Trees - Your Questions Answered

There is a council owned tree blocking out sunlight. Can it be pruned or removed?

Unfortunately, residents have no legal right to light blocked by trees. The Council inspects its trees regularly to ensure that they are maintained safely. Tree works are not carried out solely to alleviate light restriction or overhang. Seasonal inconveniences like shade, leaf fall and sticky honeydew do not justify felling a tree. We must also consider the amenity value that would be lost and the expense of the works.

There is a tree outside my property that is tall and moving in the wind. Is it dangerous?

Tall trees are not necessarily dangerous. Healthy trees produce enough wood to remain upright. The action of swaying, allows the tree to withstand normal weather conditions, and even strong winds. If the tree is on council land and you believe it to be dangerous please report it to us or phone 01202 265275

There is a tree dropping fruit/seeds/leaves on my property. Can I have the tree pruned or removed?

We do not remove or prune trees for this reason. These are seasonal problems that pruning will not solve. However, if the problem occurs on a public highway you can report the problem to our
Street Cleansing section.

A tree has fungus growing on it. Does this make the tree unsafe?

Not necessarily. There are many types of fungi that live happily on trees. However, if the fungal growth is close to the base of the tree or from the stem or branches, this may suggest wood decay. Removing fungal fruiting bodies from trees will not get rid of the fungus since by this stage it is well established.

If you believe that a tree on council owned land is diseased that it is unsafe, please report this to us or phone 01202 265275.

If the tree is on your own property and you are unsure if its condition is making it unsafe, you are advised to contact a tree surgeon for a professional opinion.

There are tree roots in my garden and they are growing under my house. Are they going to damage it?

It is inevitable that in such a green area setting as Poole, surface roots will appear in gardens. With care, you may treat them in a similar way as overhanging branches, by cutting them back to your boundary line. However, since tree roots are the anchorage system of a tree, great care must be taken not to remove large roots which will cause the tree to become unstable. We recommend that you do not remove any roots within a 2m radius of the tree, and ensure that nothing is removed that is over 5cm in diameter.

Will trees cause damage to my drains?

It is very rare for trees to block up or cause damage to drains. Roots may occasionally block drains, but in order for the roots to gain access the drain must already be damaged. If you suspect that a drain has been broken or blocked, you are advised to contact us on 01202 262200.

On a nearby building site, the builders are felling/pruning trees. Is this permitted?

The development should have planning permission  and planning permission overrides the legal protection of trees. The issue of trees, their felling, pruning, and replacement will have been included in the planning officers consideration.  If you suspect that work being carried out hasn't been authorised please report this to us or phone 01202 633321.

My neighbour is cutting down/pruning a tree in his garden. Has he permission?

If the tree is not covered by a TPO and is not in a conservation area, then no permission is required unless:

• The tree is on a joint boundary or the workmen require access to adjoining property to carry out the job, then the permission of the other party is required with respect to civil law.
• The tree is so large and mature that the work, particularly felling, poses potential dangers to property and land and therefore would require clearance and guidance under Health and Safety Regulations.

What do I do if I think someone has damaged or felled a protected tree?

Please report this to us supplying the relevant details. We can check to see if they are undertaking permitted work. If we have no record of work taking place and the trees appear to be protected, we will try to inspect them within 24 hours of the initial enquiry and often much sooner.

Can protected trees be felled to enable development to take place?

If trees are not the subject of a Tree Preservation Order  or is not within a Conservation Area, they may be removed without our permission.  

Will the Council pay for my protected tree to be pruned?

We will not pay for works to protected trees . All landowners are responsible for ensuring their trees are safe and any pruning work required will be at the landowner's expense.

Can I appeal against the Council's decision if my application to carry out tree work is refused?

If the tree is privately owned you can appeal. These are dealt with independently by the Planning Inspectorate . We will prepare a report outlining its case for refusal.

If the tree is council owned and after assessment, we decide the work is not appropriate then you will be notified in writing. We will have assessed your application against the list of the councils responsibilities. However under certain circumstances you are entitled to arrange for work to be carried out by a private tree surgeon. 

I have a tree that is protected and I want to do some work to it. How do I get permission?

Applications to fell or prune a protected tree must be made in writing to our Planning Department. Alternatively, you can apply online via the Planning Portal .

How can I get a tree protected by a Tree Preservation Order?

We will generally only apply a Tree Preservation Order  if it can be demonstrated that the tree is under threat and contributes to the character of surrounding area.

What is a Conservation Area?

A Conservation Area is an area of special architectural or historical interest. Trees within a Conservation Area are protected by the same rules as those covered by a Tree Preservation Order.

What is a Tree Preservation Order?

A Tree Preservation Order (TPO) is a special form of protective order that applies to certain trees. TPO's are used to protect trees that are particularly attractive and contribute to the appearance of an area.