Harlow Council announces new proactive tree maintenance policy to better maintain trees
News / Wed 3rd Sep 2025 at 07:46am
FOR the first time in many years, Harlow Council is set to adopt a new proactive Tree Maintenance Policy – ensuring that the town’s much-loved trees are proactively cared for, not just reacted to when problems arise.
Until now, the council had no formal policy in place, and tree maintenance was largely reactive. The new policy, which is set to be agreed by Cabinet on Thursday 11 September, sets out a clear, proactive programme of inspections, maintenance, and planting across all council-owned trees in parks, streets, housing areas, cemeteries, and open spaces.
The policy also gives residents, developers, and planners clear guidance on how trees will be managed and what they can expect from the council.
Key commitments include:
- Regular inspections and proactive maintenance to keep trees safe, healthy, and thriving.
- Removing trees only when absolutely necessary and planting at least three new trees for every one lost.
- Expanding tree cover to tackle climate change, boost biodiversity, and enhance neighbourhoods.
- Protecting trees from pests and diseases with early intervention.
- Making trees central to regeneration and development projects across the town.
- Keeping residents informed about tree works before they happen.
To make sure urgent work is prioritised, the council is also introducing a new risk-based inspection system, focusing on trees close to homes, schools, roads, and busy public areas.
Announcing the new policy, Councillor Nicky Purse, Portfolio Holder for Environment, said:
“Trees are a big part of what makes Harlow special. They clean our air, provide homes for wildlife, and make our neighbourhoods greener and more welcoming. Our new policy moves us from a reactive approach to a proactive, planned way of managing our trees far more effectively.
“This will help us look after them properly, plan for the future and keep residents better informed. It’s about protecting what we have, planting for tomorrow, and making sure our green spaces thrive for generations to come.
“As we continue our work to renew neighbourhoods, we’re making sure Harlow’s trees remain safe, healthy, and well-managed. This is a real step forward for both our environment and our community.”
The council has set aside £250,000 this year for urgent tree work, with further funding to be considered in future budgets.
Nicholas Taylor
2025-09-03 08:23:51
The Harlow Alliance Party has been pressing the Council on this issue since September 2020, when a member of the Party asked a question of the Leader of the council about the lack of tree maintenance. Further questions followed in July 2021 and July 2022. Whist it is rather a sorry state that it has taken so long for the policy to emerge, the council should be commended for now producing one. Changes in the weather in recent years has seen the number of trees that have fallen increase, in some cases with very unfortunate consequences. Taking proactive action should ensure that such incidents are reduced as will the number of residents homes blighted by nearby trees. Nicholas Taylor, Leader of Harlow Alliance
Cheryl
2025-09-03 08:31:33
YesTrees do clean our air,they do provide a home for wildlife and they do make our neighbourhoods greener and more welcoming,so lets save as many as we can. Will any Trees be cut down when the new flats get built at the old post office car park?? How many Trees have been cut down in recent years to make way for newbuilds and i wonder how many more are going to be cut down on Harlows borders? Very sad.
Nicholas Taylor
2025-09-03 08:47:39
Cheryl makes a good point. On the flip side to the policy, the Council gave itself Planning Permission for new homes on the former Sherards House site, despite the objections of its own tree consultant who pointed out that six tree were to be removed to make way for the home. In fact, because they were trying to shoe horn 14 homes on this small piece of land, over 20 trees have been removed.
Kevin
2025-09-03 12:43:56
It's about time, many trees have been allowed to outgrow themselves and are dying. Regular pollarding not only helps the trees and allows them to remain strong it reduces the risk of falling branches. Because this has been left for a lot of years it's going to be a massive job, most people will appreciate that as long as they see this work being carried out
Shel
2025-09-03 17:13:24
Pollarding works if done correctly. Unfortunately, looking around Sumners, I have seen 2 trees that are practically dead after pollarding. Cheryl makes a good point about the trees in the post office car park. They are an absolute asset, shade in the summer, mopping up dirty air. Will these be preserved? I really hope so.
Bob's your uncle
2025-09-04 07:20:05
£250 Grand set aside for tree work, it's a start but won't go very far with the cost of tree surgeon's, my neighbour has been asking for two massive overhanging branches in her garden to be removed since 2008, still there and now dangerously heavy.
Brian Walker
2025-09-04 07:28:44
The trees around Pemberley school in Rivermill need looking at, they need trimming down a lot,especially over the small car park, the cars are always getting covered in bird poo
Anon
2025-09-04 11:48:55
Can't see how the trees in the post office car park can be saved, been there all my life and I'm 75 such a shame
Maskell
2025-09-05 20:51:01
It's about time. I was born in old harlow & I have watched green areas of our town demish. Mostly through neglect. Its such a shame. 250 grand is a start but it won't replace all the old trees that have been lost
Margaret Ingram
2025-09-07 00:36:34
What about trees that are next to houses and the concrete is lifting and they are very close to windows, I have mentioned this before and nothing has been done, I even said I would deal with it myself, well hopefully things will get sorted now!!.
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