Tree management policy

Our vision is to create great homes together. We recognise the importance trees have in enhancing our homes and communities, benefitting the environment, and improving our health and wellbeing.

We also have a legal responsibility to manage and maintain trees on land we own to ensure a safe environment.

Who this policy applies to and what it covers

This policy relates to trees within the communal areas of land we own and manage, including our sheltered, supported and general needs estates, our offices and garage sites.

As stated in our tenancy agreements, customers are responsible for maintaining trees within their gardens. These trees are not included in our planned inspection and maintenance programme.

The aims of this policy are to:

• Make sure we comply with all relevant tree-related legislation.
• Clearly define responsibilities for the management of tree safety.
• Set out how we identify what works will be carried out.
• Make sure our trees remain healthy and sustainable.

More detail about how we manage our tree portfolio is set out in our Tree Management Procedure.

Our tree management policy

We follow the guidance produced by the National Tree Safety Group.

Trees will be inspected regularly through visual inspections and formal tree surveys.

We currently survey our trees every two years.

We will work with professional tree consultants to carry out the surveys and, where possible, use the same consultants each time to benefit from their knowledge of our trees.

We will try to keep trees wherever possible unless the risk is too great or the cost is prohibitive.

Recommended works identified by the surveys will be scheduled to achieve the best value.

Essential work will be carried out on trees that are dead, dying, diseased, dangerous, causing or likely to cause damage to property, obstructing the highway, or as part of our maintenance programme.

Non-essential work will not actively be carried out. This includes issues caused by trees, such as blocking natural light, leaf or fruit fall, sap or bird droppings, satellite, tv or other communications, or solar panels.

We will do everything we can to keep our trees healthy and sustainable. We will replace felled trees and increase the number of trees we have over time. The replacement species will be decided by the principle "right tree, right place."

We will tell customers about their responsibilities for trees in their gardens before they sign a new tenancy.

We will regularly remind customers of their responsibilities and offer inspections if anyone reports concerns.

Any concerns raised by customers about trees in non-communal areas will be investigated.

Finance

The cost of tree surveys and any works carried out to our communal trees is included in service charges, where appropriate. This is in line with our rent setting, service charges and sinking funds policy.

In exceptional circumstances, we may help customers to manage trees within their own gardens that are dead, diseased, dangerous, or causing damage to property. Customers may be asked to pay for some, or all, of the costs.

Legislation

We will work with the relevant Local Authority when we need to carry out work on trees that are protected through a Tree Protection Order (TPO) or fall within a Conservation Area, as outlined in the Town and Country Planning Act (1990). This includes trees within customers' gardens.

We will abide by the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981), making sure that nesting birds or bats are not disturbed by programmed works.

We will make sure that our trees don't obstruct the highway or signage, in line with the Highways Act (1980).

Responsibilities

The Director of Customer Operations is accountable for tree management at Magna and as responsible for the development and review of this policy, ensuring it meets all regulatory requirements and guidance.

The Head of Customer Experience and Home Services is responsible for overseeing the compliance of the operational Tree Management Procedure that links to this policy. The Grounds Maintenance Contract Manager is responsible for its delivery.

This policy will be considered and approved by the Executive Board every three years.

Any changes in regulatory or legislative guidance that impact this policy will result in an earlier review.