Roadside trees and hedges
We are responsible for trees and hedges growing on pavements and road verges on adopted roads in Cheshire East beyond the boundary of private land. Where hedges and trees mark the boundary of private land, they are the responsibility of the landowner or occupier.
Report a tree or hedge issue
You can report a tree or hedge issue online.
Before you report a tree or hedge issue
We only prune and remove trees and hedges where they are causing an obstruction, blocking visibility, or putting road users at risk in some other way.
We do not remove or prune roadside trees to improve television reception or due to leaf-fall, berries, tree sap, bird fouling or lack of light.
Report a tree or hedge issue
After you report a tree or hedge issue
When we get reports of tree or hedge issues, we check the situation and assess what action to take. We prioritise work according to the level of risk to road or property users or to property.
Roadside tree and hedge maintenance
What we do to maintain roadside trees and hedges we are responsible for;
Work to maintain roadside trees and hedges we are responsible for includes:
- pruning trees and hedges to keep roads and pavements safe and free from obstructions (we usually cut hedges in November)
- carrying out regular inspections to find any potential hazards that might put road users or property at risk
- removing hazards we identify or are told about
- dealing with tree-related emergencies
- carrying out a modest programme of roadside tree planting, in co-operation with town and parish councils
What owners and occupiers must do to maintain roadside trees and hedges
Owners and occupiers are responsible for maintaining trees and hedges on their property or that mark the boundary to their property.
Where trees or hedges grow up to or over a road, footway, cycle way or public right of way or overhand, owners and occupiers have a legal duty to:
- keep trees and hedges trimmed so road users can see road signs, junctions and bends clearly and people can pass without problems
- remove branches and other growth that may cause problems for high-sided vehicles or hide light from a street light
- remove trees and other plants that may fall across the road or pavement - we can do the work in an emergency and charge you the costs; call 0300 123 5020 (Monday to Friday 8:30am – 5:00pm ) or 0300 123 5025 (Monday to Friday after 5pm and before 8:30am, weekends and bank holidays)
- clear away debris from tree work (including on the footway and drainage)
- pay our costs for carrying out any work we do on their behalf, including any costs for controlling the flow of traffic or closing the road
Where trees or hedges are a causing a problem and owners refuse to carry out their legal duty, we can prune, chop or fell the tree or hedge concerned. Under the Highways Act 1980 (section 154), the owner or occupier must pay our costs.