CNH is responsible for managing and maintaining 2,680 trees. These are trees located on CNH managed communal land around our properties (this does not include trees on parks or in gardens).

To help us do this, we are working with Treework Environmental Practice (also known as ‘My Trees’), the industry-leading arboricultural and ecological consultancy.

My Trees is carrying out a survey of all of our trees to prioritise them in order of amount of work needed to maintain them. The aim of the work we do on trees is to keep the trees healthy and to ensure they do not pose a safety risk. The last survey was carried out in 2009 and all of the trees which were classified priority one or two, have been dealt with and completed.

In addition to the information provided by the My Trees surveys, we use the Charnwood Borough Council’s policy on tree management to inform what work we carry out. We make the most of our limited budget to maintain the health of our trees and additional tree work is generally only carried out:

• if a tree is dead, dying or dangerous
• where a tree is the primary cause of damage to buildings, walls or footpaths (eg if a root was lifting paving slabs or damaging a wall) or
• if branches are obscuring signs or street lighting columns

We receive a number of calls regarding trees blocking light into properties and leaves blocking guttering but, with a limited budget to maintain nearly 3,000 trees, this type of work if not considered a priority. We have to use our resources to manage the health and safety risks of trees instead.

Please remember that any trees within private enclosed gardens (eg houses, some bungalows) are the responsibility of the tenant as stated in the terms of the tenancy agreement.

You can see Charnwood Borough Council’s tree policy here or by calling 01509 634 766.