​Cutting Down Trees


What is the law against cutting trees?

The law against cutting trees in the UK is actually quite complex. The protection of timber has been an issue for centuries, and many laws have been passed to protect forests from being taken away by humans. It can be difficult to tell what is illegal and what is not, but we will go through some of the most important questions and parts of the tree legislation acts

If you're thinking about cutting down a tree, we have the answers to your questions. Whether it's safety precautions or preservation laws that are getting in the way of making decisions on what course is best for your property and trees, our guide has information available from expert sources so no one will reach for their chainsaw before they get all necessary facts correct beforehand.


Do I need permission to cut down a tree or remove branches on my property in the UK?

If you own your home, one does not need permission to cut down a tree that is solely in your garden, unless it has been designated as needing preservation through the Tree Preservation Order or Conservation Area. If you are renting a house and cutting down trees on the rented property grounds, then you must first obtain permission from your landlord before undertaking any work of felling. One can always ask neighbours for help with branches which overhang onto neighbouring gardens/property but they are still owned by the owner of the land where the trunk resides so it’s the owners responsibility if anything goes wrong, such as an unexpected direction in which branch falls upon neighbour’s garage, shed or outbuilding for example.


Tree Felling Licence

Where a tree must be felled outside of a private garden, you may need to obtain permission from the relevant government department. If this applies and the trees amount to 5 cubic metres in total volume, it is usually an offence without their consent first. Licences for thinning woodland will most likely come with certain conditions on replanting or maintaining them afterwards for a set timescale. For just thinning woodlands, this will not have a restocking condition attached to the licence. They will make enquiries to see if permission needs to be granted from your local authority. Also please consider the impact this could cause to the surrounding wildlife. Felling and removing trees while the breeding season is in full swing could be stressful for the birds and indeed other wildlife, so make sure that you take this into account and proceed during the winter months.


Is there a legal height for Neighbours trees?

Are you looking for some advice on what to do about the height of your neighbour's trees? There are a few things that you can do. The first thing is to talk with them about it. They may not even realise that they have high tree branches and be more than happy to take care of the problem. If they don't know, then ask them how tall their trees were when they bought the house or moved in. You could also check your local by-laws for information on legal height limits for trees, as this varies depending on where you live and local council rules and regulations.


What can I do if my Neighbours trees are too high and they are ignoring my complaints?

If you are unable to reach an agreement with your neighbours, then contact local authorities as they may be able to help. There is also a possibility that cutting down or trimming the trees might not solve the problem and in this case it would be advisable to consult with a qualified arborist for advice on how best to deal with high tree branches on neighbouring property. You can contact our local tree surgeons at Nottingham Tree Surgery and Arborist Service anytime for a FREE consultation and expert friendly advice for a way forward.


What do you do with dead ash trees?

A lifeless oak or ash can make for an eyesore on any property, so most people would want them removed quickly at all costs-including safety concerns such as unstable limbs. This means having professional tree surgeons handle this job from start to finish. Cutting down branch by branch (known as sectional dismantling) until removing the whole tree without damaging anyone or nearby property when they fall over during the disposal process (due largely to the tree's overall weight and size) The average residential homeowner or business will not have the the right equipment to safely remove these large ash and oak trees. Also if the trees to be felled are dead, they will be brittle with loose bark and could collapse at any time, adding to the danger. This is why they should always be removed by specialist tree surgeons and Arborists.


Is it illegal to cut down trees when birds are nesting?

The bird nesting season is an important time for birds to find a safe place to raise young. Nesting occurs March 1st through July 31 and during this time the surrounding vegetation such as trees and hedges should be left untouched in order not disturb these fragile environments. Although it may seem impractical, there are exceptions that allow work on trees and hedges if done with care so as not to harm any nests or eggs residing nearby. Always keep safety at the top of your mind when running projects near wildlife habitats. To ensure the safety of nesting birds, before any work is carried out in this season a thorough visual survey needs to be completed. In most cases it will have been determined that there are no nesting birds present or if they are then as long as what you're doing doesn't disrupt their nest near your worksite everything should go smoothly and without incident. It's not just about protecting them but also ensuring we protect ourselves by following these guidelines so everyone can coexist peacefully with minimal disturbance for both parties involved.The courts have been clear that the responsibility lies with both contractor and client to be aware of laws protecting nesting birds. For example, if you disturb a bird's nest they may go ahead and delay work until all nests are empty, but this rule is not limited to just certain species of birds, all wild birds, as well as any eggs found in an unoccupied nest, will be protected from disturbance under these rules. This means it becomes your duty also, so make sure before beginning construction on your property that there isn't anything laid by terns or swallows.


Cutting back my neighbours Trees that are encroaching my property?

If you have a neighbour who's tree is overhanging onto your property, cutting back the branches can be as easy as talking to them. If they're happy with it then all that needs doing is trimming away any leaves and debris on their side of the fence or hedge.

The law actually states that any tree branches cut off belong to the person whose land the tree first grew, so good practice id to ask your neighbour if they want them back, or if they don't mind if you go ahead and dispose of them during the process.

When you're trimming your hedge, don't just throw the trimmings back over the boundary. This could constitute 'fly tipping'. Ask your neighbour whether they would like any trimmings back before throwing them away or leaving them by their garden gate for someone else to pick up later.

Also this applies to fruit on trees, even if the fruit on branches which is overhanging onto your property, still by law belongs to your neighbour. So You are indeed stealing if you pick the fruits for yourself without your good neighbours' permission. 



