Tree and Woodland Management

Introduction

Hastings is a mainly urban Borough with little open countryside within Borough boundary.  In common with many parts of East Sussex, there are remnants of ancient woodland, which have been protected from development.  Where these are in Council ownership they are managed by the Council’s arboricultural section.

The main site is Church in the Wood Local Nature Reserve where traditional coppice management has been re-established.  Wood products from this site are then used in the Borough’s other parks and open spaces.

Listed below is an overview of the other services that the Hastings Borough Council’s arboricultural section provides to residents of the town, which could also be called "urban forest management".

Tree Inspections

All trees planted in the highways of Hastings and in the parks and open spaces are inspected on a cyclical basis.  The purpose of the inspections is to ensure as is far as reasonable, that such trees are in a healthy condition and do not pose a threat to public safety.

On request, we are able to offer advice on matters concerning the management of privately owned trees.

Tree planting

Since 1997 the arboricultural section have planted and established over 3000 trees along the streets of Hastings.  These trees are valuable components within the street scene, providing benefits such as welcome shade in the hot summer months, encouraging wildlife into the urban environment and generally creating a pleasant living space.

Tree Preservation orders (TPO) & Conservation Areas (CA)

The arboricultural section will undertake site visits at the request of members of the public to provide expert advice on the effective management of trees that are protected by virtue of a (TPO) or are situated within a (CA).  In certain instances, we will also seek to protect trees of outstanding amenity value that may be under threat.

Town Planning

An important function of the arboricultural section involves the provision for tree protection and new plantings within both residential and industrial developments around the town.

The arboricultural section provide technical advice to the planning department on matters such as, how a proposed development may impact upon existing trees.  They also provide advice regarding how best to protect existing trees during the development process.

The arboricultural section monitor all development sites where trees are present on a weekly basis.  This ensures that all planning conditions related to tree protection and provisions are complied with.