Trees
We maintain trees on public land, including parks, woodlands, and open spaces. Tree works are prioritised to ensure that public safety concerns are addressed. Any council owned tree that is dangerous will be considered an emergency and dealt with straight away.
All Council owned trees are regularly surveyed following the Southampton’s Tree Operational Risk Management System and you can find out more information by looking at our STORMS policy document.
This makes sure that trees are maintained in a safe condition and reduces the risk of failure. However, trees are living things and can be affected by weather conditions, therefore if you feel a tree has become an immediate hazard then please contact us.
If the tree is privately owned contact the landowner first. If the landowner refuses to act or you feel it is an emergency, for example the tree may fall imminently, call the council.
Nuisance trees
We will not carry out work to any trees that:
- Are affecting television reception
- Are obstructing light
- Have seasonal debris falling from them, such as fruit, conkers, pollen etc.
- Are obstructing views
- Are overhanging into gardens or parking areas
- General size
It is important that you read the tree pruning guidance before carrying out any works to manage overhang to your property. Should you need help finding a tree surgeon, we would suggest looking at the Arboricultural Association website.
If you are requesting works because a tree is overhanging a building, you will need to upload a photo of this issue.
Before you fill in this form
You won't be able to save this form to complete later, so please allow yourself up to five minutes to fill in the form.
Other nuisance issues
- Report a high hedge complaint
- Report overhanging or overgrown vegetation
- Report suspected subsidence to a council property caused by trees
We will investigate and determine the cause of any damage
If you are a private property owner concerned about suspected subsidence caused by trees contact your insurance company for advice - Report a tree issue on railway land to Railways Community Relations or telephone 03457 11 41 41
- Ash dieback/Chalara has been confirmed in a small number of council sites across the city. The trees team will monitor the condition of these trees and will carry out health and safety works when needed. We have informed the Forestry Commission. If you think a tree on your property has the disease please report this to the Forestry Commission. You will need to monitor the condition of the tree and pruning or felling may be required if the tree becomes a threat to public safety. You may wish to contact a tree surgeon to assist with this. Disposal of infected ash leaf litter/ash trees must be carried out in the correct way. For information about Chalara and other diseases visit the Forestry Commission online
- Make private land ownership enquiries through the Land Registry. There is a fee for land searches
- It is the responsibility of the utility companies to maintain their infrastructure. If you have an issue with your phone line contact your service provider. To report an emergency with an overhead power line call SSE on 0800 0727 282
If you feel a tree is an immediate hazard to life or property, you can report this tree being in a dangerous condition instead.
Works to protected trees
If works are required to make a protected tree safe, please complete the five days notice of works to a protected tree form so that the works can be assessed. The tree owner could face prosecution if they are deemed to have carried out works beyond making a protected tree safe.
Useful information
If you would like an update about an existing tree enquiry, please complete the online form.
Before you fill in this form
You won't be able to save this form to complete later, so please allow yourself a couple of minutes to fill in the form.
You will need:
The enquiry reference number
To contact the trees team by phone, please call 023 8083 3005 (option 5). Our office hours are:
Office hours:
- Monday: 8.30am to 5pm
- Tuesday: 8.30am to 5pm
- Wednesday: 9am to 5pm
- Thursday: 8.30am to 5pm
- Friday: 8.30am to 4.30pm
- Closed bank holidays
Outside of these times, please call our emergency out of hours team.
Damage to your property
If you believe damage to your property, or injury, has been caused by a council owned tree as a result of negligence on the part of the council, please contact the council’s Risk and Insurance Team.
You can find out more information by looking at our Insurance claims against the council pages.
More information
