Photo: Luke Miller

Can I cut council trees overhanging my property?

If a council tree overhangs your property, you have the right to prune the section of branch(s) that overhangs your boundary. pruning takes place from your side of the property and must not extend beyond your boundary line.

croydon.gov.uk - Trees and hedges - work we don't carry out - Croydon Council

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Below are some common tree complaints not dealt with by us.

The trees/branches are blocking my light

There is no legal right to light, we will only considered pruning where the shade is extreme.

The branches are overhanging my property

If a council tree overhangs your property, you have the right to prune the section of branch(s) that overhangs your boundary.

Only do this if:

it does not result in the destabilisation of the tree

a competent person with knowledge of tree pruning is carrying out the work pruning takes place from your side of the property and must not extend beyond your boundary line. pruning takes place from your side of the property and extend beyond your boundary line. you dispose of the prunings The tree near my property is dropping debris (falling leaves, fruit, twigs) on the footpath Tree debris is not a ‘legal nuisance’- it is a natural process. We increased the frequency of road and path sweeping when trees begin to lose their leaves.

Birds in the tree are fouling on my property

We do not prune trees to remove nesting or roosting birds to reduce bird droppings. Nesting birds are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Warm soapy water with a stiff brush or jet wash will usually be enough to remove the droppings.

Smells, pollen and allergies

Vegetation produces pollen as part of a natural process. Pollen is not considered a ‘legal nuisance’.

The trees are touching telephone wires

This is the responsibility of your service provider. Please contact them to report a fault with your telephone connection.

Sticky residue/honeydew is dropping on my car

Honeydew is a sticky liquid and a seasonal nuisance, and can wash off using warm soapy water. I think the tree is interfering with my TV aerial / satellite dish signal Loss of TV or radio signal/service in respect of trees is not at present a legal nuisance. The TV licence is a permit to operate a TV receiver; but does not guarantee any reception. Contact an approved installer if you suspect trees are interfering with signal reception. The installer will identify the actual problem and often remedy the situation.

I want to install solar tiles/panels but the trees will cause shading

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We don’t prune trees to increase the efficiency of solar capturing panels/tiles. Before installation, the installer should carry out an investigation to determine any possible issues. Consider the effects of existing trees and their future growth.

The tree looks as if it’s caused damage to the drains

Trees are not pruned or removed because they're presumed to have damaged a drain. If you want to make an insurance claim, you can find information on our insurance claims against the council page. You will need to provide an engineer’s report that details how the tree is the primary cause of damage.

I think a tree is dangerous due to its size

Trees are not pruned or felled because they're considered too big or too small. The height of trees does not make them any more dangerous than those which are smaller.

is completely or almost dead

has recently lifted out of the ground

has mushrooms or fungi growing from its roots, base or stem

has a significant crack and holes on the main stem/branches

If you’re concerned about a trees touching voltage cables, inform your electricity utility provider.

The trees is obstructing the alleyways to your property

You have a right to prune branches that encroach and obstruct your access. You must bear in mind the following;

not to unbalance the shape of the tree

avoid unnecessary wounding/splitting of branches

dispose of all pruned twigs/branches

the final pruning cuts do not extend beyond your private access/boundary

I’m a council housing tenant and the tree in my garden needs maintenance Tenants are responsible for the maintenance of their gardens including, saplings, hedges and trees. This is part of you tenancy agreement. Help may be available for trees that are considered dangerous (see “I think the tree is dangerous” above). Please contact your Tenancy Officer with your concerns.

The trees in our school needs maintenance

Please speak to the headteacher who will arrange for the work to take place.

croydon.gov.uk - Trees and hedges - work we don't carry out - Croydon Council

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