Dangerous trees

[D14]

We own a wood that runs up to a road. Some of the trees are hanging over the road considerably and there's a fast driving sweeping bend on one side. It's very clear that due to the speed of the vehicles if a tree came down then it would be disastrous if the car was above the speed limit which 9 out of 10 are.

We've been managing the wood for many years and any trees that come down are sorted, but as of yet nothing's fallen over the road.
However the trees are getting older and whilst not diseased some of them are growing sideways in line to the lie of the land as the wood comes down on a slight slope to the road. In order to make this safe we think we need to fell about 25% of the wood as some of the trees are very tall. We would obviously replant straight away but how do we stand felling around an acre of trees rule wise?

 

[Pasty]

You would need a felling license. If granted, that would require you to re-plant (as you intend to). Depending on species, you may struggle and instead be told to manage the trees.

 

[Midnight plough boy]

Get a roadside tree survey done by an independent company. Anyone trying to refuse you will be hard pushed if you can present a survey which will show your obligation to H&S

 

[milkloss]

Get a roadside tree survey done by an independent company. Anyone trying to refuse you will be hard pushed if you can present a survey which will show your obligation to H&S

Sounds like more box ticking bs to me, sorry.

Find a local woodman and get him to apply for the license and give him the wood for the job.

There's no way they could argue the license on h&s grounds.

 

[Midnight plough boy]

Sounds like more box ticking bs to me, sorry.

Find a local woodman and get him to apply for the license and give him the wood for the job.

There's no way they could argyle the license on h&s grounds.

Agree with you 100% but sadly the state that this country has got into, box ticking is needed sometimes to cover your arse if you end up in legal bother.

 

[Pasty]

I've known them to argue and refuse. Just told the owner to make sure the trees were safe........If that is the case then it may require an annual inspection, remedial work and making sure your insurance is up to the job.

Other options are to start removing trees within the allowed limits and not letting re-growth get above coppice so it can be managed.

 

[Henarar]

get a tree surgeon to have a look if they say that they should be felled for safety, no one can really argue
be care thinning them out as this can let the wind get at some of the ones that are left

 

[Lincs Lass]

Considering highways department and council have removed every bush and tree on a motoway junction here that they planted 20 years ago ,I dont think they could refuse you if its a safety issue

 

[Bald Rick]

Most councils employ a tree officer (usually in the biodiversity dept) who's duties include offering help & advice on trees that may be a danger to roads.
They would certainly be able to help with licences and help with organizing tree surgery if needed.

 

[Henarar]

Most councils employ a tree officer (usually in the biodiversity dept) who's duties include offering help & advice on trees that may be a danger to roads.
They would certainly be able to help with licences and help with organizing tree surgery if needed.

or just slap a TPO on everything

 

[Doing it for the kids]

I thought if they put a tpo on then they have to be responsible for safety?

Had this with house subsidence

 

[Pan mixer]

Most councils employ a tree officer (usually in the biodiversity dept) who's duties include offering help & advice on trees that may be a danger to roads.
They would certainly be able to help with licences and help with organizing tree surgery if needed.

This would be my choice, it is an offence to leave a tree which may fall on a road if it is diseased or otherwise deemed a danger.

The local Council will tell you definitively whether to fell or prune and this persons word supercedes others unless there are any birds nesting in the trees. The Council officer usually errs on the side of caution as it is hers or hers bottom on the line once they have passed judgement.

 

[Blod]

Looking around here there is a fair bit of ash to keep an eye on. It sheds branches when healthy and the diseased ones will be dropping limbs everywhere!

 

[slackjawedyokel]

I'd just bite the bullet and get in touch with your local forestry commission woodland officer; not sure where you are but you should be able to find them by following the links:
https://www.forestry.gov.uk/england-areas
I don't know what sort of trees you've got, or if there's any reason why you'd be denied a felling license; I suppose they'd be less likely to grant a license for 300yo oaks than pines at the end of their lives.
I have a similar problem; small larch wood next to a road. Had a word with the local FC officer and she pointed me in the direction of a felling license- she said it looked ready to come down so was really quite practical about things. Just waiting for my felling license now. I'd guess if the trees look kind of unsafe the woodland officer won't make a fuss.

 

[Cowcalf]

would have thought there would be no problem getting permission to fell if there is any sort of HSE issues as who is going to refuse in case an accident with tree falling did happen

 

[newbie]

I thought if they put a tpo on then they have to be responsible for safety?

Had this with house subsidence

Only for 2 years after they put the TPO on, and only in certain circumstances around here. I have had it too...
Council have slapped a TPO on a massive sycamore right next to our house as we applied to fell it. It's our responsibility to keep it safe but we can't touch it without permission! It's a farce. Arguments are still ongoing...

 

[Doing it for the kids]

Learn a new thing everyday!

 

[Bloders]

what is the consequence if you cut a tree down with a TPO on?

 

[Dr. Alkathene]

what is the consequence if you cut a tree down with a TPO on?

Last night or early this morning is the best time, especially with a bank holiday Monday keeping officialdom in bed and away from their clip boards.

 

[D14]

After reading the replies I am now even more concerned because if we apply and its rejected and then we get a tree down across the road it won't be good. I am wondering if we just do it. Start felling internally and leave a headland so nobody can see what we are doing until we do the last row by which point its done.