This article looks at the guidance and good practice in tree maintenance. It examines the problems and consequences of trees in public spaces, in particular those trees along highways, and details a number of key legal cases where the courts have determined that reasonably practical precautions in relation to tree inspections had not been taken. Also addressed are the problems of damage caused by tree roots, in particular damage caused to buildings and the increase in legal cases where there are alleged cases of slip and trip injuries. The article details a number of organisations specialising tree management and a selection of recent publications in this subject area, publishers include, the Forestry Commission and the Highways Agency. Causes of tree damage problems are discussed, with extreme weather playing it's part, and the historical problem of unsuitable trees being planted in public places and damage caused by excavations. The article highlights the current methods employed by a number of local authorities to monitor trees and the use of bespoke software and GIS to record and manage the problem.