Nuisance trees

Due to the environmental value of trees and our responsibility to protect them, there are a number of tree enquiries that we will not action.

We will not prune or remove trees for the following reasons:

• Blocking daylight, sunlight, blocking views or are too tall
• Dropping leaves and/or leaves blocking gutters
• Dropping seeds, blossom, fruit, berries
• Sap or sticky substance (honeydew) dripping from trees
• Bird droppings
• Wildlife and insects in trees
• Trees interfering with TV reception, satellite television.
• Security cameras or sensors blocked by trees
• Solar collectors and panels obscured by trees

Although we do not prune trees specifically to address the following, we may include works as part of a larger job that has already been identified in our statutory obligations:

• Overhanging branches (where identified as a highway or safety concern)
• Branches obstructing power or telephone cables

We would ask the contractor to carry out the above as additional work, as it only marginally increases the time taken and cost of the original job.

Trees and the law

• Generally in law, there is currently no legal right to: Light, sunlight nor a view; height restriction on individual trees; TV or Satellite reception; prevention of leaf, flower, fruit or seed fall from trees; prevention of nesting or perches for birds, squirrels or other wildlife.
• It is the responsibility of property owners to plan accordingly for domestic considerations and manage property maintenance.
• Seasonal inconveniences from tree products and wildlife are not effectively managed by tree works, which can worsen issues in the long term.
• We will not permit works to council trees by third parties for the reasons above and will pursue any unlicensed works by legal proceedings.