Report a tree problem

Our qualified tree officers regularly inspect trees owned and managed by the Council.

During an inspection, we look for:

• signs of decay or disease
• dead, damaged or dying branches
• structural defects
• movement around the base of the tree
• new cracks in the ground near the tree
• changes in the tree's lean
• the tree's overall health and condition

If we do not find any significant concerns, the tree is considered to be low risk.

On Waverley-owned land:

Report a tree issue online

On non-Waverley land:

The Forestry Commission is the government agency responsible for ash dieback.

Contact the Forestry Commission about other tree pests and diseases.

Trees naturally grow near homes, roads and public spaces. Across Surrey, millions of trees stand close to buildings and other structures.

While trees can never be completely risk-free, the likelihood of a healthy tree failing is very low. Trees provide significant benefits for wildlife, air quality, climate resilience and the local landscape.

We only carry out work when a tree presents an unacceptable risk, such as evidence that it is more likely to fail.

A leaning tree is not necessarily unsafe.

Trees may lean because they are:

• growing towards sunlight
• responding to nearby trees
• following a natural growth pattern

If the lean has been present for a long time and the roots remain stable, the tree is usually considered safe.

Our officers can compare current and historic photographs to check whether the lean has changed over time.

No, like any landowner, we are not required to cut trees back to boundary lines.

We manage a large number of trees and prioritise work where there is a safety concern or evidence of direct damage.

You can trim branches or roots that cross into your property boundary.

However, you must:

• Only cut back to the boundary line
• Avoid damaging the tree
• Dispose of any waste responsibly

If the work requires access to the Council's land or the tree needs to be climbed, permission must be obtained from the Council first.

Neither you nor your contractor can access or work on a Council-owned tree without permission.

Before carrying out any work, check whether the tree is protected by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) or is located within a Conservation Area. You may need permission from the Council before any work can take place.

In most cases, no, reducing the height of a tree is not generally considered good tree management. It can weaken the tree, create future maintenance issues and increase the risk of defects developing. We only consider height reduction where it is necessary for safety reasons.

A tree's height does not automatically make it unsafe. Its condition, structure and health are much more important factors.

No, loss of light is not usually considered a legal nuisance. There is no general legal right to sunlight reaching a garden or outdoor space. In some circumstances, concerns about very tall evergreen hedges may be considered under high hedge legislation.

We only carry out tree work when it is necessary.

Unnecessary pruning can:

• reduce the tree's health
• damage wildlife habitats
• increase future maintenance requirements
• conflict with modern tree management practices

We are one of the most wooded areas in England. Trees play an important role in supporting wildlife, capturing carbon, improving air quality and helping communities adapt to climate change.