Trees in Portsmouth
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.
- Follow the link to read more about Portsmouth City Council’s vision and charter for Portsmouth’s trees
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 an issue with a tree, or find out how to request collection of fallen leaves during October and November. Read more about how Colas maintain our on street trees here.
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.
Follow the link to 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. Although the council is unable to recommend any particular tree surgery firms, you can download a useful guide produced by the Arboricultural Association.
Brown Tail Moth and caterpillar
The caterpillars of the Brown Tail Moth release hairs that can cause skin irritation or a painful rash which 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.
The council successfully eradicated Brown Tail moth from its land, but should you be unfortunate enough to have an infestation on your property, you can report it by contacting us at City Helpdesk or emailing cityhelpdesk@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.
