Overhanging tree from the highway verge

[Skyedriver]

Been looking at a plot on a new build development today but there is a sycamore just over the site boundary that is casting a shadow over the whole rear garden and will do for much of the day.
Virtually half the tree over hangs the garden and it's my understanding that you can remove anything over hanging as long as you hand it back to the owner (highway authority). Am I correct?
The tree will still cast a shadow though more dappled I think. There are two trees on the other side of the road that also cast a shadow but I cannot do anything with them....
Tony H

[Dr Mike Oxgreen]

You have to *offer* the cuttings back, not just dump them on their land. I can't imagine the local authority wanting them.

[Skyedriver]

Hello Mike
I'm sure someone with a wood burner would be happy to assist, it's more the legality of removing virtually half a council owned tree.
Thanks

[castroses]

Check there's no TPO in place first!

[Equus]

castroses said:

Check there's no TPO in place first!

Also, if it's a new build development:

a) The roads almost certainly won't be adopted yet, so the tree will probably remain in the control of the developer.

b) There may also be planning conditions that control the tree. For example, it may be shown on one of the listed 'approved' drawing references or a tree report as retained, and/or it's pretty typical to have a Planning Condition that says something along the lines of: 'landscaping has to be implemented in accordance with the approved landscaping scheme within the first planting season following completion of the development and maintained thereafter for a minimum period of 5 years...'.

[Cheib]

There must be more to it than "anything that's overhanging" surely ? There's a large mature tree overhanging our front wall which is on the public highway...it's sufficiently close that in theory I could take away 40% of the canopy but I doubt it would stay upright for very long.

[AC43]

Cheib said:

There must be more to it than "anything that's overhanging" surely ? There's a large mature tree overhanging our front wall which is on the public highway...it's sufficiently close that in theory I could take away 40% of the canopy but I doubt it would stay upright for very long.

I just had a couple of tree surgeons and an architect (who does a lot of groundwork) have a look at sycamore that's in a neighbour's garden but overhanging mine.

All three were unanimous in telling me I could lop off the overhanging 40% is I wanted to do so.

They also all suggested getting rid of it as it's a weed and grows vigorously.

Lucking the owner had concluded them same thing and it going to take it down.

I'd usually to oeverything I could to preserve and manage a large tree like that but I make exceptions for sycamores.

I'll put a large photinia or equivalent in it place which is much more suitable.

[Skyedriver]

I agree I wouldn't normally want a tree taken down and have grumbled about others doing that in the past so I guess to some extend it's "not in my back yard" BUT
The tree is an old sycamore in the adopted highway verge which the plot backs onto.
It is right on the fenceline about 40% or more over hangs what would be the rear garden putting it permanently into shade. Even the rear elevation of the house would be permanently in shade I think.

If I thought I could have it removed, i'd happily fund some replacements but am concerned about entering into a purchase in the present situation.

Thanks

[Cheib]

AC43 said:

Cheib said:

There must be more to it than "anything that's overhanging" surely ? There's a large mature tree overhanging our front wall which is on the public highway...it's sufficiently close that in theory I could take away 40% of the canopy but I doubt it would stay upright for very long.

I just had a couple of tree surgeons and an architect (who does a lot of groundwork) have a look at sycamore that's in a neighbour's garden but overhanging mine.

All three were unanimous in telling me I could lop off the overhanging 40% is I wanted to do so.

They also all suggested getting rid of it as it's a weed and grows vigorously.

Lucking the owner had concluded them same thing and it going to take it down.

I'd usually to oeverything I could to preserve and manage a large tree like that but I make exceptions for sycamores.

I'll put a large photinia or equivalent in it place which is much more suitable.

Interesting. I am not about to do anything to this tree thought. Agree on things like Sycamore's we've had a couple taken out to make room for more interesting trees that were crowding more interesting trees out.

[AC43]

Cheib said:

AC43 said:

Cheib said:

There must be more to it than "anything that's overhanging" surely ? There's a large mature tree overhanging our front wall which is on the public highway...it's sufficiently close that in theory I could take away 40% of the canopy but I doubt it would stay upright for very long.

I just had a couple of tree surgeons and an architect (who does a lot of groundwork) have a look at sycamore that's in a neighbour's garden but overhanging mine.

All three were unanimous in telling me I could lop off the overhanging 40% is I wanted to do so.

They also all suggested getting rid of it as it's a weed and grows vigorously.

Lucking the owner had concluded them same thing and it going to take it down.

I'd usually to oeverything I could to preserve and manage a large tree like that but I make exceptions for sycamores.

I'll put a large photinia or equivalent in it place which is much more suitable.

Interesting. I am not about to do anything to this tree thought. Agree on things like Sycamore's we've had a couple taken out to make room for more interesting trees that were crowding more interesting trees out.

Yes, they all hated it.

Assuming that the owner was just going to ignore it as he rents the place out I initially got a quote to both remove the overhang and greatly reduce the rest of the crown.

He was happy to do it but warned me it would need to be done every three years as sycamores grow so quickly. And then recomended taking it out completely.

Now I know it's going I can put the budget to a 4-5m photinia instead