Green Spaces tree section are responsible for all trees on Waltham Forest Council land, highways and in parks. This does not include trees growing in private gardens unless they are protected by Tree Preservation Order or situated within a Conservation Area but does include trees on Ascham Homes and Friday Hill properties.

We also provide advice to the public concerning privately owned trees, however we do not carry out maintenance works on private land.

To find out more about trees see frequently asked questions.

Routine street tree maintenance works

The Council is currently undertaking routine street tree pruning works across parts of the borough.

Works in in Cathall, Grove Green, High Street and William Morris wards have already been completed this year.

Survey work has been undertaken and work has already started in the Forest Ward. A survey of Wood Street has also been completed and works will commence in December 2011. In addition, Hoe Street Ward will be the last ward to be by completed by the end of this financial year, March 2012.

Once surveying work in all wards has been completed, comprehensive information on when routine street tree maintenance works will take place in your ward will be provided.

Regrettably, some trees will have to be felled if they are diseased, dying or dangerous to maintain public safety. Replacement trees will be planted where appropriate during autumn/winter 2011/12.

The felling work is carried out as part of a two stage process.  The first stage is to fell leaving a stump approximately one metre high above ground level to prevent causing a trip hazard. The second stage involves cutting the stump to ground level and then grinding out with a mechanical stump grinder. There is often a short delay in stump grinding as this procedure is normally carried out in one operation when all felling and pruning works have been completed within a ward.

The Council apologises for any inconvenience caused by these works.

How do I report a problem with a tree?

You can report a problem online or if you consider it to be an emergency (emergencies are dealt with immediately) contact Waltham Forest Direct on 020 8496 3000 providing us with as much information as you can, for example:

  • Location of tree (including a house number when appropriate or if situated in a private garden, park, Council property, etc.)
  • The nature of the request (i.e. needs pruning, removal, etc)

What happens next?

Once your request has been received the process is:

  • Passed to a Tree Officer who will inspect the tree, normally within ten working days unless it is dangerous
  • Once the survey has taken place, if the Tree Officer deems that work is needed a Works Order request is raised. You will be advised of the action to be taken
  • In accordance with Waltham Forest’s procurement rules, we will obtain competitive quotations from tree contractors to achieve value for money and the work is then commissioned

The whole process from inspection to completion can take up to eight weeks depending upon the volume of work. However due to a high level of enquiries we currently have a backlog of tree works which will be completed within the next six weeks.

What is classed as a ‘dangerous’ tree?

  • A tree that is in danger of falling over
  • Being hit by a vehicle
  • A branch that is hanging or likely to fall off

Contact us

If you have not heard from us within eight weeks contact Waltham Forest Direct on 020 8496 3000 or email wfdirect@walthamforest.gov.uk