Latest Trees and woodland FAQs from Warwick District Council.

If a tree does not have a Tree Preservation Order and is not in a conservation area can I lawfully do work to it or cut it down?

Thu, 31 Dec 2015 13:28:07 +0000

Question: If a tree does not have a Tree Preservation Order and is not in a conservation area can I lawfully do work to it or cut it down?

Answer: Yes, but some trees on new development sites enjoy safeguards for a five year period as part of planning conditions imposed when planning permission for the development was granted.

Can I carry out works or cut down trees that are dead, dying or dangerous without council consent?

Thu, 31 Dec 2015 13:27:20 +0000

Question: Can I carry out works or cut down trees that are dead, dying or dangerous without council consent?

Answer:

Council consent is not required if the tree is truly dead, dying or dangerous. However, determining this is not straightforward. It is advisable to give the council five days written notice before carrying out the work by emailing planning.enforcement@warwickdc.gov.uk.

Can I prune my tree in a conservation area?

Thu, 31 Dec 2015 13:26:23 +0000

Question: I have a tree with a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) on it / live in a conservation area. Can I prune my tree?

Answer:

To find out more about Tree Preservation Orders and conservation areas please visit our page on tree preservation.

Can you recommend a tree surgeon?

Thu, 31 Dec 2015 13:24:50 +0000

Question: Can you recommend a tree surgeon?

Answer:

We can’t recommend tree surgeons, but we do have some advice on choosing an arborist.

Can you prune the tree - it's interfering with my TV signal?

Thu, 31 Dec 2015 13:19:18 +0000

Question: Can you prune the tree - it's interfering with my TV signal?

Answer:

There is no right to good reception and in many cases it is possible to resolve issues of poor reception involving trees by finding an engineering solution. We will only consider requests to prune trees to improve reception where all the following conditions met:

Engineering solutions to the problem have not been successful
The work required will not unduly affect the amenity or health of the tree
The work required can be done within current financial constraints

Can you prune the tree - it's casting too much shade?

Thu, 31 Dec 2015 13:17:33 +0000

Question: Can you prune the tree - it's casting too much shade?

Answer: Because of limited resources we have to prioritise certain types of work. Safety always takes priority and because of this we are not able to prune trees just because of light loss at present. However, if the tree is less than 6m from a habitable window (or less than half the tree’s height if the tree is less than 12m high) we will consider pruning. There is no guarantee though - each case is taken on its merits.

Can you prune the tree - there's sticky stuff on my car/patio/drive?

Thu, 31 Dec 2015 13:16:03 +0000

Question: Can you prune the tree - there's sticky stuff on my car/patio/drive?

Answer:

In accordance with the council's pruning policies, we do not normally prune trees because of honey dew - the sticky stuff that seems to come from lime trees and some others. Honeydew is actually produced by an insect and is not something over which the council has any control. It is essentially sugar and water and is best removed by regular washing.

My house is shaded by my neighbour’s tree. What can I do?

Thu, 31 Dec 2015 13:14:21 +0000

Question: My house is shaded by my neighbour’s tree. What can I do?

Answer:

The first thing you should do is to talk to your neighbour. If you cannot reach an amicable agreement and the shade is cast by an evergreen hedge then the council may be able to help. Please see our page on high hedges for more information. If the problem does not come from an evergreen hedge then the council cannot get involved.

If the tree is a council managed tree, please see our pruning policies for details of the limited circumstances when we will prune for light loss.

Why can’t you prune the tree outside my house?

Thu, 31 Dec 2015 13:11:48 +0000

Question: Why can’t you prune the tree outside my house?

Answer:

If the tree is managed by the district council, requests for pruning are judged against our pruning policies. These are needed because the money available for tree pruning is limited and we wish to ensure that it is spent where there is the greatest need.

If the tree is on the highway then you need to contact Warwickshire County Council.

How tall is a tree allowed to grow?

Thu, 31 Dec 2015 13:09:08 +0000

Question: How tall is a tree allowed to grow?

Answer:

There is no limit on how tall a tree is allowed to grow. However, there is a limit for evergreen hedges. Please see our page on high hedges for more information.

How often does the council prune trees?

Thu, 31 Dec 2015 13:07:47 +0000

Question: How often does the council prune trees?

Answer:

Trees are pruned as and when it is necessary in order to keep them safe. The council has limited funds available for tree pruning and judges the need for pruning in accordance with the council’s pruning policies.