Advice on how to deal with damaged and fallen trees

Extremely wet ground conditions can make trees more vulnerable to wind damage, particularly if they are already in a weakened condition as the result of disease.

The council has an ongoing programme of inspections for all of the trees that it owns, which are located almost entirely within recreational land and public green spaces.

Parish councils are responsible for trees growing on land in their ownership, while the majority of trees growing on roadside verges are the responsibility of West Sussex County Council.

If trees are growing on private land it is always the landowner who is responsible for them.

Unless a tree is deemed to be imminently hazardous, it is important to check that it is not listed as having a Tree Preservation Order, or growing within a conservation area, before carrying out any remedial work.

Contact the council’s planning team for advice on these such trees by emailing the planning team or call 01403 215515.

Other useful contacts are listed below:

Horsham District Council’s Parks & Countryside team: [email protected] / 01403 215255

West Sussex County Council’s Highways team: [email protected] / 01243 642105

Environment Agency Floodline: 0845 988 1188

Environment Agency Enquiries: 0800 807060

For more information flooding in general, a useful guide can be found on HDC’s website.