Tree and grounds maintenance

Grounds maintenance

We work to ensure that council owned grass areas, flower and shrub beds, hedges, trees, cemeteries, playgrounds and outdoor sports facilities are all maintained appropriately. Standards of cleanliness and health and safety are achieved by regular inspection.

To report a problem or issue with our grounds maintenance you can complete our online grounds maintenance enquiry form or contact Customer Services 01284 763233.

Tree management

We are responsible for the management of trees on land and property that we own. This includes many individual trees in public open spaces as well as wooded areas. We undertake regular inspections of the tree stock and carry out both proactive and reactive maintenance works as necessary. To report a problem with council owned trees complete the above grounds maintenance enquiry form. Please refer to our frequently asked questions before contacting us about trees on public land.

Read our comprehensive West Suffolk tree management policy for detailed information on how we manage our trees.

• West Suffolk tree management policy
• Appendix 1 Priority levels and response timescales
• Appendix 2 Inspection methodology
• Appendix 3 Cyclical inspection areas
• Appendix 4 Current tree stock - historic SEBC areas
• Appendix 5 Current tree stock - historic FHDC areas
• Appendix 6 Strategic links
• Appendix 7 Legislation
• Appendix 8 Tree planting and aftercare
• Appendix 9 Right tree right place
• Appendix 10 Major incident plan
• Appendix 11 The London Tree Officers Association - The Risk Limitation Strategy for Tree Root Claims
• Appendix 12 Benefits of trees
• Appendix 13 Threats to trees

Tree planting requests

The planting of a new tree is an ideal way to mark an important milestone, event, or to commemorate the life of a loved-one or pet. The council will consider requests and donations for additional tree planting on its land.

With the exception of commemorative trees in our cemeteries and the sponsored trees in our arboretum at Nowton Park, we do not permit the installation of fixed memorial plaques by trees.

Because of its scheduled monument status we are not accepting any request for additional tree planting in the Abbey Gardens, Bury St Edmunds.

When considering the suitability of proposed sites for tree planting, our tree officers adhere to the principle set out in our tree policy of 'right tree right place'.

Please note that West Suffolk Council is not the local highways authority and we cannot give consent for any planting on the adopted highway verges. For details of how to apply for a licence to plant on the highway verges please contact Suffolk County Council - Planting and cultivation licence.

For further enquiries and to check that we own the land on which you'd like a tree planted, please email parks@westsuffolk.gov.uk 

Tree preservation orders (TPOs)

Visit our Trees page find out about trees in conservation areas, tree preservation orders (TPOs), trees on highways and council owned trees.

Hedges

For information on hedgerow protection, removal and high hedges visit Hedgerow removal and landscapes

For information on how to settle your hedge differences without involving your local authority visit the Over the garden hedge guide