Closed
Tree maintenance to reduce height and overhanging branches
Reported via desktop in the Tree Requires Pruning category anonymously at 15:37, Fri 24 June 2022
Sent to Bromley Council less than a minute later. FixMyStreet ref: 3621077.
The trees at the rear of our property have never received any maintenance and have therefore become massive. Please could these be cut to a more reasonable height.
The tree nearest out back fence is also growing at an angle and so large branches now overhang our back fence at quite a height and we are worried of damage to us or our property if these were to fall.
Updates
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Thank you for your report, this is now being investigated. Information on our services and the timeframes we aim to respond in can be found: http://www.bromley.gov.uk/ fixservices
State changed to: In progress
Posted by Bromley Council at 15:37, Fri 24 June 2022
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Thank you for the enquiry, No action is to be taken regarding the reported tree, please note that as outlined in our Tree Management Strategy (https://www.bromley.gov.uk/ downloads/ file/ 3334/ tree_management_strategy_2016-2020) the Council will not prune trees in relation to the following:
• Branches overhanging properties - residents have the right to exorcise their right under Common Law to prune back branches to their property boundary;
• Where a tree is thought be overly large;
• Interference with satellite, TV or other media reception;
• Branches and/or limbs in physical contact with telephone wires - telephone wires are plastic coated and faults on the line are very rarely caused by contact with branches;
• Excessive leaf fall: this is a seasonal problem and residents are expected to clear any leaf litter falling on their properties themselves. Leaf fall on the highway will be addressed through our street cleansing regime.
• Fruit fall: this is a seasonal problem and residents are expected to clear any fruit falling on their properties themselves. Fruit fall on the highway will be addressed through our street cleansing regime.
• Problems associated with pollen.
• Excreta caused by insects or birds: honeydew (aphid excreta) and bird droppings are not sticky sap are not recognised in law as a ‘legal nuisance’
• Obstruction of view: there are no rights associated with maintaining trees in accordance with maintaining views in British law
• Lack of light: there is no ‘Right to light’ (or shade) in British law.
State changed to: No further action
Posted by Bromley Council at 11:39, Mon 27 June 2022
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We have investigated this report and have made contact with the report originator to outline further details. This report is now closed on FixMyStreet.
Posted by Bromley Council at 11:42, Mon 27 June 2022
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As the council will not carry out maintenance on these public trees, am I allowed to hire a tree surgeon to carry out the work on the trees at my cost?
Posted anonymously at 12:54, Mon 27 June 2022
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Thank you for the enquiry, yes you are allowed by law to cut back to your property line, please do not exceed your property line.
Posted by Bromley Council at 10:54, Fri 1 July 2022
This report is now closed to updates from the public. You can make a new report in the same location.