issue with very tall tress on council land

eddddy

Giraffe76 said:

He has contacted the council 3 times in the last 10 years and has recieved a letter each time saying that they wont do anything. 

What exactly did the council say in their letters? I doubt they just said "No".

For example, did they say...

• They had inspected the trees and they couldn't see a problem?... and/or
• They would only investigate if your father got an expert report to confirm his concerns?

You (or your father) needs to respond to whatever reasons they gave.

For example, if the council has a 'tree expert' who says the trees are ok, you need to find a similar 'tree expert' who says the trees aren't ok - and then 'argue' with the council about it.

Crag30

My elderly mothers garden is shaded by 12 sycamore trees, that have self seeded on council property, with there roots within a spread of 1.5metres, and the trees are higher than the house.
In the spring I have to pick out 10's of thousands of seedlings every year, taking the light away from the lawn is causing more moss problems, and the sap of them, and the aphids they attract is killing off her mature fruit trees and shrubs.
I had the councillor round to have a look as it was heartbreaking for mum, as her and my dad were keen gardeners. Although he seemed sympathetic, his tree department basically said "Shut up and just keep paying your council tax"

And just to rub salt in the wounds, they went and planted 3 sycamore trees on the green in the street. I'm all for having trees there, but why such an invasive species?

Apparently copper nails don't work either

Section62

Crag30 said:

.....

Apparently copper nails don't work either

And if you get caught doing it could result in a criminal conviction and a compensation order - and the LA can base the 'cost' on the amenity value of the tree rather than the cost of replacement, so the bill can be very large.

E.g. from today's news, the 'Sycamore Gap' tree has been valued at £620k

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-69011665

I think it would be more heartbreaking to be forced to sell the house and lovely garden to pay the compensation bill.

DullGreyGuy

Section62 said:

Crag30 said:

.....

Apparently copper nails don't work either

And if you get caught doing it could result in a criminal conviction and a compensation order - and the LA can base the 'cost' on the amenity value of the tree rather than the cost of replacement, so the bill can be very large.

E.g. from today's news, the 'Sycamore Gap' tree has been valued at £620k

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-69011665

I think it would be more heartbreaking to be forced to sell the house and lovely garden to pay the compensation bill.

In fairness it would be very expensive to buy, transport and plant a 50' tree

Yorkie1

Bookworm105 said:

i would say in these environmentally friendly times you should be grateful to have mature trees to enjoy.
hypothetic fear about them blowing over is just clutching at straws. The council will take action if/when they become dangerous, not before, it's why they employ suitably qualified contractors to inspect them.

I wouldn't be quite so blase - a large horse chestnut which had evidence of a split in its trunk, was not dealt with before it came down from school grounds into my neighbour's garden and mind!!

Bookworm105

Yorkie1 said:

Bookworm105 said:

i would say in these environmentally friendly times you should be grateful to have mature trees to enjoy.
hypothetic fear about them blowing over is just clutching at straws. The council will take action if/when they become dangerous, not before, it's why they employ suitably qualified contractors to inspect them.

I wouldn't be quite so blase - a large horse chestnut which had evidence of a split in its trunk, was not dealt with before it came down from school grounds into my neighbour's garden and mind!!

perhaps that was too subtle for you
I did not say you cannot inform the council of the need to inspect a tree if "something" has changed about it.
If they then fail to inspect it after being notified, the liability is on them. 

Giraffe76

Thanks for all the comments. My dad has taken the step to employ someone to trim one of the trees and will leave it at that