Looking after our trees

Our tree surveyors are qualified tree experts who will inspect the trees at least once every three years. The movement of a tree in the wind does not always signify that the tree is dangerous, so our inspection will assess its condition and safety.

We won't reduce the height of a tree as a matter of course, as this can stimulate the tree further and cause rapid regrowth which may then cause significant defects to the structure of the tree. This can make it difficult to manage later.

We will prune trees that are overhanging footpaths and roads. Trees are also pruned back from road signs, street lighting and public serving CCTV.

If you have concerns about a tree on WDH land, please report this to your local Estate Officer or OneCALL by email at [email protected]. A tree surveyor from our Landscape team will be asked to visit and assess the concerns. You will then be updated with our findings

Tree roots can cause damage to buildings in two ways:

• Direct damage – this is caused when the physical expansion of tree roots or the stem lifts paving stones or cracks walls. Due to the weight of the house no amount of physical expansion will affect it, but garden walls and small structures such as garages or outbuildings might be at risk.
  
  
• Indirect damage – this can be caused to larger structures such as houses when tree roots grow underneath the foundations, extract the water and cause clay soils to shrink and the structure to subside. If a building has been built on clay soil near an existing tree, and that tree is then removed, the soil may expand which can cause heave (the opposite to subsidence).

Modern building standards mean that the risk to newer buildings tends to be isolated. However, if you live in private accommodation and believe that WDH trees are the cause of the cracking to your property, please talk to your insurers in the first instance to determine the probable cause.

There is no requirement by law to prevent trees spreading over a boundary and we are not obliged to cut back the overhanging branches. We will only carry out work where a tree’s branches are touching the property or resting on the roof.

However, residents of private property do have the legal right under common law to cut back the branches to the boundary line. The branches cannot be cut further in anticipation of regrowth.

Where roots are deemed to have encroached, works will only be undertaken where damage to the property can be shown beyond reasonable doubt.

Whilst we all like natural light in our homes, householders have no legal right to light. Likewise, there is no right to a view and a view obstructed by the growth of trees cannot be legally regarded as a nuisance.

One of the most common issues residents have with trees is that they block light into homes and shade gardens. We will not fell or prune trees purely because they are reducing light levels into the homes or casting shade over gardens.

We do not typically prune or remove a WDH owned tree to improve natural light or to a property, including solar panels.

If a tree is interfering with your TV or satellite reception then your service provider may be able to suggest an alternative solution to the problem, for example relocating the aerial or dish. We aren't responsible for TV or satellite signals and therefore we won't prune or fell a tree for this reason.

All vegetation, including grass and trees, produces pollen as part of its life-cycle and this can affect allergy sufferers. Unfortunately, as this is a natural process we can't prune or fell a tree for this reason.

Leaves and seeds that trees lose are carried freely on the wind and are can't be controlled.

Clearing leaves from gutters, pathways and the weeding of seeds that have started to grow are considered to be normal routine seasonal maintenance for any householder. Pruning won't be routinely carried out to reduce the fall of leaves, seeds or fruit.

This problem is caused by aphid infestation and is known as honeydew which is a particular problem with tree species such as Lime and Sycamore.

This cannot be solved by pruning or spraying with insecticides so we will not fell or disfigure trees to deal with the issue. Honeydew is a mild sugar solution and should not affect paintwork on cars if they are washed regularly. 

We know this can be an inconvenience but it is not recognised legally as a nuisance. 

Pruning the tree is not the solution as the birds will simply roost on the remaining branches. Even when trees are pruned they are still inhabited by wildlife. Healthy and attractive trees are an asset to the environment and we won't fell a tree because of bird fouling. 

Instances of underground pipes being broken or damaged by the growth of tree roots are very rare. However, if a pipe is already damaged, root access and blockages are not uncommon.

We will not top, thin or fell a tree to prevent roots entering damaged pipes. Repairing the issue with the pipe is the only way to solve the problem and will also prevent future issues. Modern materials and joints will significantly reduce pipe damage and subsequent root encroachment.

Although trees may be considered an inconvenience to those living near to them, by law they must be shown to be a substantial interference to a resident's comfort and convenience to be considered a nuisance.

We won't undertake any topping, pruning or felling of healthy trees simply to prevent falling leaves, seeds or minor debris.