Council wont let me chop down any garden trees...Help!

[BigMonk]

For a short while I have been working in my car, removing old trees, planting new ones, building a fence etc. Now at the moment there are a few old trees I want to remove and a couple of stumps that need shifting too.

Unfortunately I received a letter from the council as did everyone on my estate, 1st class recorded, stating we must not touch any of the tree’s in our garden as our estate is now classed as a nature reserve.

What the hell? I’ve lived here for 15 years, I own the house outright, and they are telling me I can’t finish off my garden? Now no mother fker tells me what I can and cant do in my own garden, so what will the consequences be if I continue to remove these old stumps and what not? I am not leaving them there to satisfy some bill oddie wanna be, they are an eye sore.

My neighbour, who I don’t get on with, will no doubt report me. So with the assumption that they find out, whats the worst that can happen?

[Lord Pikey]

copper nails? Tree dies, Tree has to be removed as it has become unsafe?

[BigMonk]

Up to £20,000 per tree, the bds.

http://www.wealden.gov.uk/council/media_releases/2...

[10 Pence Short]

I'm not one of these lefty types, but unless they're causing damage, I can't abide people chopping mature trees down. It might be irrational, but something that takes hundreds of years to get to that point shouldn't be chopped down on a whim, in my opinion.

[sday12]

Edited by sday12 on Saturday 9th January 10:36

[BigMonk]

10 Pence Short said:

I'm not one of these lefty types, but unless they're causing damage, I can't abide people chopping mature trees down. It might be irrational, but something that takes hundreds of years to get to that point shouldn't be chopped down on a whim, in my opinion.

We are talking about two 6ft high stumps, three 2ft stumps, a dead tree that is endanger of falling over, and a couple of ugly shrubs that are about 4-5ft high. The other trees are beautiful and will be staying. Keep in mine the space in question is about 1 acre, so only a tiny percentage.

[andy400]

Bribe a friendly tree-surgeon to give you a report that said trees are diseased?

[p4pedro]

drill some 25mm dia. holes at 45 degrees downwards about 150mm deep and keep filling with diesel,
They soon lose the will to live.
Perhaps we should do the same to terrorists

peter

[58warren]

This sounds like a blanket Tree Preservation Order (TPO) has been enforced. Whilst I don't always agree with blanket TPO's as they inevitably encompass poor specimens as well as good trees (ideally each tree should be individually assessed using BS5837: 2005 to determine its health and quality); it is effective in preventing the wholesale loss of trees of moderate to high visual amenity value.

The best thing is to contact your local authority tree officer and get him to visit to discuss what you intend to do. If the tree(s) you wish to prune or remove are not good specimens, the officer may be amenable to permitting the work.

You can also agree to replace a poor tree with a new young specimen to reinforce your argument. This may persuade the council to let you go ahead, although the new tree will be covered by the blanket TPO once planted.

I would be wary of deliberately poisoning a tree as has been mentioned as you will still need permission to remove it and the tree officer may conclude why the tree has met an early demise... Prosecution could then ensue.

Edited by 58warren on Saturday 9th January 10:40

Edited by 58warren on Saturday 9th January 10:41

[bazking69]

Lord Pikey said:

copper nails? Tree dies, Tree has to be removed as it has become unsafe?

With an enforced TPO, which they can do even on private property, it will then require removal by authorised and approved tree surgeons. The figures for doing each tree 'properly' and 'by the book' will thus be eyewatering I assure you.

[Doofus]

BigMonk said:

Now no mother fker tells me what I can and cant do in my own garden, so what will the consequences be

Well make up your mind. Either they can't tell you, or there will be consequences, which suggests they can...

[eldar]

10 Pence Short said:

I'm not one of these lefty types, but unless they're causing damage, I can't abide people chopping mature trees down. It might be irrational, but something that takes hundreds of years to get to that point shouldn't be chopped down on a whim, in my opinion.

True. However I've got a large tree in my garden that is slowly dying, and in the process shedding large branches, which land in my neighbours garden and smash the tiles on their garage. So far, no one has been hurt.

