We often get asked to prune or remove trees.
In most cases, trees do not need any work. But we will take action if there is a safety risk or a serious problem.
Every request is looked at carefully on a case-by-case basis.
When we will take action
We may take action if a tree is:
- Unsafe and could cause injury
- Blocking a road or footpath
- Touching buildings
- Blocking street lights, signs or CCTV
- Likely to cause serious damage to a property
- Linked to subsidence concerns
- Dead, diseased or dangerous
Trees in your garden
If a tree is in your private garden, it is usually your responsibility to look after it.
In some cases, we may be able to help if:
- There is a serious risk
- The tree cannot be managed safely
- There are vulnerability or financial hardship concerns
You may need to pay towards the cost depending on the situation.
Extra support in some cases
In exceptional situations, we may take into account:
- Vulnerability
- Safeguarding concerns
- Financial hardship
We will look at any supporting evidence and decide what is fair and reasonable.
What do we mean by ‘not manageable’?
A tree is only classed as not manageable if:
- It cannot be safely maintained from the ground
- It needs specialist equipment or work
Routine tree work
We regularly inspect trees and plan work based on risk and available budget.
Lower risk issues may take longer to be dealt with.
When we cannot help
We will not usually take action for:
- Shade
- Falling leaves or pollen
- Bird droppings
- Blocked views
- TV, mobile or WiFi signal issues
We may also not be able to act if the tree is protected by law, for example:
- A Tree Preservation Order
- A Conservation Area
- Protected wildlife such as birds or bats
Still unsure?
If you have a concern about a tree, please get in touch with us and we will be happy to look into it.