Trees and woodlands

Tree guidance

**The Forestry Squad is currently prioritising emergency works on diseased ash trees affected by Ash Dieback and other emergency tree works only. This means all other routine tree works are temporarily suspended.**

About our service

We are responsible for the management of all trees in council ownership. Our Tree Officer and Forestry Squad, part of Amenity Services, are responsible for the management of thousands of trees in our parks, open spaces and woodland across East Lothian. The Forestry Squad carry out work instructed by our Tree Officer. The squad consists of seven experienced Arborists and Foresters.

Any property owner has the common law right to prune back to their boundary branches that overhang their property from trees in adjacent land. However, anyone wishing to prune back branches must follow the advice and legal procedures set out here, which includes the appropriate consents where applicable and undertaking any such work without disturbing nesting birds.

Council trees

The council is only responsible for maintaining trees on land we own, or for which we have legal responsibility.

We are responsible for looking after:

  • trees in streets (with some exceptions)
  • trees on council managed housing estates
  • trees in gardens of council tenants
  • trees in parks and open spaces
  • woodlands under council ownership
  • trees in schools
  • trees in cemeteries and churchyards (with some exemptions)

We are not responsible for:

  • private gardens - contact the property owner
  • leasehold gardens (contact the property occupier)
  • trees on trunk roads (contact Transport Scotland)
  • trees on land directly managed by Housing Associations (contact the appropriate association)
  • Tree Preservation Orders - read about Tree Preservation Orders 

Make a tree request

To report an emergency in relation to a tree, like a dangerous or damaged tree or a branch overhanging a road or footpath: call us on 01620 827 827 or email landscapeandcountryside@eastlothian.gov.uk

For advice on trees managed by East Lothian Council - contact our Tree Officer: trees@eastlothian.gov.uk