Trees and hedgerows in Christchurch

Types of trees

Trees in the Christchurch area are divided into 4 categories with different levels of risk and maintenance associated with them. These are:

• Highway trees. Located adjacent to public roads either within pavements or adjacent verges/shrub borders (or within a PROW) These trees are our responsibility.

• Open space trees, found within parks, recreation grounds, open spaces and along the coastline, they and are our responsibility. 

• Countryside site trees. These are trees found within the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole's woodlands, copses and countryside sites including Local Nature Reserves. They are also our responsibility.

• Private trees. These grow on privately owned land and include trees protected by Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) or within conservation areas

Tree Preservation Orders and conservation areas

Trees may be protected by TPOs or other legal procedures to make sure that they are not lost or damaged needlessly. TPOs prohibit the cutting down, uprooting, topping, lopping, wilful damage or wilful destruction of trees without the local authority's consent. The council can issue a TPO for specific trees. TPOs are managed by the Planning and Health department, for more information, use our tree enquiry form.

Highway trees

Highway trees are located on or adjacent to public highways including roads, pathways and roadside verges. For more information or for enquires about highways trees, use our tree enquiry form.

Open spaces and countryside trees

The Christchurch & East Dorset Councils tree strategy continues to provide a framework to protect and manage trees in the Christchurch area, where they fall within our control.

The pre-existing Tree Management and Inspection Policy continues to meet our objectives to manage our  trees. The strategy outlines the council's policies and aims to promote the important contribution of public and privately owned trees whilst ensuring sustainable management for the benefit of the community.

There is a tree work policy for the Christchurch area focused specifically on open space trees. This outlines our responsibility to maintain trees in a safe and healthy condition and to ensure no legal nuisance is caused.

There is a tree work request form that can be filled out and returned to us. 

• Christchurch Borough Council tree work policy (public trees)

For more information or for enquiries about trees on open spaces and countryside, contact us.