Housing association and trees

ratechaser

Having spoken to my neighbours about this, I think around £1k is about the going rate for "proper" maintenance of the large oaks we have in my neighbourhood (one of which is in my front garden). But that usually includes writing a report for the council to get permission, and lopping 25-30% off a tree that's about 60ft tall, with a 40-50ft canopy. So not small!

princeofpounds

Alan2020 said:

AdrianC said:

Why does the tree need "cutting"? Is it in a condition that is causing danger to others? Trimming back, or cutting down completely?

A grand is a LOT of tree work.

Depends on where you are, access issues etc Try cutting an unstable tree overhanging a busy main road in a city like London.  You will pay this amount to sort the safety issues before you even touch the tree.

This is very true. I've paid ~2500 and ~250 for what was essentially the same job (pruning two ash trees). The only difference was the location, the inaccessible site on a large steep bank, and the height of the trees necessitating special access equipment. 

MobileSaver

Alan2020 said:

AdrianC said:

A grand is a LOT of tree work.

Depends on where you are, access issues etc Try cutting an unstable tree overhanging a busy main road in a city like London.  You will pay this amount to sort the safety issues before you even touch the tree.

True, here in mid-Wales stop/go traffic lights are £500 a day if you need to do work by the side of a main road.

Allegedly some people have been known to do work by the roadside in the evenings and at weekends when the roads are quieter with just a guy giving a thumbs-up all-clear when it's safe to start chain-sawing... followed by a mad dash by all involved to remove all the debris from the highway before anyone complains. Obviously that doesn't happen here in my village but I heard down the pub that it does happen regularly elsewhere...

MobileSaver

princeofpounds said:

Alan2020 said:

Depends on where you are, access issues etc Try cutting an unstable tree overhanging a busy main road in a city like London.  You will pay this amount to sort the safety issues before you even touch the tree.

I've paid ~2500 and ~250 for what was essentially the same job (pruning two ash trees). The only difference was the location, the inaccessible site on a large steep bank, and the height of the trees necessitating special access equipment. 

Agreed. We have had very similar issues over the years due to the area we live in but are very lucky to have plenty of family and friends with access to tractors, winches, pulleys, low-loaders, telehandlers etc.

Pre-covid these would turn into social events with everyone turning up with their various machines and equipment and most importantly a positive can-do work-as-a-team attitude; sometimes (apart from fuel for the machines and transportation) all it would cost us would be a tray full of hot dogs and burgers at lunch and a few drinks once the job was done.

Ashworks

I would ask the HA for a copy of the assessment they have had done on the tree by a professional arboriculturalist in order to identify the work that needs doing and why.

baza52

My HA also said i was responsible for a dangerous tree. here's the convo i had with them lol.

15/07/2020, 16:29

You sent 15 July 2020

hi, i have a fairly large tree in the front garden that has rotted at the base of the trunk and is now leaning over quite badly to the point i am worried it will fall and take down the wall that separates my house from the garages with it. Can anything be done by L&Q

L&Q sent 15 July 2020

Hey Barry, Thanks for getting in touch. The maintenance of trees is the responsibility of the resident unfortunately. You will also need to check with the local council that the tree is not protected before you remove it. Thanks Sarah

You sent 15 July 2020

L&Q have attended to the tree before when i asked to remove it. They came out and pruned the tree right back. Should i just wait until it knocks the wall down then call you out to re build the wall?

L&Q sent 15 July 2020

Can you confirm if the tree is over 12 ft? Thanks Sarah

You sent 15 July 2020

yes it is

You sent 15 July 2020

probably 15ft high at a guess

You sent 15 July 2020

can send a picture if you want

You sent 15 July 2020

You sent 15 July 2020

You sent 15 July 2020

L&Q sent 15 July 2020

Thanks for the photos Barry, is this in a communal area or your own front garden? I will raise a job to get it looked at, just confirm its location and ill get this sorted for you you Thanks Sarah

You sent 15 July 2020

its my front garden

16/07/2020, 08:32

L&Q sent 16 July 2020

Hi Barry, Thank you for confirming. A new work order has been raised to contractors  They will contact you directly to arrange an appointment .

The tree was removed a few days later

Section62

MobileSaver said:

Allegedly some people have been known to do work by the roadside in the evenings and at weekends when the roads are quieter with just a guy giving a thumbs-up all-clear when it's safe to start chain-sawing... followed by a mad dash by all involved to remove all the debris from the highway before anyone complains. Obviously that doesn't happen here in my village but I heard down the pub that it does happen regularly elsewhere...

That might be Ok if the people elsewhere know the people doing the work and have confidence in what they are doing. Which is often what happens in elsewhere of course.

But treework is dangerous, and in other places and with a contractor who is an unknown quantity, I'd see a willingness to forget about any safety rules as a big no-no. Ropes, chainsaws and heavy falling objects creates plenty of scope for cowboys to muck up badly. Having a branch dropped on someone's house, car, or even on the someone, could ruin more than one person's day.