Q. When is the Tree Planting Season?

A. The tree planting season varies slightly from year to year due to weather but as a general rule runs from the end of November through to the beginning of March. This period coincides with the dormant period for deciduous trees, i.e. the time during the winter when they have no leaves.

Q. What are "deciduous trees"?

A. Deciduous trees are those trees that drop their leaves in the autumn and produce new leaves the following spring. Common examples of deciduous trees would be Ash, Birch, Beech, Oak, Sycamore and Willow

Q. Can you plant trees at any other time of the year?

A. Yes, but you must use what are termed "containerised trees". These are trees grown in pots, such as you would see in a garden centre. These trees are more expensive to buy and require greater care after planting, especially watering.

Q. What is the "sticky stuff" that falls on my car when I park it under certain trees?

A. The "sticky stuff" is called honeydew and is the result of aphids (greenfly) feeding on the leaves of certain trees, in particular Lime trees. Honeydew is tree sap, which is composed mainly of sugars and water. It washes off with soap and water.

Q. Where does the Parks Department get its trees?

A. The Parks Department advertises a tree & shrub tender each year. The trees are purchased where possible from Irish nurseries, based on prices submitted. Some trees are also purchased from U.K. and continental nurseries.

Q. When is the best time to prune a tree?

A. The best time for most trees for pruning is during the dormant season i.e. December to February. Pruning should be done as early as possible as some trees such as Birch can loose a lot of the rising sap through late pruning cuts. This can reduce the vigour of the tree.

Q. What is the Council's policy regarding the removal of trees in residential housing estates?

A. The Parks Department removes trees for various reasons but always after careful consideration of alternative options. Trees are removed where they are diseased, dying, or dead. They are also removed where they are blocking streetlights, causing footpaths to lift or where the tree has grown too large for the area.

Q. When does the grass cutting season start?

A. Grass cutting usually starts in March of each year and carries on throughout the summer and autumn up until the end of October/early November depending on weather conditions.

Q. How often is the grass cut in parks and open spaces?

A. The grass is cut approximately once every two weeks although this can vary from time to time due to weather conditions.

Q. When is the best time to sow new grass?

A. The best time of the year to sow and establish grass is in the early autumn (August/September) when soil temperatures are high and the soil is usually dry enough to be cultivated while retaining sufficient moisture for germination.

The parks Department carries out new development work including sowing of grass from April/May through to October and sometimes outside these months, where weather conditions permit.

Q. Why doesn’t the tractor cut the verge beside my house after it has cut the open space?

A. The roadside verges in housing estates, where they have been taken-in-charge by the County Council, are not automatically the Parks Department’s responsibility to maintain. However, the Parks Department generally cuts the grass margins in front of public open spaces in housing estates because they are not immediately outside any particular houses and would probably not be cut by anybody. It is expected that householders would cut the grass margin in front, or to the side of, their own house.

Q. Why did the tractor only cut some grass and leave lines of grass sticking up?

A. Grass cutting takes place even in wet weather unless the ground conditions are very poor. When grass is cut when wet, the tyres flatten the grass, which temporarily sticks together and does not get cut as the mower passes over. When the grass dries out, the uncut grass stands up and appears uncut. It is usually dealt with on the next cut.

Q. Why is gravel used as the surface material in the children’s playgrounds in the Regional Parks?

A. Pea gravel is used as a safety surface in the large children’s playgrounds. It is a very effective material in the reduction of accidents where children fall from the equipment. In order to be effective, at least 300mm (1 foot) depth of gravel must be used around the equipment. It is also cost effective for covering large areas, lasts longer and is in the long term more economical than most other materials

Q. How do I arrange for a tree to be planted or pruned?

A. Each year, a list of requests for tree planting and pruning are compiled. This list is called the “Arboricultural Program”. All items listed on this program are systematically examined and are followed up if possible within budget constraints. In order to have your request listed; you should write to the Parks Department ,City Hall, Quay Street , Sligo

Q. Do I need permission to cut or remove a tree in a private garden?

A. In general, a tree felling licence is required to cut or fell a tree, application forms are available at your nearest Garda Station. However certain exemptions apply. Licences are not required: -

1. If a tree is within 33 metres of an existing dwelling on land owned by the occupier of the dwelling.
2. If a tree is dead or diseased and is in danger of falling onto a public pavement or roadway.

Trees may not be felled if they are subject to a Tree Preservation Order. Failure to observe a Tree Preservation Order can lead to a Court Appearance and a large fine!

Q. How do I get a licence to use a City Council Playing Pitch?

A. Application forms are available from Sligo Regional Sports Centre. In order to qualify for a “Pitch Letting” an applicant must possess ‘Public Indemnity Insurance’ and be affiliated to a recognised ‘Sporting Association’.

Q. Will the City Council collect the grass on our open space?

A. It is not feasible or environmentally sound to collect grass from open spaces. We are always open to discuss other alternatives. The organic farm at Cleveragh Estate will take herbicide free grass from residents associations.

Q. Can our resident's association help with the maintenance of our open space?

A. Yes, Sligo Borough Council actually encourages the involvement and participation of resident’s associations in the management of their estates and open spaces. Bona fide residents associations can apply for funding to maintain open space under the community and environmental grant scheme which is advertised in March each year. Currently 36 residents associations are supported under this scheme. Money is allocated to assist residents in providing trees, shrubs, bedding, bulbs. Representatives from the Parks section are available to meet with residents groups to formulate long-term plans for their estate.

Q. Can our group use the Parks/Open space for a sports day or activity?

A. The answer is yes; providing you write to us in advance to obtain a licence. We will grant a licence providing you show proof of Insurance and a description of the activity to show it is safe and not harmful.