Tree management

There are about 22,000 trees in our municipality. We think trees are important for a green, healthy and pleasant living environment. Therefore, we take good care of the trees.

Pruning of trees

We prune the trees once every 3 to 4 years. We do this according to agreements in the Tree Handbook[BV1]. We only prune branches that are bad or dangerous. Healthy trees are left alone as much as possible.

We are also allowed to prune during the breeding season. So there is no ban on pruning during this period. But we are not allowed to cause damage to protected animals or their nests.
The contractors we hire must first properly check for nests (Quick scan). Then they prune with Health. If there are nests, we postpone pruning.

Trees provide:

• a green street
• fresh air
• a healthy living environment
• More animals and plants (biodiversity)
• shade and less heat

Nuisance from trees

We regularly receive reports about trees. For example, by:

• shade in the garden
• falling leaves, fruits or lint

This is part of trees. It is a natural nuisance. We do not prune for this. Not even if a tree gives less sunlight on solar panels.

We always make careful consideration. We look at:

• the importance of the tree for nature, health and living environment
• the nuisance you experience

We are following the tree policy plan here.

Note: Is a tree touching your house or obstructing your passage? If so, please report it via our Public Space Notification website.

Suffering from oak processionary caterpillar? In the Map you can see which trees have been preventively treated.

Roots on your own land

Sometimes tree roots come up on your own property. This is called root pressure. You may remove thin roots up to 4 cm thick yourself. Are the roots thicker? Please report this via our website Report public space.

When do we cut down?

Sometimes a tree is diseased or dangerous. Then it must be cut down. Felled trees can be identified by an orange dot on the trunk.

• Felling we do throughout the year. Even in the breeding season it is allowed. But we do not cut if there are birds or other animals in the tree.
• We plant new trees between October and March.
• We always plant a tree back. Can't do it in the same place? Then we plant a new tree somewhere else in the neighborhood.

New trees get extra Health. They get support poles, water and are lightly pruned. Does a tree still die? Then we plant a new one.

After 2 years, we transfer the maintenance to our regular contractor for regular maintenance.

Tree Safety Check

Every 3 to 4 years, an expert inspects all trees. It looks at the safety and health of the tree.

Diseased or dangerous trees we check more often, sometimes every year. If necessary, the municipality prunes or uproots the tree.