Can You Sell Wood From a Fallen Tree in your own Garden?

roxy48

twopenny said:

Have you got the name of the tree officers?

Or official department and address?

A piece of paper with the information and photos, why you need it delt with or permission to go ahead with mending the fence lands if physically on their desk for viewing where the voicemail and such can be ignored.

If they still don't get back, at least to say they will deal at earliest opportunity, it at least gives you some proof of informing them so it's not all left indefinitely.

I can't see a hole in the fence from your photo. Is this leaving you vulnerable to intruders?

Photo hole attached- 2 panels down. Thanks,they don't give contact addresses but I could try more.

Thanks for your interest.

roxy48

twopenny said:

Have you got the name of the tree officers?

Or official department and address?

A piece of paper with the information and photos, why you need it delt with or permission to go ahead with mending the fence lands if physically on their desk for viewing where the voicemail and such can be ignored.

If they still don't get back, at least to say they will deal at earliest opportunity, it at least gives you some proof of informing them so it's not all left indefinitely.

I can't see a hole in the fence from your photo. Is this leaving you vulnerable to intruders?

Thanks yes, gap as you can see, very open for Dog & intruders.  I have attempted a direct email to tree officers at EHDC district council and taken your advice and put something in post.  It remains to be seen how quickly anyone will get back to me bu I have taken your advice and included several pics!!

All advice from everyone much appreciated.

twopenny

Well fingers crossed because that is concerning leading off from a public area.

You're next decision is if you want to wait for their insurance to inspect and cough up which will take time - or if they remove tree and you get on with it and replace the fence.

That's not going to be cheap to replace like for like.

Also consider that it's a continuous fence and it may need more replacing. You could ask a fencing bloke to come and give you an idea of how much it will cost to replac and how much of it needs replacing while you are waiting on the council.

I guess a comprimise would be to cobble together something with cheap panels tied up there to give some security until it's sorted. You can get super cheap ones

roxy48

twopenny said:

Well fingers crossed because that is concerning leading off from a public area.

You're next decision is if you want to wait for their insurance to inspect and cough up which will take time - or if they remove tree and you get on with it and replace the fence.

That's not going to be cheap to replace like for like.

Also consider that it's a continuous fence and it may need more replacing. You could ask a fencing bloke to come and give you an idea of how much it will cost to replac and how much of it needs replacing while you are waiting on the council.

I guess a comprimise would be to cobble together something with cheap panels tied up there to give some security until it's sorted. You can get super cheap ones

My insurance policy is quite clear that it doesn't cover fences nor anything left in the open and will not help with removal of debris unless there is a damage claim.  Ahh were you talking about the Council's insurance? - well I guess the engineers/ tree ppl will anyway need to inspect first?   We were fortunate that the tree fell straight but unless the Council contribute we are going to be 1k+ lighter for Christmas.    I somehow doubt they will remove the tree, or contribute to fencing (my local Tree services Company doesn't think so).

I have emailed and posted lots of pictures to the Tree dept, either way It would be good to get a decision/ communication soonest.

HampshireH

Definitely a claim into the council for damage to your property (fence in this case) but put your request in writing they will likely have an insurance manager at the council who handles claims on daily basis

roxy48

HampshireH said:

Definitely a claim into the council for damage to your property (fence in this case) but put your request in writing they will likely have an insurance manager at the council who handles claims on daily basis

Yes, thanks, will look into this.

twopenny

They should be liable for removal and the damage to your fence.

That tree looks rotten at the bottom (get a good photo of it if it is) so they haven't done the required inspection of it.

Each council has the responsibility but it varies between them. Worth a search 'Tree inspection policy' for your local council.

We've had quite a number of roadside trees taken down which is a shame but also for our own safety.

Good point Hampshire made to get in touch with their insurance dept. That might be quicker.

You certainly can't mess with their property I think.

Farway

roxy48 said:

twopenny said:

Have you got the name of the tree officers?

Or official department and address?

A piece of paper with the information and photos, why you need it delt with or permission to go ahead with mending the fence lands if physically on their desk for viewing where the voicemail and such can be ignored.

If they still don't get back, at least to say they will deal at earliest opportunity, it at least gives you some proof of informing them so it's not all left indefinitely.

I can't see a hole in the fence from your photo. Is this leaving you vulnerable to intruders?

Thanks yes, gap as you can see, very open for Dog & intruders.  I have attempted a direct email to tree officers at EHDC district council and taken your advice and put something in post.  It remains to be seen how quickly anyone will get back to me bu I have taken your advice and included several pics!!

All advice from everyone much appreciated.

You mention EHDC, same as me, snap.

How near are you to Petersfield or other Council offices? 

I know a lot of them are working from home, but at least there may be someone on “Reception” who could point you to the right way.

Or, local councillor? The list is on the website if you do not know.

PS, post it on Fix My Street, they inform the council, but more importantly you will have a public record. Photos are welcome on there.

https://www.fixmystreet.com/

subjecttocontract

Contact your local Councillor. You will easily be able to obtain his/her phone number and email address. Explain its urgent as dogs can escape and you need to be dealt with as a priority. Ask them to chase up the tree department urgently.....then keep phoning them every day until it's done.

roxy48

Just thought I would update those that have offered advice throughout this last week.  

I had a response from the County council saying that the road  adjoining ours was not highways maintained so was not their responsibility.  They also suggested that they thought it unusual that there would be a TPO on a public tree which made me think that the tree was close enough to our border that perhaps they thoughts it ours and that our fence had been moved a bit to stay one side of the tree.  They did suggest I checked with the Tree specialist as they might want to inspect because of the TPO, but I emailed him and it came back that he wasn't around till Monday.

I'd had two cheaper quotes to remove the tree £450 to clear /£200 if I kept the logs to do on Sunday then this morning another guy came through quoting £350/ £250 who would do it this afternoon. I then met a neighbour who said he would take the logs. It was a lovely day & its raining on Sunday so I said yes to the today guy and paid £250 to have it done and I've taken lots of photos in case the TPO guy wants evidence.

So I'm not certain who owned the tree.  I don't think anyone was going to pay but me.  It was cheaper than expected and I have a nice stack of logs and a big stump that is still a problem prior to fixing the fence but I'm a lot less stressed now that that big tree is gone, so thank you everyone for your help this week. It definitely made it easier to decide what to do.