Trees in gardens are the responsibility of tenants to maintain – it is not our policy to carry out maintenance of trees in gardens. We receive numerous calls and queries each year asking for work to be done on trees for a number of reasons that regrettably we are unable to undertake. Examples of work that we cannot do include: trees blocking out light or overgrown; overhanging branches causing obstruction; trees dropping sap, leaves, fruit or branches. If you need to prune or cut back branches, you will not need landlord permission to do so unless the work involves felling or removing major branch limbs. Some of these issues may present safety concerns, but these are matters that residents can be expected to control as gardens are areas for private use (for example by cutting back obstructions or supervising children to avoid climbing trees).
If you have a garden and wish to plant trees, please try to keep your choice in proportion to your garden avoiding species that grow rapidly out of control. For example, leylandii conifers are a common nuisance that can draw a lot of water from surrounding land, affecting grass/plant growth and blocks out neighboring light. Many problems that occur with trees comes from self sown saplings that grow along fences and walls – if these are taken out very early they prevent years of problems once these trees reach maturity.
If you are unable to carry out tree maintenance work, then please ask friends, neighbours or family to lend a hand.
You may also wish to consider a mutual exchange or transfer of property to a flat which does not require garden maintenance. If you are underoccupying your home, this can also free up much needed family accomodation for applicants on the Councils Housing Register.
Other help may be available through the Community Payback Scheme run by St Helier Safer Neighbourhood Team. They consider projects where there is benefit to the community and organise community service work to be carried out by ex offenders. The work is closely supervised and provides an opportunity for those involved to ‘give something back’ to the local community as part of their rehabilitation. If you have a project you wish to be considered, they can be contacted on 0208 6493591 or in writing to: St Helier Team Police Office, Sutton Arena old pavillion building, Tweedale Road, Carshalton, Surrey SM5 1SL. You should detail what the aim of the project is, explain what the problem is, what work and time may be involved, and how this is likely to prevent future problems happening. The Community Payback Team will only consider work at ground level using hand tools.
We will only provide limited help in cases where a tree poses an immediate risk to life, limb or property, for example after a storm where trees may be uplifting, interfering with pylons or likely to fall causing a hazard to the public or property damage. In these limited circumstances, the tree will be inspected to assess the risks, necessity and urgency of work. In emergencies, trees will normally be inspected within 24 hours and if urgent, normally within 5 days. Please note, a structural building report may be necessary for you to obtain before we consider carrying out tree work, and charges may apply in advance for any work undertaken.