Trees - Our duties as a council

We will only take action on the following issues if directed to do so by a court order.

Trees blocking natural light

We do not intervene to improve natural light to private properties, unless legally required to by a court.

There is no legal 'right to light' where naturally growing trees block sunlight into a property.

Tree owners are not legally obligated to prune or alter their trees to improve light for a neighboring property, unless a court has ruled in favor of the affected party and established a legal right to light.

Note: If an evergreen hedge is significantly obstructing light, action may be possible under the High Hedges Act (Part 8 of the Antisocial Behaviour Act 2003). For more details, contact our Planning Department.

Tree roots and drains

We do not act to stop tree roots from entering private drains which are already damaged.

Tree roots typically infiltrate drains that are already cracked or broken. This usually indicates the need to repair the pipe.

It is uncommon for tree roots to cause the initial damage.

Private Drainage Responsibility

Homeowners are usually responsible for the upkeep of drains within their property. If you're concerned, contact your water and sewage service provider.

Sap from trees

We do not act to prevent or reduce sticky substances like honeydew from falling on private property.

Honeydew is a byproduct of aphids (greenfly) feeding on tree sap and excreting waste:

• The pest, not the tree, causes the issue
• Pruning may temporarily reduce the problem, but new growth often attracts more aphids, potentially worsening the issue
• Some trees, such as lime trees, are more susceptible to aphid infestation, especially after mild winters

Note: Honeydew is a natural, seasonal occurrence. When planting new trees, we may aim to choose species less likely to be affected.

To clean honeydew from vehicles, wash with warm, soapy water as soon as possible.

Tree blossom fall

We do not remove or reduce blossom from trees, nor do we clear fallen blossom from private property:

• Blossom is a natural sign of spring
• It cannot be prevented by pruning
• It is not considered a statutory nuisance under current law

Bird droppings from trees

While bird droppings can be inconvenient, they are considered a seasonal nuisance and are not grounds for pruning or removing a tree:

• Many birds are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and other relevant wildlife laws.
• Cleaning bird droppings with warm, soapy water is usually sufficient.

Trees Blocking TV, Satellite, or Communication Signals

We do not prune or remove trees to improve satellite or TV reception or to ease the installation of related equipment:

• Your service provider may be able to help by repositioning the dish or aerial.

Note: We do not reimburse costs associated with relocating this equipment.

Trees obstructing solar panels

We do not intervene to improve the effectiveness of solar panels or solar water heating systems:

• While renewable energy is important, trees play a vital role in enhancing the local environment and supporting climate change efforts
• The placement of solar panels should take the presence of trees into account during installation planning

Leaf litter and seed cast

We do not visit claims of trees causing a nuisance by leaf litter, this is a natural part of the seasonal growth cycle of the tree.

Seedlings which grow as a result of fallen seeds from a tree are easily removed by hand in their infancy and are not a council matter.

Trees considered too large

A tree is not deemed dangerous simply because it appears too large for its surroundings.

Other specific concerns (as outlined earlier) must be present for us to consider it hazardous.

Routine tree work we avoid

In general, we do not carry out:

• Crown reduction
• Lopping
• Topping
• Pollarding

Such practices can harm the tree's health and long-term safety and are only undertaken in exceptional circumstances.

Last updated: 23/06/2025 16:03