Call Nottingham Tree Surgery and Arborist Services
For a FREE consultation and Free Quotation

0115-824-3203 


​TREE STUMPS


How to get rid of tree stumps

Tree Services offer a wide range of tree stump removal services. We'll come to your property and take care of the stumps for you, saving you time and hassle.

The most important thing is that when removing a tree stump it's imperative not to start chopping away at the root system with an axe or chainsaw as this can cause severe damage such as putting cracks in the driveway or even sending bits of gravel up into the air like shrapnel!


We have all been there before; we see those nasty little tree roots that are preventing us from d on our lawn again so we get out our trusty old toolbox (or grab something on site) and go about hacking away at them without any thought. Well, if only there was  a way to remove a tree stump without all of the backbreaking work that goes into it.


There are many different ways to get rid of old trees, but one option is often overlooked and in my opinion very overlooked, its grinding them to dust with a big stump grinding machine!


Tree stumps need not be removed if they can't be seen from your house or property line and you don't intend on ever developing the land (unless they are causing a problem for construction). If this is the case then leave it in peace and only remove any roots sticking out past ground level which may cause damage to your hard landscaping features such as steps, patios, driveways etc.


Can a tree stump carry on growing?

can a tree stump still grow :

Yes. Tree stumps can still grow roots and new shoots in some instances, as they do not contain the same kind of nutrients that a live tree does; it's just their dormant form waiting to wake up again when conditions are favourable. How long will a tree stump live:  Typically, tree stumps last about one or two years before becoming brittle and dying off completely but you may find ones that have been there for five to ten years (or longer) without deteriorating much at all. The speed at which this happens depends on where the stump is located. If it has good exposure then it might die sooner than if it were shaded by other trees surrounding them. In most cases though, we recommend removing any visible stumps.


Fungus and disease

If you plan on removing a tree stump, it's best to do so before the fungus is visible. This will prevent mushrooms from growing and ensure that no spores are spread by wind or animals in your garden or land. It also means less chance of fungi-related allergies if any have been present in the past year. Once an established tree has fallen down, there isn't much point trying to remove its stumps – unless they're posing a hazard of course. Some tree stumps will eventually produce a sucker, which is an offshoot of the stump from above ground level. The roots of this new tree are different to the original root system and can lead to fungal diseases or insect problems for plants around them.  If you have a tree stump which is producing suckers, it is best to remove them with the help of an experienced professional like Nottingham Tree Surgery and Arborist Services.


Tree stumps and termite infestation

Keeping an eye out for termite activity can help reduce the likelihood of infestations developing after stump removal - but more importantly, don’t forget about checking around at ground level too! If these pests become active within the tree stump, your best course of action is to contact a professional tree surgeon. In the event that you find yourself with an unwanted tree in your yard or garden, it can be removed by either cutting down its roots from below ground level or pulling them out and digging up the root ball. If there are any stumps left behind after this process then again contact your local tree surgeon that will have a stump grinder that will make short work on the removal process.


What are some of the hazards when removing tree stumps?

Some people have been known to cut around the base of a tree and pull it up by dragging on opposite sides with chains. This is not advisable because you can damage the roots further and cause them to grow in an unnatural direction if they break off below ground level. The safest way to remove stumps is through grinding as there is no chance of damaging surrounding tree, plants or shrubs inadvertently. Also its good practice to check and take care not to hit any underground utilities such as gas lines, sewer pipes, electric cables or telephone wires.


Training to remove tree stumps

Professional Training To Remove Tree Stumps: Professional training might be more than you need but if you were planning on doing this job professionally or want your company to do it then an apprenticeship would provide everything they'll need from start-to-finish, including all of the necessary safety equipment (e.g., hardhats) that's needed while working with heavy machinery such as stump grinders. It takes less than two years to complete the coursework which includes both  classroom and hands-on training.


Other methods used to remove tree stumps?

A tree stump removal might not necessarily needed if the tree has fallen over or been cut down already because the weight of it will cause it to disintegrate on its own. Soil microbes in the soil will decompose any remaining pieces left behind by leaching them into the ground for nutrients (i.e., nitrogen). If you want to remove something other than what's naturally occurring.


Chemicals: using chemicals to remove tree stumps is a common and popular way of removing them. The stump will need time to dissolve into the ground, which can take months or years depending on the type of chemical you use. It's important that you wear protective gear when doing this because it could be hazardous if breathed in. You should always mix chemicals in a well-ventilated area and never pour the chemical on any foliage that's near it.


Burning: burning tree stumps is a popular way of removing them as well but there are some downsides to this method that should be considered before doing so. First, it could potentially damage the environment if you 're not careful. Second, it can be illegal depending on the location you live in and your state's law removing tree stumps by burning them could land you with a large fine if caught so always check local regulations before doing anything which might break them!


Pulling Out Tree Stump: this is an option for removing tree stumps that are easier to access and is probably the best option if you don't have your own chainsaw or stump grinder. You can use a truck or tractor to pull them out of the ground which will create more work but this method might be worth it in some cases.


Chains: using chains on one end should make pulling a tree stump out a lot easier. You'll need to find something heavy enough on the other end of your chain but if you can't, try using two chains with weights at each side.


Alternatively you can call us at Nottingham Tree Surgery and Arborist Services, and let us come over and remove your unwanted tree stump professionally, depending on the size of stump or how many you have to remove, our pricing is very competitive indeed, and we offer FREE Quotations to all our customers.



Call Nottingham Tree Surgery and Arborist Services
For a FREE consultation and Free Quotation
 

0115-824-3203


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