Trees contribute enormously to the beauty and quality of parks and open spaces and enhance the city’s landscape. They provide shade, filter pollutants, screen undesirable views and provide valuable habitat for wildlife, as well as giving structure, shape and height to spaces.
Trees are highly valued by many people and, in such a dense urban environment as Portsmouth, it is particularly important that they are actively cared for.
View our information graphic about Portsmouth trees.
Read more about Portsmouth City Council’s vision and Portsmouth tree charter.
Tree management
The council manages and maintains more than 25,000 trees, with the help of external contractors, Gristwood & Toms.
Over 8,000 trees on streets and highways are managed directly by Colas, because their highway location means they are managed in a slightly different way – you can report a problem with a tree, or request a collection of fallen leaves. Read more about how Colas maintain our on street trees.
More than 3,000 trees of particular importance are subject to Tree Preservation Orders.
The council continues to support the Portsmouth and Southsea Tree Wardens, part of the Tree Council’s network of warden schemes involving local volunteers.
Download walking trail leaflets for Victoria Park and Milton Park, celebrating trees in our city parks.
Choosing a tree surgeon
Choosing a competent tree surgeon (sometimes called an arborist or arboriculturalist) can be difficult. Tree surgery, if not done properly, could lead to injury, damage to property or irreversible damage to your trees. We’re unable to make recommendations for tree surgery firms but you can find a professional tree surgeon at Trees.org
Brown Tail Moth and caterpillar
The caterpillars of the Brown Tail Moth release hairs that can cause skin irritation or a painful rash. The irritations and rashes can last 2-3 days. The caterpillar has distinctive markings: brown with a dotted white line down each side, and two very distinctive red dots on the back of its tail.
We successfully eradicated Brown Tail moth from our land, but if you find an infestation of Brown Tail moths on your property, you can report it by contacting us or emailing cityhelpdesk@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.