Can you have trees in your garden protected?

krlyr

Perhaps it would be of more benefit to the wood pigeons to have the trees removed yourself - then you can ensure it's done at the right time of year where you won't destroy a nest with eggs/chicks in, and allow the pigeons to relocate in time. As Leif says, replace them with something that will benefit wildlife without being quite as intrusive

Mrs_Arcanum

TPOs tend to be put in place where a tree will affect the view from a conservation area. Such as the huge Beech tree at our old house. Conifers are rarely considered worth a TPO as they grow so quickly and can be affected by High Hedge rules where a TPO would not apply.

adouglasmhor

Leif wrote: »

Unfortunately TPOs are put in place by council wonks who often do not give a fig for the home owner. I had an offer accepted on a house with a modest 15m garden. Then I found there was a TPO on an oak tree in the middle of the garden. Somehow I'd missed that, and Google showed that in summer the tree completely shaded the house, and the garden. It was massive. No doubt it also sucked moisture out of the soil during the summer. It was totally out of place. The council did not want to know. They said the TPO could not be lifted. There was an order allowing pruning, but not much.

I could probably have got it lifted, you might need a survey by an arborist/surveyor but if the council refuse to lift it they can be held liable for any damage to property, they always back down then. In saying that if an oak is 30m or more form the house it is considered a safe distance.

meer53

If i was looking at buying a house with 2 huge conifers with wood pigeons living in them, it wouldn't put me off. BUT, i'd definately have to take them down if i did buy the house. I don't like pigeons and the mess they create, if the trees are chopped down, they will soon find somewhere else to build their nests.

Trying to protect the trees or putting a covenant on the deeds would definately affect your chances of selling i would imagine if you succeeded.

EllaBeagle

Thanks everyone. I can see that its probably just my biased opinion of animals (I'm probably one of these mad cat ladies!) and that not everyone feels the same, hence why prospective buyers may be put off. I think I'll just leave off, I'll still keep the trees but maybe when I do sell just mention to the buyers about the pigeons and hopefully they will see them in the same way I do. If not then theres nothing I can do I suppose.

I know pigeons are pests but they are living things the same as everything else. Its just that every year I have watched their young grow and even hand reared some myself that have fallen from the nest when the mother hasn't been near for a while. I feel quite attached to them.

Leif

adouglasmhor wrote: »

I could probably have got it lifted, you might need a survey by an arborist/surveyor but if the council refuse to lift it they can be held liable for any damage to property, they always back down then. In saying that if an oak is 30m or more form the house it is considered a safe distance.

Interesting. Yes, I suppose if you can argue that it would cause subsidence, or whatever, then threaten the council with legal action if damage occurs, they might back off. I must admit I did not pursue it, and in the end I bought a nicer house in a nicer area. I can't really imagine a tree that size 7m from a house being safe/sensible.