the Council's limited budget is focused on positive planting programmes and managing tree care and risks. The key aims of the strategy that guides the Council's management of trees are:
1. Community Engagement: to actively engage and collaborate with the community and others in valuing trees as a vital community asset.
2. Tree Planting: to increase the native tree canopy within the Borough by planting more trees to ensure a healthy balanced tree population that positively responds to the impacts of climate change and urban expansion.
3. Managing Trees: to ensure good tree care, through sustainable management of the tree population and reducing risk.
To find out more about our Tree & Woodland Strategy please visit STAND4TREES | Ards and North Down Borough Council
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