We look after all parks and open spaces owned by us.

This involves:

  • cutting grass
  • weeding shrubs and other planted areas
  • pruning and hedge cutting
  • trimming and removing trees (if needed to improve public safety)
  • clearing leaves
  • planting floral displays and bedding plants
  • repairing damage to path edges, walls, and fences
  • maintaining cemeteries

This is just a few of the activities carried out by our Grounds Maintenance teams. They manage a large range of other horticultural operations, other repair and maintenance matters.

We get a lot of enquiries about our work and have prepared a set of answers to the most frequently asked questions. If the answer to your question is not listed, then please contact us using the details below.


Frequently asked questions

  1. How often does grass on general open spaces get cut?
  2. Are grass clippings removed after grass cutting operations?
  3. Are grass cutting operations undertaken during wet weather conditions?
  4. Are grass clippings removed from paths and roads?
  5. Are all general grass open spaces open to the public maintained by Falkirk Council?
  6. Why is all the grass in my street not cut at the same time?
  7. How often is grass cut on steep slopes?
  8. How often are rural verges cut?
  9. How often are hedges cut?
  10. Can we get a high hedge cut that belongs to a neighbour?
  11. Does Falkirk Council maintain open spaces in Private Housing Developments?
  12. How often are shrub beds pruned?
  13. Can we come onto council ground to collect firewood?
  14. Fallen leaves are causing a nuisance, can the trees be removed?
  15. Trees are blocking light into my house/garden, can these be removed?
  16. Can we have some trees planted?
  17. Can we carry out work on our own trees on private ground?
  18. Can a private individual prune or fell trees on council ground?
  19. Will the council cut trees within the gardens of council houses?
  20. Do the council maintain trees on private ground?
  21. A tree is blocking the signal to our satellite dish, can we have tree removed?
  22. A tree is growing up through phone cables, can the tree be cut back?
  23. How often is weed killer applied to footways and road kerb edges?
  24. How often is weed killer applied to shrub beds?
  25. What type of weed killer is used for control of weeds in shrub beds and footways?

Grass

How often does grass on general open spaces get cut?

Approximately every 3 weeks between March and October weather permitting.


Are grass clippings removed after grass cutting operations?

Grass clippings are not removed from general open space grass areas.


Are grass cutting operations undertaken during wet weather conditions?

Yes grass cutting operations are undertaken in wet weather conditions but severe weather can curtail operations.


Are grass clippings removed from paths and roads?

Any grass clippings left on paths and roads should kept to minimum however it is not practical to move between grass areas without leaving some grass clippings on hard surfaces.


Are all general grass open spaces open to the public maintained by Falkirk Council?

No many areas are not the responsibility of Falkirk Council and are maintained by others on private land.


Why is all the grass in my street not cut at the same time?

Because different types of machinery are used to cut grass, the teams sometimes don't get the whole area complete on the same day.


How often is grass cut on steep slopes?

Each steep slope has as a site specific risk assessment undertaken and if it cannot be cut using normal range of machinery the site will then be cut at a reduced frequency using specialised machinery which can be safely operated on steep slopes.


How often are rural verges cut?

Rural verges are cut 3 times per year between June and October.


Hedges

How often are hedges cut?

Hedges which are the responsibility of Falkirk Council are cut twice per year between June and October.


Can we get a high hedge cut that belongs to a neighbour?

Any issues relating to the high hedges should be addressed through the planning department (01324 504950).


Other

Does Falkirk Council maintain open spaces in Private Housing Developments?

Yes in some private developments but to very specific tasks such as grass cutting and weed control as Falkirk Council is not the land owner in these developments. Falkirk Council is not responsible for other features such as fences, walls and mature trees.


How often are shrub beds pruned?

Shrub beds are pruned once per year during November and March. Only in exceptional circumstances, when they obstruct footways or traffic visibility, will pruning be undertaken during growing season.


Can we come onto council ground to collect firewood?

We will not give permission to anyone to come onto council ground to cut or collect firewood.


Trees

Fallen leaves are causing a nuisance, can the trees be removed?

The council will not remove a healthy tree purely for this reason. Council street cleansing arrangements include provisions for removing leaf litter.


Trees are blocking light into my house/garden, can these be removed?

We will not remove healthy trees purely for this reason. The trees can be inspected and a decision made on whether any remedial works are required.


Can we have some trees planted?

Requests will be assessed on a case by case basis for suitability.


Can we carry out work on our own trees on private ground?

Trees covered by a Tree Preservation Order or trees that are in a conservation area require permissions before works can commence. You should contact the planning department (01324 504950) for information and to obtain permission.


Can a private individual prune or fell trees on council ground?

The council does not allow any private individual to carry out tree work on council ground. This includes having contractors employed to work on council trees.


Will the council cut trees within the gardens of council houses?

It is the responsibility of tenants to maintain trees within their own garden. Tenants should contact their housing officer to discuss any issues.


Do the council maintain trees on private ground?

We have no responsibility for trees growing on private ground, unless the trees are causing a safety issue or an obstruction on an adopted road or footpath. In this instance, telephone the Area Roads Officer on 01324 504610 who will investigate it.


A tree is blocking the signal to our satellite dish, can we have tree removed?

We will not remove a tree for this reason.


A tree is growing up through phone cables, can the tree be cut back?

It is the responsibility of BT Open Reach to prune back trees from cables, if it is required.


Weed killer

How often is weed killer applied to footways and road kerb edges?

Weed killer is applied footways and roads twice per year between June and September.


How often is weed killer applied to shrub beds?

Weed killer is applied to shrub beds twice per year between May and October.


What type of weed killer is used for control of weeds in shrub beds and footways?

The active ingredient of the product used is Glyphosate. The Glyphosate product used is a non-toxic product which has full label approval use for parks and does not harm pets or wildlife.