Tree planting and maintenance

Find out how we choose and plant our trees and get advice on planting and maintaining trees at your own property.

Choosing and planting our trees

We plant trees in the town between November and March each year on council-owned or maintained land. Many of the trees planted are replacements for ones which have been removed for various reasons throughout the year. We prioritise replacing trees in designated conservation areas over those outside these areas. We will try to meet residents' requests for new trees where funds allow.

When choosing which trees to plant, our policy is to use a wide variety of different species. This will help protect against the impact of climate change. Some tree species will be particularly vulnerable to changes in climate whilst other will thrive in, for example, hotter and drier or cooler and wetter weather patterns.

Choosing a wide variety of tree species as urban canopy cover will also help protect from the impact of new pests and diseases such as horse chestnut leaf minor and ash die-back.

Trees officers also consider more localised impacts such as:

shade a tree might cast on a nearby property
eventual tree size and shape
the amount of water a tree will take from the soil
the amount of leaves, fruit or seeds a tree might drop
how quickly a tree will grow

Memorial plaques are not installed at the base of, or attached to any part of the tree. However, if you would like a memorial plaque you may be interested in sponsoring a bench.

Planting privately-owned trees

If you intend to plant trees in your front or rear garden, we recommend that you take into account:

The size of space available

Bear this in mind when deciding on the tree species and look at the ultimate size of any tree you're considering. There's nothing worse than having to do work on a tree because it has grown too big for its location. By choosing carefully, it's possible to avoid future expensive tree surgery bills and unsightly looking trees

The location of the intended tree

Will it block out light to your house or your neighbour's house, or impact on a nearby structure such as a fence or shed?

The type of soil

If your property is located on shrinkable clay then plant a low water demand species. A good tree nursery should be able to advise you on tree species. Avoid planting willows, poplars and oaks

The time you have to carry out maintenance

This includes watering, mulching, stake maintenance and pruning to ensure a well shaped tree in the future, within the first couple years of planting.

Further guidance on tree planting and aftercare is available from The Tree Council.

Advice on tree pruning

All work to council owned and maintained trees is carried out using best arboricultural practice in line with the current British Standard 3998:2010 Tree work - Recommendations.

Please note the tree preservation legislation that came into force on 6 April 2012 which affects all existing and new tree preservation orders.

Before carrying out any pruning works to trees, bear in mind the following points:

ask yourself what you are trying to achieve
be aware that often a short term fix can further aggravate a problem in the long term. For example, if a tree is reduced or thinned to give more light, remember that this can result in even more foliage within a very short space of time
if you are intending to carry out work to a tree not owned by yourself, please contact the owner prior to doing any work, even if this includes trimming back any overhanging branches. (If the tree is council owned or maintained please contact us to discuss the matter).
before doing any work, check with us to see whether the tree(s) are located in a conservation area or covered by a tree preservation order
if you are unable to do the work yourself, employ a fully insured professional and fully certified tree surgeon to do the work on your behalf and ask for their advice about the proposed work. Read our advice on employing a tree surgeon
all work should be done according to best arboricultural practice

Works to trees protected by a tree preservation order or located in a conservation area

Privately owned trees in Cheltenham play a large part in creating the ambience of the town and help to soften the impact of the ever increasing urban environment. The tree preservation order legislation protects trees which make a significant contribution to the local environment. There are approximately 550 tree preservation orders (TPOs) in place in Cheltenham.

Before carrying out work on a tree covered by a TPO you must first apply for and receive permission from the council
To check whether a tree is covered by a TPO or to apply for permission to carry out work on a protected tree, please contact us at trees@cheltenham.gov.uk

Trees in one of the seven conservation areas in Cheltenham (Central, St. Marks, Prestbury, Cudnall, Charlton Kings, Swindon Village and Bafford) are also given a level of protection. This means that before work can be carried out on trees (with trunk diameters of 75mm and above, measured at 1.5m from ground level) in these designated areas, a formal notification must be submitted to the trees officer. This will enable us to assess the tree's potential for a tree preservation order.

For more information please contact trees@cheltenham.gov.uk.