Reporting a Tree
Problem
Is there a tree, or some trees you feel need inspecting? You can do
this by using our
online form or contacting us by phone on
01502 561227. Before contacting us please read the following
which will help you understand what we can and cannot do.
What we will do to a tree
Waveney District Council will:
- Inspect a tree to assess its health and stability
- Raise a low crown over roads, paths or cycleways
- Reduce branches away from a building
- Reduce or remove snapped or broken branches
- Thin the crowns of trees to improve health and vigour.
- Remove a tree that is causing damage to property
- Remove tree stumps
- Plant trees where appropriate
What we won't do to a tree
Waveney District Council won’t…
- Fell healthy trees.
- Pollard or severely reduce the hight of healthy trees.
- Any other work that will compromise the health of a tree
- Prune trees solely to improve light levels at properties
- Prune trees to solely to improve TV/satellite reception
- Prune or fell trees solely to remove or reduce seasonal
occurrences such as leaf fall or honeydew drip
Priorities
The Arboriculture Team will
attempt to help residents with all enquiries relating to
trees. Every enquiry received will be investigated and action
will be taken on council-owned trees where appropriate.
However, work has to be prioritised on health and safety
grounds and available resources. There will be occasions when
work to prune or fell trees cannot be justified, and others
where a long delay may occur before non-priority work is
undertaken.
The Arboricultural Team.
The Council’s Parks Section has a dedicated team of
qualified tree professionals to carry out the management of Council
owned trees. The Arboricultural Manager will carry out tree
inspections and is responsible for directing the tree surgery
teams.
Selecting a tree contractor to carry out work on private
land
The
Arboricultural Association (Opens new window), gives private
tree owners sound advice on how to select an appropriate contractor
to work on their trees.
Trees are a vital part of the landscape and should be seen as an
asset rather than a liability. The district is fortunate in having
a large number of trees, but concerns can arise when trees grow
close to the highway or property. The Council strives to maintain
the tree population in a healthy, safe and sustainable
manner.
Many of the trees in the district are the responsibility of Waveney
District Council. The Council also exercises an influence over many
other trees on land it does not own.
Typically, Council-owned trees are in parks and playing fields,
open spaces, housing estates, car parks, allotments, cemeteries and
closed churchyards. Waveney District Council also undertakes the
management of the highways trees in the district on behalf of
Suffolk County Council.
Trees on private land may be within a Conservation Area, or have
Preservation Orders protecting them. Permission for the pruning a
or felling these trees must be formally sought from the Council’s
Planning Department (link to Design and Conservation pages). Please
email
pbc@waveney.gov.uk
or call 01502 523 075 for further details.
Trees - frequently asked questions
What will the Council do about…
1. A tree that shades my property:
As a resident you do not have a legal right to light that may be
blocked by trees. Likewise there is generally no right to a view
and a view obstructed by the growth of trees cannot legally be
regarded as a nuisance in law. However we do take this into
consideration when planting and maintaining trees.
2. Tree branches overhang my boundary:
There is no requirement in law to prevent tree branches or roots
spreading over a boundary. Where requests are made to prune trees
that overhang a boundary, each instance will be assessed on its
merits. As a general rule, the council will undertake work to
lessen severe encroachment, but where the overhang is relatively
minor or at considerable height, works may not be undertaken.
3. Trees affect my television reception:
There is no legal right to television reception. Generally, the
council will not undertake the topping, thinning or felling of
trees simply to improve television or satellite reception, where
the trees in question would not otherwise require any
surgery.
4. Birds and sticky drip (honeydew) cause a
nuisance:
Although trees may be considered an inconvenience to those living
adjacent to them, by law they must be shown to be a substantial
interference to a neighbour's comfort and convenience to be
considered a nuisance. As a general rule the council will not
undertake the topping, thinning or felling of trees simply to
prevent the accumulation of leaves, seeds or minor debris on
adjacent property, where the trees in question would not otherwise
require any surgery.
5. The tree has grown too tall and must be
cut:
There is no requirement in law to keep trees growing below a
certain height. A healthy tree will grow beyond its capabilities
and not become unstable just because of its height. Trees only
become unstable when they are unhealthy or decay fungi infects the
roots or trunk.
6. Tree roots are damaging my property:
Contact the Arboricultural Unit and an inspection appointment will
be made.
Contact us
For further information contact the Arboricultural Unit
Email:
trees@waveney.gov.uk
Telephone: 01502 523572
For general information on parks and open spaces contact the Parks
Team
Email:
parks@waveney.gov.uk
Telephone: 01502 523 470
For information on tree preservation orders and conservation areas
contact Planning
Email:
pbc@waveney.gov.uk
Telephone: 01502 523 075
Further information
High hedges
Protecting Hedgerows
Tree
preservation orders
Trees in conservation areas
The Arboricultural Association:
www.trees.org.uk
(Opens new window)
The council is not responsible for the content or views
of external sites and accepts no liability for material within
them.