Find out aboutconservation orders on trees, how close to houses the trees should be?
Question:i have a canadian beech tree in my garden that apparently has a conservation order on it, although the local government web site does not state this. I want to know how close it should be to the house,if i can cut branches off, if it can be removed if too close or near to the end of its life??thanks
Answers:
Hi,
I found out that the tree in my garden had a conservation order on it by letter from my local council.
If you call your local council regarding this they will put you onto the correct department. They should then be able to tell you if it does have a conservation order on it and who put the order on it.
If for example you then want to do anything to the tree you need to inform the council and they will issue you with a form. On the form you need to write what you are intending to do to the tree. You also need to inform them of the tree surgeon you are going to employ to carry out this work and what the surgeons work is going to involve. The council then have to pass the work as okay before the tree surgeon can do anything to the tree. You still have to pay for the work on the tree.
I phoned my lawyer about this and he unfortunately confirmed that this is correct, and if for example someone has an injury involving a fallen branch or the roots burst a pipe you could be liable to pay out. Hope you get on okay and good luck.
If you are just trimming it and not actually cutting it down, does anyone need to know. I have seen council workers making a right mess off hacking trees in the last few years.
If in the UK, call into your Town's local Council Houses and ask to speak to someone about trees with Preservation or Conservation Orders.
He or she will be able to check out the records to see if your tree is actually listed and advise you on what you can do about pruning. He will probably visit to inspect.
If the tree does carry an Order, you cannot even prune some of the branches or roots without permission. Don't be tempted - do it legally unless you can afford to throw away a couple of thousand pounds. Mature trees are classed as Public Amenities.
The penalties are pretty severe if you damage the tree - we have to live with a Scots Pine right in the middle of our drive and to park, we "wriggle" cars round it; it's very close to the end of the built-in garage and not a lot of room to swing round. Appreciate your problems.
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