Frequently asked questions

In Short:

Check Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) when planning tree work. You can search online or let us assist you.

The Full Answer:

TPO and Conservation Area checks are essential as violating these orders can lead to significant fines. Determining if your property is in a conservation area or if TPOs apply is simple. You can often do this online with your local authority. If you prefer, we can conduct these searches on your behalf.

The Town and Country Planning Act 1990 also addresses trees in conservation areas not covered by a TPO. Each conservation area has a blanket order for trees with a central stem diameter of 7.5cm at 1.5 meters from the ground. This typically doesn’t apply to shrubs and hedges.

Getting Permission to Remove a Tree:

If you plan to cut down or work on a tree in a conservation area, you must notify the Local Planning Authority (LPA) six weeks in advance (a ‘section 211 notice’). This allows the LPA to assess whether a TPO should be issued. Conservation areas are of special architectural or historical interest, and their character or appearance is important to preserve or enhance. They are designated by LPAs and often surround listed buildings. Other buildings and landscape features, including trees, contribute to the area’s special character. Trees exempt from TPOs include those that are dead, dying, diseased, or dangerous, and fruit trees grown for commercial fruit production. A 5-day notice might still apply, so check with planning. TPOs prevent the cutting down, uprooting, pruning, crown lifting, reduction, and wilful damage or destruction of trees without consent

A professional tree surgeon will always adhere to this legislation. The conservation area application is a notification of works, not an application for permission. In crowded areas, trees can have significant amenity value for people who see them or could be affected by their removal or pruning/reduction. Councils believe everyone should have a chance to have the impact considered. The consultation process usually takes six weeks from the application’s receipt date.

These applications are free, and most professional tree surgery companies won’t charge customers for completing and managing them.

Relevant Forms:

Find the necessary forms at: http://www.planningportal.gov.uk. You can also submit an application through this site.

In short, tree surgery is a highly skilled and potentially dangerous job, with significant risks of damaging your trees.

The full answer: Tree surgery demands extensive training and access to costly specialist equipment. Poorly pruned trees can lead to major issues in the future, resulting in additional expenses. Without proper training, it’s easy to cause significant damage and injury.

By hiring an experienced tree surgery company like Stumpman Tree Surgery, you ensure your tree is handled efficiently and safely. We can also suggest and plant suitable replacements or agree on a suitable schedule of continued maintenance for a lifted crown or pruned tree. This gives you peace of mind and an aesthetically pleasing addition to your outdoor space.

In short, our tree surgery costs are unique. Unlike other local tree surgeons, we do not have a minimum charge or an hourly rate. Each tree and site is assessed individually, ensuring that the work is carried out by our qualified team to your satisfaction, at the cost quoted in advance.

The full answer: We tailor tree surgeon costs for each job, considering all relevant factors to provide the best service at the most cost-effective price. Our experienced team offers tree surgery across Surrey, Hampshire, and Berkshire, skilled in identifying needs and achieving results with minimal fuss, mess, and disturbance.

How to get a cost for tree surgery: We offer free on-site visits to prepare quotations and provide advice, with no obligation. We strive to accommodate your schedule, including weekend appointments.

Contact us now to request a free Stumpman Tree Surgery quote.

In Short…

Trees are valuable assets to homes, but they can sometimes cause issues with nearby structures. If you’re worried, contact us for expert advice.

The Full Answer…

Trees are essential assets to our homes and gardens, offering beauty and numerous benefits. However, they can occasionally lead to problems like subsidence and structural damage.

When a tree grows very close (usually within 1.5m) to a lightly loaded wall or structure, its stem base or large roots may exert pressure, causing collapse or lifting.

In areas with shrinkable clay soil, trees can exacerbate movement damage by drawing water, leading to soil dryness. Some trees require more moisture than others, especially when fully grown with a large crown. It’s crucial to consider these factors when planting new trees.

Trees near drains and sewers can cause direct damage if too close. At a distance, roots may enter pipes through gaps, leading to blockages. Clearing roots and inserting a flexible liner can often resolve this, mainly affecting old leaky drains; modern plastic drains are rarely impacted.

The proximity of trees is often considered in house insurance or valuation. This doesn’t mean a tree poses a threat, but trees are frequently blamed for building movement. If you have a tree near a building or its foundations, consulting a professional tree surgeon is advisable to manage risks and the tree’s growth.

The soil type is the highest risk factor for buildings with nearby trees. Clay soils are most prone to heave and subsidence, caused by water level changes and common in the London area. Clay can expand when a tree is removed, known as heave, or shrink and crack if a tree takes too much water, leading to subsidence. Professional tree surgeons can mitigate these effects by maintaining the crown and managing the root system, or performing phased tree removal to allow ground adjustment.

Trees aren’t always planted in suitable locations, and species may not be ideal for small town gardens. Mismanagement over time can render pruning ineffective, necessitating removal and replanting. We’re happy to discuss replanting options if removal is needed. It’s always possible to select and manage an appropriate tree or shrub species in any garden size or light level.

