Trees
Maidstone Borough Council only carries out tree work in
Parks, Open Spaces and Leisure Land.
We carry out tree
work all year round.
When calling please provide as much detail as possible:
Name, address and postcode
Daytime contact telephone number
Location of tree if different from address
Any landmarks near tree
Species if known
Details of problem
Highways Tree Works
If the tree is on Kent Highways land e.g. Footpath or grass
verge next to a road, it is likely to be owned by Kent Highways at
Kent County Council.
You can contact Kent Highways at:
Kent Highway Services
Kent County Council
Invicta House
County Hall
Maidstone
Kent ME14 1XX
08458 247 800
kent.highwayservices@kent.gov.uk
Housing Trust Tree Works
Initially, permission and authorisation is
required from the Housing Estate Manager and the tenant to
establish whether work is required.
If the tree is on Maidstone Housing Trust land or in a Maidstone
Housing Trust Garden, you will need to contact them directly
at:
Tel 0800 923 2700
Email info@maidstonehousing.org.uk
Maidstone Housing Trust
Whatman House
St Leonards Road
Allington 20/20 Business Park
Maidstone
Kent ME16 OLS
Leaves, berries and seasonal problems on trees
Unfortunately, there is little we can do about berries and
leaves falling from trees as this is part of their natural growth
cycle.
We do not cut down trees unless they are considered dead,
diseased or dangerous.
Tree overhanging gardens and drives
We only carry out tree work if there is a Health & safety
issue with a tree. Unfortunately TV signal problems, shading
problems, overhanging branches, trees dropping acorns, bird
droppings etc are all considered a low priority.
Leaves which fall into gutters and guttering, resident’s
driveways and residents pathways are not the responsibility of
Maidstone Borough Council and are to be maintained by the home
owner.
If you are concerned about the health and safety of a tree,
you can call us on 01622 602162 to report it. A Tree Officer
will inspect the tree within one month of the report to assess
any health and safety risks. If the tree is identified as
requiring work, it will be prioritised. Dates for tree work
cannot be given until an inspection and a decision on the priority
of the work has been made.
Dangerous trees
If you think that the tree is dangerous, please call us on 01622
602162, providing as much detail as possible, e.g. what is wrong
with the tree, are there dead or broken branches, is it leaning,
damaged or rotten. A Tree Officer will inspect the tree and assess
any health and safety risks and issues. If the tree is
identified as requiring work, this will be prioritised. No
dates for tree work can be given until an inspection and a decision
on the priority of the work has been made.
Tree maintenance work/cutting back trees
If you wish to have a tree cut back, please call us on
01622 602162. A Tree Officer will inspect the tree within one
month of the report to assess any health and safety risks. If
the tree is identified as requiring work, it will be
prioritised. No dates for tree work can be given until an
inspection and a decision on the priority of the work has been
made.
Checking on current tree works schedule
If the tree has been inspected and recommended for remedial
works, it will have been added to the Tree Schedule. Depending on
the priority and urgency of the work, it could take
between one month and a year to complete.
A tree has died can it be replaced?
If you report the tree to us on 01622 602162, a Tree
Officer will inspect the tree to confirm it has died.
Arrangements will then be made for the tree to be removed and
a new tree planted in close proximity. Tree planting
normally takes place during the winter months.
We only carry out inspections, tree planting and work on trees
on Maidstone Borough Council Land. We do not look after KCC Kent
Highways trees and trees in Private gardens.
Trees in private gardens
This is a private matter between you and the neighbour. The
Council cannot intervene. You should seek legal advice. Under
civil law, provided the tree is not protected, you may remove small
overhanging branches provided you offer to return them to the owner
of the tree. For further advice and information please contact the
Council's Landscape Officer on 01622 602340 or to the Planning
Reception at 13 Tonbridge Road. The Citizens Advice Bureau may be
able to help. Their telephone number is 01622 752420.
If your neighbour is a Maidstone Housing Trust tenant, you can
contact their housing manager for your area. The
telephone number for the Maidstone Housing Trust is 0800 923
2700.
Tree Preservation Orders (TPO) and Conservation Area
Before we carry out any work, we do check each tree to see if
it’s covered by a TPO or in a conservation area.
If anyone carries out any work on a TPO tree without permission,
it is a criminal offence and could be subject to a £20,000
fine or imprisonment. If the tree is covered by a TPO, a planning
application will be completed which takes approx 8 weeks. Tree
Preservation Orders are an Order made by the Council protecting
inpidual trees, groups of trees, woodland or other areas of trees,
for their amenity value. Information on existing Orders can be
obtained from the Landscape Officer on 01622 602340.The purpose of
a TPO is to protect trees which enhance an area and can be seen and
enjoyed by the public.
Land Ownership
Maidstone Borough Council are only able to confirm whether or
not they own a piece of land. Information on privately owned land
may be obtained from the Land Registry (South East) in Tunbridge
Wells who can be contacted on 01892 510015
or visit http://www.landregisteronline.gov.uk/
Sponsoring a tree
You can sponsor a tree for a special family event, anniversary,
in memory of someone special or simply to improve the local
area.
For £70 you can have a tree planted in one of our parks or open
spaces. You are welcome to come along to the planting.
Planting will be carried out during the normal winter planting
season between November and March each year, while the trees are in
a dormant state. A standard nursery stock tree will be planted.
A wide variety of trees are available. The location will
determine whether the tree should be native.
If you would like further information or an application form,
please call us on 01622 602718.