Had a tree surgeon in who says yes, the tree is slowly dying - and needs removing or lots of work. Application for this went into the council in August, who so far have come out had a look, agreed it is dying, but refuse to let the the work go ahead until they can work out exactly what needs to be done.

This apparently takes several months. In spite of the likelihood of more insurance claims or next door's kids getting a branch on their heads.

[plg101]

Looking for the positive - won't behind classed as a nature reserve stop any further development locally and protect house prices?

[10 Pence Short]

eldar said:

10 Pence Short said:

I'm not one of these lefty types, but unless they're causing damage, I can't abide people chopping mature trees down. It might be irrational, but something that takes hundreds of years to get to that point shouldn't be chopped down on a whim, in my opinion.

True. However I've got a large tree in my garden that is slowly dying, and in the process shedding large branches, which land in my neighbours garden and smash the tiles on their garage. So far, no one has been hurt.

Had a tree surgeon in who says yes, the tree is slowly dying - and needs removing or lots of work. Application for this went into the council in August, who so far have come out had a look, agreed it is dying, but refuse to let the the work go ahead until they can work out exactly what needs to be done.

This apparently takes several months. In spite of the likelihood of more insurance claims or next door's kids getting a branch on their heads.

I agree entirely. If they're dead or dying, better to take them out before they take something or someone else out.

[BigMonk]

eldar said:

10 Pence Short said:

I'm not one of these lefty types, but unless they're causing damage, I can't abide people chopping mature trees down. It might be irrational, but something that takes hundreds of years to get to that point shouldn't be chopped down on a whim, in my opinion.

True. However I've got a large tree in my garden that is slowly dying, and in the process shedding large branches, which land in my neighbours garden and smash the tiles on their garage. So far, no one has been hurt.

Had a tree surgeon in who says yes, the tree is slowly dying - and needs removing or lots of work. Application for this went into the council in August, who so far have come out had a look, agreed it is dying, but refuse to let the the work go ahead until they can work out exactly what needs to be done.

This apparently takes several months. In spite of the likelihood of more insurance claims or next door's kids getting a branch on their heads.

That reminds me, one of my neighbours trees is about 4 story's high and is hanging over my driveway. I want to get a tree surgeon to trim it back but I'm guessing I'll have to appeal for this too.

[Simpo Two]

BigMonk said:

For a short while I have been working in my car, removing old trees

You have trees in your car?

[hman]

p4pedro said:

drill some 25mm dia. holes at 45 degrees downwards about 150mm deep and keep filling with diesel,
They soon lose the will to live.
Perhaps we should do the same to terrorists

peter

Good luck getting a standard drill chuck to accept a 25mm drill bit!

And a hole saw will only cut a ring, and not finish the job as the centre bit will remain attached at the bottom.

So you'll be needing to drill lots of small holes to make up the 25mm

at 45 degrees to the grain.


Its going to look a bit suspect isnt it?

[Boosted LS1]

It always surprises me the number of people who seem to know the quick and dirty way to kill a tree. It would never occur to me to do this. I to think they shouldn't be cut down on a whim and should be replaced if they are removed assuming that's practical. I can understand the need to remove dying trees if they're going to be dangerous but I am saddened when I see a newt of a man with a chainsaw lopping something down thats a few hundred years old and healthy.

[mackg]

hman said:

p4pedro said:

drill some 25mm dia. holes at 45 degrees downwards about 150mm deep and keep filling with diesel,
They soon lose the will to live.
Perhaps we should do the same to terrorists

peter

Good luck getting a standard drill chuck to accept a 25mm drill bit!

And a hole saw will only cut a ring, and not finish the job as the centre bit will remain attached at the bottom.

So you'll be needing to drill lots of small holes to make up the 25mm

at 45 degrees to the grain.


Its going to look a bit suspect isnt it?

Havent you ever heard of a zip bit you can get 32mm bits no problem.

[mackg]

p4pedro said:

drill some 25mm dia. holes at 45 degrees downwards about 150mm deep and keep filling with diesel,
They soon lose the will to live.
Perhaps we should do the same to terrorists

peter

If the council thinks foul play is involved they will take soil samples to check for any poisons