Locking Bar Eglu Classic

[fluffyfeet]

I was just wondering if anyone on here knew anything about getting a tree protected.

 

Our next door neighbours asked if they could 'prune' the hawthorn tree that overhangs their garden a bit as it was starving the apple tree of light. They also offered to come and trim our side too as they had got ladders etc. I said that would be fine, and nothing happened for a couple of weeks.

 

Whilst I was away at the weekend the tree was 'pruned' or rather 'butchered' - some of the boughs they have taken off are 6" across, which I would say is a bit more than a 'thinning out to let more light in'.

 

Thankfully they have only done their side, as when they asked if they could come round and do ours, my OH said they had better wait till I was back - he knows how much I love this tree, and realised I would not be happy if they did the same to our side.

 

The neighbours that are the other side of the tree wreckers are, funnily enough, obsessed with chopping trees down and butchered a eucalyptus tree in the adjoining garden, which now seems to be dying!! They have become very 'pally' with our neighbours and always mention our tree in conversation with ut whenever they can - even saying stuff like hammering a copper nail in during the night which would apparently kill it!!

 

So I was thinking I would try going down the route of protecting the tree - although the way I'm feeling right this second, the neighbours are probably more in need of protection than the tree

 

Sorry for ranting.

 

Dawn x

[Egluntyne]

Speak to the planning dept at your local council. They will advise.

 

TPOs can be a bit of a double edged sword. We have umpteen trees with them where I work, and you are very limited with what you can do once one is in place.

[C&T]

Equally, TPO can also be easily revoked given a set of requirements. My MIL lived in a road where all the trees were given protection orders as a condition of granting planning permission (knocking 1 house down, building 6 in it's place - usual thing).

 

I don't think the houses were even lived in before the TPO was reversed, and all the trees came down. Reason - the house was built in the wrong place by the builders (about 30 cm out) so the trees blocked their light...

[Charlottechicken]

Is ***this*** any good?

[sjp]

here you go http://www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/environment/land_premises/conservation/tree/tpo.htm

[Jools]

There are set criteria for protection of trees based on the tree itself, the threat to the tree and the level of public visual amenity it provides. You could try your Local Authority's Tree Officer, but if your Hawthorn has already been "butchered", then it's probably too late.

 

You could get a reputable company in to remedy the poor work your neighbours have carried out to improve its longer term prospects. The Arboricultural Association have a list of approved contractors.

 

You could also pre-empt any future attempts at their "pruning" by making sure that you cut back any overhanging branches. I'd also be inclined to make some very obvious inspections of the tree yourself for any interference so they know you're aware of their motives. If there is any sign of decline in the tree (eg browning / early death of leaves), don't delay in getting expert advice. Application of week-killer isn't unknown and while they may think it's invisible, it is possible to test for its presence.

 

I hope it doesn't get that far, nasty neighbours can be a nightmare.

[donald]

HI

Contact your local council or look on the internet their policies will be on.

If you live in a conservation area TPOs are already more or less in place! And its important that advice is taken from the Tree department etc at your local council. I live in a conservation area and its a complete nightmare getting permission from the council to get any work done on the trees. Form filling(and guidelines which are very wishy washy ie you are damned if you do and damned if you dont)! Personally I wouldnt get a TPO unless its some outstandingly beautiful specimen and prominent feature of a landscape or area. I have just spent £350 per tree getting professional tree surgeons in who are excellent by the way but pricey!

 

Neighbours are entitled to cut overhanging branches and if the tree is taking light that is also a reason to trim it up!

 

At least they asked you and as someone suggested it may be worth getting the tree a health check etc. The other thing is we are now in bird nesting season and its illegal to intentionally disturb a nest or nesting birds etc (check RSPB web site for info) You can report your neighbours if they continue and you can prove they have disturbed breeding birds etc your local police service should be able to give you phone numbers for your local officer(non 999 number for non urgent but needing a fast response etc)..Just another angle to come at! You may have a rural office but if you ring RPSB they are very helpful.

 

I hope your Hawthorn tree grows back as they are nice trees and have lots of food for the wildlife etc

 

Good luck Donald

[Patricia W]

I know our Tree Preservation officer well as we live in an area with many beautiful trees including a lovely old willow next to our house which has been protected. The fact that he also keeps chickens and hatched some of my Phillip's offspring also helps!

 

He has told me that he only uses the orders where a tree is very rare or offers a unique contribution to the local area. He doesn't usually preserve them in people's gardens as they are of limited public benefit.

 

I'd contact your tree man for a chat, but the idea of having yours professionally pruned sounds a good one.

[Jools]

You're right Patricia, there are very specific reasons for imposing a TPO and devious neighbours don't count (unless the tree is highly visible from public areas and an excellent, healthy example of its species).

 

I hope you get it sorted Fluffyfeet, mature Hawthorns can be stunning trees and are one of my (many) favourites.

[Shirl]

We have TPOs on 8 trees in our garden one of which is an apple tree. On searching (we have a lot of trees) the apple tree isn't even there. I can only assume it died years ago. I'm not sure why Councils have such differing opinions on TPOs.

[Valkyrie]

The council came round a few years back to check the the TPO's were up to date because it was out of date. We did have a sycamore in the front with a TPO but it isn't a native tree and it was rooting into the sewage system so we were allowed to have it removed by a reputable company (which just happens to be one of the guys we know). We had to replace it with another tree and we chose a native one (whitebeam) and we could put it anywhere we liked in the front garden. It's much nicer than the sycamore anyway.

But we have an old oak in the back with a TPO and we have to get permission to prune (it's due again as it's taking over the garden and the acorns are quite painful when they land on your head) - there are also lots of ancient hawthorn trees but no orders on them - possibly because they are really hedging that got out of hand many moons ago. They sprout easily and very quickly, so your neighbour will probably find lots more shoots and branches forming on their side. Mwahahaharrrrr.