Managing the risk from trees is the responsibility of the duty holder. This guidance has been developed to support the duty holder, including householders, landowners and others involved in the management of trees, whether connected with streets, parks, public open spaces, businesses such as hotels or farms, private estates, woodland, commercial forestry, utilities or private gardens. This edition of the guidance integrates and updates issues concerning trees and their management for public safety, and the environmental, social and economic benefits trees provide.

This document brings together concepts from several other national and international guidance documents, such as those related to general tree surveying, and covering specific issues connected with tree hazard assessment and management and tree-related risk. Several national and specialist organisations have also produced guidance for forestry and nature conservation, as well as for health and safety regulators. There is also policy guidance for wider sector interests in trees, including for parks, greenspaces and access to the countryside.