Tree Policy

Tree Policy

The former Chester City Council's Tree Policy and Action Plan were adopted by Chester City Council in March 2006 following community consultation - Tree Policy 2006 (pdf 638kb)

A review of the Tree Policy is planned, this will be followed by a consultation exercise which will take place across the Cheshire West and Chester area.

Background

Trees and hedges have a fundamental role to play in enhancing the quality of the environment, in both urban and rural areas, through the landscape, reduction of pollution and supporting biodiversity.

Unfortunately trees are often taken for granted or seen as a nuisance that must be removed. Trees in the city and villages are particularly vulnerable and the Council has an important job to do protecting them, but this is often a process of defending trees and hedges from a range of threats.

The Tree Policy will help the Council to be more proactive in its management of trees. It will also be used to encourage others responsible for trees to take a positive approach to the management of trees in their care.

The policy contains 9 chapters which cover the key areas of Council activity relating to trees and hedges. Each chapter describes what the Council does and then identifies policies to clearly show how the objectives will be achieved.