Council owned verge...tree planting?

lostinrates

I wondered if any one here has planted a tree on the council owned verge in front of their home and what communication the council required and how open they were to it. We maintain the verge and have room to plant trees a metre back from road edge on them.

Suzy_M

Sorry but on safety grounds alone planting trees on road side verges is never a good idea. - problems with visibility, overhanging branches, etc. etc.

valk_scot

You could ask them to plant trees for you. But I doubt they'll let you plant your own trees, who would be responsible for their maintenence for example? Or public liability if a branch fell on someone? Or if you moved or died who would look after them? Anyway as has been said there may be reasons why there are no trees there such as access to services, line of sight on the road or concerns as to ground heave. So best to ask them to do it if it's going to be done at all. But don't be surprised if they say no.

blossomhill_2

Our council asked which houses would like trees outside on the verges here, most householders did, then the council surveyed to see which sites were safe - only 3 out of a possible 30, due to underground cables and services mainly

We were one of the lucky ones, although it took three replantings until one of the trees "took"

We then had to pay to have the tree moved when we wanted a dropped kerb!

But its lovely to have the cherry blossom in Spring, and the birds love the tree too

Good luck with yours, lir

lostinrates

I do think it very possible the area would be deemed unsuitable.

However the verge widens infront of our house and we have trees in the hedgerow (our responsibilty) which are closer to the road than i am pondering over for this tree. (hawthorn, yew and horse chestnut). I was thinking a small fastigate, liek a cherry, might be suitable.

Because of the nature of our property we already have some 'less common' clauses of responsibility in there, and repsonsibility for a tree I would be happy to pay for being written into that. I would also offer to onclude taking full not half responsibility for the ditch clearance etc. (as we have been doing that anyway.)

lostinrates

Suzy_M wrote: »

Sorry but on safety grounds alone planting trees on road side verges is never a good idea. - problems with visibility, overhanging branches, etc. etc.

I think its sometimes a very poor idea, but disagree its NEVER a good idea. It is enhancing for emotional well being on many new and existing housing developments, as has been seen from the very centre of our cities to areas like mine, where roads are tree lined withing hedgerows often enough and a branch is no more a libility from a small verge tree thana large hedgerow oak!

I would certainly agree tree choice is vital and that it MAY be inappropriate in our and other locations.

Fwiw, i lived in a rural location that was involved in filming for a film once, and it was used as part research for road saftey stats in village and rural loactions. They found decreased visability and obstructions often slowed traffic And forced drivers to negotiate with more attention, and decreased speeding and accidents so in some locations some of these things enhance road saftey!

Davesnave

I have a buddleia weyeriana and a couple of white rosa rugosa, which I keep trimmed so they don't interfere with sight lines. They're a metre or so back. It's more a 'marking my territory' thing, to discourage those who might allow their dogs to do similarly!

Either way, as I have to strim/cut it, 'sans poo' is preferable.

I don't think the council are bothered, but we're rather a long way off their beaten track. Even their resident mole doesn't seem to have noticed or minded.

As for planting trees on roadside verges generally, aren't those called "hedges?"

lostinrates

We don't have the dog poop problem, there are few dog walkers on my road. We just have a deep verge thats a pita to cut and boring to look out over and was thinking it might be a nice spot for a small tree. I think, having walked sight lines since started wondering this earlier its not going to be a goer though.:(.


We have to do something with our verges though as they take in ordinate amounts of time to maintain. It might be we get a digger in and scrape them out a bit so that they are lower and possible to mow with the sit on mower rather than strim messily. Ideally i would strip the ratty tatty grass off them and replace with something that needed less maintaining.

Tygermoth

We have a very long wide verge as it moves down to a large motorway bridge.

Our council dug all the grass and roots up and then grew a wildflower meadow.

Its very pretty and they only mow it twice a year.

People come from the local area to pick the flowers and the bees and butterflies have gone bonkers for it

guesswho2000

I'm assuming its a highway verge? If so, you technically need a licence from the Highways department to cultivate in the verge, in practice they may leave you to it unless its causing some sort of nuisance or safety issue, or someone complains.

Be aware that, licence or not, they can come and remove anything planted (I am an Engineer for a local authority, and had to do similar with a planted verge when widening a footway).

A tree may be an issue, as the roots have potential to cause significant damage to structures above (the pavement surfaces).

lostinrates

guesswho2000 wrote: »

I'm assuming its a highway verge? If so, you technically need a licence from the Highways department to cultivate in the verge, in practice they may leave you to it unless its causing some sort of nuisance or safety issue, or someone complains.

Be aware that, licence or not, they can come and remove anything planted (I am an Engineer for a local authority, and had to do similar with a planted verge when widening a footway).

A tree may be an issue, as the roots have potential to cause significant damage to structures above (the pavement surfaces).

Yep, thats why i personally will approach council if we decide to do anything. No pavements out here. as i say, existing trees are closer to the road.

Thanks for the help