Question

Anybody have experience with getting the council to manage a tree on public land? We plan to cut back the over hang but the tree is huge and in bad weather you can hear it creaking on our fence. Last year I used the local council request app for help with a wasp nest and they never responded. Not sure how to make the request for the tree.  

Answer 1

If any tree or bush overhangs a private property it can be cut back to the boundary. Tree Preservation orders 'TPO' isnt effected you are in your rights to cut it back. Climb as high as you can n trim the life out of it.  

Comments

Ps just incase no one understands the boundaries rules, your property extends vertically and downwards. Hence why those idiotic flyinging things (drones) are not allowed over your property without permission. Its your boundary

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@impeccant completely incorrect, if a tree has a tpo you are absolutely not allowed to trim back overhanging branches without applying first.  

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@drayage751 . Trimmed a few trees in my time with TPOs on them. Phone the Local tree huggers theyve never refused yet. They know if its invading your property , damaging or causing problems , you can cut it back.  

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@drayage751 also trees with TPOs are normally well maintained by the local authority parks dept, with regular inspections that are recorded. if not there not looking after them properly.  

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@impeccant depends where you are and how many tree officers are looking after that area. I used to be on my local authority Tree team. Definitely not always the case. And you can’t go around telling people it’s fine to cut bits off trees with a preservation order on, you will end up landing them with a fine

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@drayage751 true but the tree officer soon turns up. Only joking. What do you call it in the trade. a sympathetic trim with the officer present

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@impeccant as if a tree officer is gonna come out, wait and guide you on a job  they’ll either shut you down or inspect it afterwards and fine you

Answer 2

If its damaging your fence then they need tp cut it back.  

Answer 3

Put it straight in writing saying you have concerns about it and that if it were to fall you would take them to court. Point out it is causing issues with the fence and your property. They’re responsible for it and it’s upkeep. People moved in next door to my mums and did this and they cut it down completely within a couple of weeks.  

Comments

@larrabee2548 ok I'll do that. I don't necessarily want it cutting down as it acts as good cover in the summer from the building behind it. But it definately needs some maintenance I think and while I'm happy to cut back the growth that comes into our garden, I'm not keen to manage the whole tree. The creaking in windy weather is a worry though, if it did fall it would reach our house. So maybe maybe The reassurance that they've had someone out to check it all over and cut it back down a bit.  

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@larrabee2548 yeah would be a shame if they chopped it down completely. But my anxiety doesn't like the creaking noises it makes when we have any kind of wind. Sound a like my fence is ready to buckle  

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@lateen tell them if it comes down and takes the fence with it, there may be 2 big angry dogs let loose  

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@reenareenforce haha 2 angry dogs savaging the old people's Yorkshire terriers. That should get a response lol

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@lateen haha exactly!  

Answer 4

Try ringing the parks and gardens department and say if it is not done you will be claiming go for a damaged fence

Answer 5

Probably got a TPO You shouldn’t cut anything yourselves

Comments

@salem4 a TPO? We haven't cut anything yet, was just planning on the branches that are coming over our garden. The lower ones my daughter has taken to jumping up and pulling the leaves off the branches they're that low  

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@lateen tree preservation order, lol yeah got on to the council try google your local tree warden from council and contact them

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@salem4 tree warden. Got it. I'll have a look into it over the weekend and ring Monday. Wasn't sure what department handled stuff like this :)

Answer 6

I kept asking the council as the one over my fence was nearly touching my house got ignored a few times then explained if one of the branches fell into my garden and injured one of my children I would sue . 2 days later they came and pollarded it  

Answer 7

Does your council have a Tree Warden? There must be someone at the council responsible for trees.  

Comments

@grubbs I'm going to look into a tree warden and try on Monday. Wasn't sure who dealt with it but I've had some good advice from here :)

Answer 8

It's also a big issue for dropping seeds. In the last 7 years we've had to pull up 3 new tree growths that have sprouted up ‍♀️ I'm assuming this tree is the culprit anyway. The last one rooted into broken concrete near our back door  

Comments

@lateen we had the same problem with an ash tree. We pestered the council asking to have it cut down as it was growing towards our house and all the growth was over one side of it where it the leaves were trying to reach for the light. They sent someone out who said it was fine, so we told them that we had informed our solicitors what they said and when it falls down damaging our property, they would be held fully accountable. That week a pink cross appeared on it and was felled 6 months later after more harassment from us.  

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@carnay I'll make sure to be firm. I don't really want it felled because it's a lovely tree and blocks the view of the building behind. But I do have safety concerns and want to looked at and maybe larger branches cutting back to reduce risk of falling. more worried now I know it's an ash tree. Just looked at the council page and ash dieback is in our area and they have an action plan in place and predict up to a 90% loss of the trees as they succumb to the disease! If this tree falls it will cause serious damage to our house and land in my girls bedroom. Or if it goes the other way there's an elderly residential building a few foot away  

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@lateen if it gets ash dieback the council will have to fell it.  

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@drayage751 thank you. I'll check with the council about the TPO and if they're ok with us doing work on it we'll pay for someone to cut it back abit to reduce the risk to our fence atleast. I Really don't want it felled. I live in a built up area so I like the greenery  

Answer 9

Can you contact a tree surgeon?  

Answer 10

Write a letter (or get one from solicitor/citizens advice) stating that any damage caused by the tree you'll seek full compensation (consultation first though) good luck