Trees are an integral part of Bedford Park’s appeal. Jonathan Carr, the estate’s founder, and his architects planted many additional trees to create a village atmosphere.
However, over the years, disease, age and storms have taken their toll and a replacement programme for the suburb’s street trees has been vital.
Not only would our streets look stark and empty without any trees but their shapes and colours soften the urban brick and concrete, as well as providing a range of environmental benefits, which are often underestimated.
We have been successful in establishing a dialogue with the officers responsible for tree management in both boroughs, which enables us to be better informed of future plans and to discuss tree management within Bedford Park.
Trees in gardens
Under Section 211, Town and Country Planning Act 1990 all trees in the Conservation Areas are protected by law. It is an offence to deliberately damage or destroy a tree by cutting down, topping, lopping, uprooting or by any other means without permission from the local planning authority.
Trees are defined as those where the diameter of the trunk is greater than 75mm measured 1.5m above the ground. Six weeks’ notice must be given before any work is started.
You can check the steps you need to take to carry out work on a tree in your garden (below) and also how to make a query or complaint about a street tree.
Hounslow Council
To find out how to carry out works on a garden tree:
Council guidelines for garden trees
For street tree problems:
Report a problem with a street or park tree
Responsibility for the trees is contracted to Hounslow Highways.
Find out how trees are managed.
Ealing Council
To find out how to carry out works on a garden tree:
How to carry out works on a garden tree
For street tree problems:
How the Council manages street trees and to report a problem with a street or park tree
Further information on the council’s tree strategy
Tree felling and replacement of street trees
Street trees are the responsibility of the respective councils.
We are aware of a number of street trees with branches touching roofs or too close to windows and of trees potentially causing subsidence in the Hounslow borough. We are discussing this with the Council.
The main species currently planted in the suburb are Lime, Acer, Prunus, Ash, Silver Birch, Hazel and Chestnut but disease of the latter from the leaf-mining moth has caused early leaf loss and Ash dieback is a continuing problem. The Society is in discussion with both councils about suitable species for future planting, recognising that size is dependant on the quality of tree pits and surrounding earth as well as overall space. If the right species is selected, tree growth and maintenance of pavements can be managed. The Society encourages the planting of broad-leaved forest species to preserve the character of the Conservation Areas.
Thanks to our regular dialogue with the councils and our meetings walking around Bedford Park with the tree officers, we are able to discuss the inspection programme in place for both boroughs and which trees will be pruned or replaced, as necessary. Wherever possible, felling of trees should be avoided since it takes many years for a new sapling tree to replace the benefits of a mature tree.
Ealing Council
Following the Council’s three-year surveys, trees are identified as being diseased and/or dangerous and in need of felling.
Many of the felled trees have been replaced but others have since become problematic. We continue to check for remaining empty tree pits and any which have been filled with tarmac. We have also reviewed requests for replacement trees with the Council.
We are continuing to discuss the replanting programme, the species selected and on-going tree planting in the suburb. The Council has advised us that if they receive a request for a new tree, they are often prepared to supply one.
Covid and limited resources had a significant impact on the Council’s survey programme and pruning schedule but much of the backlog has since been resolved. The next inspection and pruning cycle are due in the winter of 2025/26.
Hounslow Council
Finding suitable tree pits for new plantings is becoming more difficult because of the proliferation of services under the pavements.
There are continuing problems with horse chestnuts because of age, disease, and leaf miner moth infection. It is not known to what extent this impacts the longevity of trees. As a result, Hounslow may use crown lifting more than pruning to avoid risking the health of the tree as growth has slowed. The Council works on a 3-year inspection cycle.
Complaints about trees and shrubs
Unfortunately, most of the problems raised are not considered justification for pruning by either council. Restricted light, sap and bird droppings, the size of the tree, allergies and minor ailments are not accepted as grounds for pruning/felling.
You can find details of the very limited grounds for pruning on the Ealing and Hounslow council websites from the links above.
Residents have reported concerns about overhanging trees and shrubs from gardens, which are a potential hazard to pedestrians on the footpaths, particularly in the dark. We would ask you to check whether any growth from your garden might be causing a problem and if necessary to prune back.
While they are such an integral part of Bedford Park, many of our street trees have grown too large as a result of lack of pruning or insufficient pruning. We will continue to try to influence the local authorities to take action to resolve this.