Advice on requesting tree removal

steve1ae

Hi Everyone,

We border a local school who have six leylandii trees hanging over our garden (approx 20-30 ft tall). I'm considering writing to the school to request they fell the tress. I'm not sure how best to approach it.

I was wondering if anyone has been in a similar situation and managed to find an amicable solution?

Many thanks for your help

Lorian

I'd go talk to the school secretary personally.

wealdroam

steve1ae wrote: »

Hi Everyone,

My wife and I have recently moved to our new home. We border a local school who have six leylandii trees hanging over our garden (approx 20-30 ft tall). The problem is that they are very close to a greenhouse and do block out some sunlight. More importantly, we have children who love to play in the garden.

I'm considering writing to the school however, I'm really not sure on how I should approach it. I was wondering if anyone has been in a similar situation and managed to find an amicable solution?

Many thanks for your help

How high were the trees when you moved in?
Were they visible at that time?

Ant555

I have friends that were in a similar position - it seems that it was the school rather than the council that was responsible and thus it took a very long time (several years) as they had limited budget for non-emergency maintenance and even then it was only when a new fence was being put around the whole perminiter of the school so maybe it was hidden in someone elses budget.
The downside is that my friends then had no privacy in their back garden from the school playground so have had to plant something themselves.

steve1ae wrote: »

More importantly, we have children who love to play in the garden.
p

I wouldn't push this as one of your concerns as the treees are surely not preventing your children from playing in your garden -sunlight or shade.

hope this helps.

Aylesbury_Duck

I think the best, amicable outcome will be that you request permission to have their trees reduced in height and access to do so, at your expense. This is a good time of year to do it if you manage to get in touch because presumably it would be tricky during term time. Schools have no money and the school has no obligation to maintain the trees' height at a certain point, unless they are unsafe, which they won't be at that height. You are allowed to trim back width to your boundary but to take off height requires their consent.

Aylesbury_Duck

Ant555 wrote: »

I wouldn't push this as one of your concerns as the treees are surely not preventing your children from playing in your garden -sunlight or shade.

Indeed. Surely shade is better for children than playing in the full glare of the sun?

Biggles

I'm having difficulty seeing what the problem is.

If you want your greenhouse to be in the full glare of sunlight, you could re-site it. Though it would mean lots more window-opening and watering. And, as has been said, the trees don't prevent your children playing, just like they presumably don't prevent the schoolchildren playing.

getmore4less

The problem is that they are very close to a greenhouse and do block out some sunlight. More importantly, we have children who love to play in the garden

get rid of the green house if it is a safety hazard.

Davesnave

Aylesbury_Duck wrote: »

Indeed. Surely shade is better for children than playing in the full glare of the sun?

Many schools have had to spend out on providing shade outdoors since a better awareness of skin cancer risks has become widespread.

steve1ae

Thanks for the replies everyone. Much appreciated.

Sorry I should have explained better. i'm concerned about the trees falling on my children - not that they will suffer from a vitamin d deficiency I'm not a leylandii expert (or any tree expert) but presumably portions of the trees will fall eventually particularly with the severe winds that are a given on the west coast of Ireland

Mojisola

steve1ae wrote: »

My wife and I have recently moved to our new home.

steve1ae wrote: »

i'm concerned about the trees falling on my children

presumably portions of the trees will fall eventually particularly with the severe winds that are a given on the west coast of Ireland

If you are so concerned, why on earth did you buy this house?

At the very least, you could have talked to the school about the trees before agreeing to the sale.

If the school refuses to do anything - even if you offer to pay - are you going to move again or keep your children indoors all the time?