In limited spaces like housing estates, professional tree surgeons are vital for managing trees and ensuring they thrive without risking property damage. Without effective tree management, we wouldn’t enjoy the greenery and diversity of species we do.

Trees, shrubs, and hedges are crucial in transforming congested environments into pleasant, ecologically diverse places to live.

Concerned About a Tree in Surrey, Hampshire, or Berkshire?

Our locally based tree surgeons are ready to advise on necessary tree work and offer a free quotation.

In short, it is recommended to work on trees after leaf fall and before bud burst. However, this is not applicable to all species. We can provide a written report and recommendation tailored to your specific trees and hedges.

The full answer: Trees are generally worked on after leaf fall and before bud burst. This guideline, however, does not cover all species. We prefer to assess each tree individually and offer a written report and recommendation for the optimal timing of necessary work. For instance, Cherry, Plum, and related Prunus species should be pruned soon after flowering to prevent bacterial infection. Maple and Birch should avoid spring pruning to prevent sap exudation, which, while not harmful, can be unsightly. Magnolia and Walnut should only be pruned in high summer. Most common hedge species can be pruned year-round, but we will confirm this after inspection and always consider the environmental impact, such as nesting birds, before starting.

As a general rule, a tree’s root system extends as far underground as its canopy does over ground. Regular or severe pruning can distort this balance, but it is generally possible to manage a tree’s root system by regularly pruning or reducing the canopy above ground, as a tree does not need to expend energy developing its root system if it does not have to support a large canopy.

Regardless of the season, our tree surgeons are ready to assist! If you need tree surgery in Hampshire, a tree surgeon in Surrey, or work anywhere else in Berkshire, contact us today.

In short, regular maintenance is crucial for the health of mature trees. Preventing issues is more cost-effective than treating them once they arise, regardless of the tree’s age.

The full answer: A mature tree enhances its aesthetic value over time. Consistent maintenance ensures it remains healthy and vigorous. Addressing problems early is cheaper than resolving them later. Regular tree inspections can help prevent or mitigate future disease, insect, and environmental challenges.

Our qualified arboricultural consultants will thoroughly examine leaves, buds, leaf size, appearance, twig growth, and assess the condition of the trunk and crown. Issues like crown dieback and trunk decay, which are often signs of long-standing problems, can frequently be addressed with expert tree surgery.

Key Responsibilities:

– As a property owner, it’s crucial to ensure your trees are safe.

– Regular assessments by qualified arboricultural consultants are essential.

Why Assessments Matter:

– A written report from an arborist can recommend necessary work and care.

– Insurance companies may deny claims for tree-related damage if no recent survey is available.

– Always check your insurance policy for specific survey requirements.

Signs of a Dangerous Tree:

– Cavities or decayed wood in the trunk or major branches.

– Fungus at the base, such as honey fungus, indicating potential diseases.

Additional Causes for Concern:

– Cracks in the trunk can weaken the tree.

– Splits at the branch union may cause branches to drop unexpectedly.

– Nearby fallen or dead trees could suggest a common issue affecting your property.

– A strong lean in the trunk or visible broken roots.

– Recent construction in the vicinity.

– Tree branches interfering with power lines.

Conclusion:

– Regular tree assessments by professionals are vital for maintaining safety and insurance compliance.

Introduction:

Dealing with neighbour’s trees can be challenging, but understanding your rights and responsibilities can help resolve issues effectively. This guide provides practical advice on managing overhanging branches and hedges while adhering to legal and environmental regulations.

Pruning Overhanging Branches:

You have the right to prune or remove branches that extend onto your property. However, it’s crucial to do so without harming the tree or violating any legislative protections. A professional tree surgeon can advise on the extent of pruning to maintain the tree’s health and stability. Remember, you cannot demand that your neighbours reduce the height of their trees or hedges.

Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs):

Before pruning, check if Tree Preservation Orders or Conservation area restrictions apply. These orders protect trees of special interest, and any work must be approved by the local authority. Additionally, offer any debris back to the tree owner, but you cannot force them to carry out this work or pay for it.

High Hedges Legislation:

If an evergreen hedge adversely affects your property, you can file a formal complaint with your Local Planning Authority (LPA) under the High Hedges legislation. This process involves a charge and follows government guidance on Hedge Height and Light Loss. If successful, the LPA will set an Action Height for the hedge to be reduced.

Handling Hazardous Trees:

If a neighbour’s tree or hedge poses a danger to your property, contact an arboricultural consultant for advice. Stumpman Tree Surgery offers qualified tree surgeons in Surrey, Hampshire, and Berkshire. Reach out today to discuss your concerns.

Conclusion:

While you may not have a legal right to a view obscured by trees, understanding and respecting your neighbour’s property rights can lead to peaceful resolutions. Whether it’s pruning branches or addressing high hedges, professional advice and courteous communication are key.