How to remove sapling without damaging lavender bush

Germanshepherdsmum

Why do you say a Scots pine is very unlikely to be subject to a TPO fleurpepper? What’s your reasoning there?

In a conservation area all trees have the same protection as if they were subject to TPOs.

Not necessarily in this area; we are in a conservation area and not all of the trees have TPOs.
However, it is always wise to get written confirmation from the Tree Officer at your County Council if you need to have a tree removed.

Fleurpepper

Germanshepherdsmum

A tree does not have to be native to the area to qualify for protection.

Perhaps you didn't read my previous post. We tried to put a TPO on a huge and magnificent walnut tree- very rare in the East Midlands. And it was refused and we were told that was because it was not a native tree to the area.

Oh!

We have trees around here which are not native but have TPOs on them, even a sycamore which is really common.

An appeal may have been successful. A shame you didn’t enlist the services of a professional.

Thank you-sadly too late. We were told by the Council that no appeal was possible- wrongly as you say. There was a lot of vested interest and lots of money involved re a new development- with some of the Councillors involved. Too late and what a shame. I am glad the one we planted is doing well and producing walnuts, albeit still quite small. We go past our old house fairly often- now a Nursery (children, not plants!).

Fleurpepper

Germanshepherdsmum

I read your previous post. The criterion is that the tree brings significant amenity benefit to the local area. That’s the legal position. You could have appealed the council’s refusal to protect the walnut tree.

Thanks. We were told there was no appeal possible. A huge shame as it was magnificent and very old. A walnut tree is one you plant for the next generations- as they take so long to mature and bear fruit.

We planted a walnut tree that year, and it is now quite tall and bearing fruit, 20+ years later- but it will take another 100 or more to reach the size of that magnificent one. I used to pick bucketloads of walnuts.

An appeal was possible within 8 weeks of the council’s decision.

You are totally right- this thread has digressed a bit too much.

Yes, this is the advice MayBe gave, and I would say the same. Wait till autumn though.

Fleurpepper, I hadn't read your post before commenting so my post wasn't in response to yours -sorry if you thought it was.

But to answer your query, I would risk digging out the lavender nearby carefully, getting that sapling out properly and then replanting the lavender. Make sure you water in the lavender thoroughly when you replant and then keep an eye on it in any dry weather - but they are tough plants and will survive with care.

The walnut tree we planted is on the corner of our ex property, and NOwhere near another house, and will never obscure or cause any issue with any house at all.

As an aside, my next door neighbour planted a conker in his garden (50ft maximum length) a few feet from the bottomof his garden and about 15 feet from our boundary fence. It is now about 8ft tall but he is adamant it will not be a problem for many years so it willing to let it grow. Regardless of the fact that it's roots and the shade it provides are likely to cause problems not only to him but to his neighbours in the next 10 years or so. Needless to say I am not happy, but what can I do?

Sycamores are not UK natives - introduced by the Romans, and known by many arborculturalist as "the weed of the forest"! I hate them so am very biased!

Germanshepherdsmum

I read your previous post. The criterion is that the tree brings significant amenity benefit to the local area. That’s the legal position. You could have appealed the council’s refusal to protect the walnut tree.

Thanks. We were told there was no appeal possible. A huge shame as it was magnificent and very old. A walnut tree is one you plant for the next generations- as they take so long to mature and bear fruit.

We planted a walnut tree that year, and it is now quite tall and bearing fruit, 20+ years later- but it will take another 100 or more to reach the size of that magnificent one. I used to pick bucketloads of walnuts.

Small ornamental trees are still trees. Larger trees could be planted in the streets, on communal grounds, in the larger gardens. If a garden is too small to contain a large tree within its boundary then that tree is too large for the garden. Why should one person be able to override the wishes of several neighbours who might like to have full use of their own garden space?

You wouldn’t get many trees planted would you, especially given the size of garden a new house has. Just a little ornamental one perhaps.

* contained within, not on.

On the subject of trees I'd like it to be made law that anyone planting a tree must site it such that the entire canopy will be contained on their own property. Too many people plant them on the boundary eventually forcing their neighbours to "enjoy" the tree whether they want to or not. There is a huge wild cherry tree at the bottom of the garden which backs onto mine. 3 other properties suffer from the shade and dryness it's enormous canopy creates, apart from the ton of seedlings that need pulling every year. It can't be removed because we're in a conservation area.

I read your previous post. The criterion is that the tree brings significant amenity benefit to the local area. That’s the legal position. You could have appealed the council’s refusal to protect the walnut tree.

Germanshepherdsmum

A tree does not have to be native to the area to qualify for protection.

Perhaps you didn't read my previous post. We tried to put a TPO on a huge and magnificent walnut tree- very rare in the East Midlands. And it was refused and we were told that was because it was not a native tree to the area.

A tree does not have to be native to the area to qualify for protection.

Germanshepherdsmum

Why do you say a Scots pine is very unlikely to be subject to a TPO fleurpepper? What’s your reasoning there?

In a conservation area all trees have the same protection as if they were subject to TPOs.

Good question. Just depends if it is native to the area.

MayBe, if the tree is causing real issues, puts your car, you and visitors at risk of severe injury, and causing possible subsidence- you need to get advice asap. TPO or not, if the tree is doing all of the above, the TPO should be put aside.

When I had some of the branches removed the tree surgeon had to apply for permission from the council. I had to change my house insurance years ago because the insurer a the time refused to continue insuring a house with such a large tree next to it. I often see people on Facebook criticise people for wanting to have trees removed and I love trees but if I could wish away my tree ( and several more that overhang my back garden) I would. The roots also cover the area in the front garden where the water pipes are? I’m forever sweeping up pine needles and cleaning bird poo off the windows! I never foresaw the problems when I was in my twenties.

Why do you say a Scots pine is very unlikely to be subject to a TPO fleurpepper? What’s your reasoning there?

In a conservation area all trees have the same protection as if they were subject to TPOs.

We have many sycomores and ash trees on our property boundary- and yes, two will have to come down and will be logged to keep us in fire wood for many many years- but I love and respect those native trees- only those too close to the house will go, and yes, it is a constant battle to remove self sown of both.

A Scots pine is very unlikely to have a TPO on it. Why don't you ask the Council for advice, and legal advice too. And your House Insurance. We had a problem with very tall limetrees from the pub next door causing subsidence- the insurance paid for all the removal of one out of two trees and full under pinning and claimed against their insurance. No-one has the right to cause such damage to your property - you truly need to seek proper advice.

I didn’t ask him. However he built a dwelling for one of his farm workers and I think some of the trees were affecting the BT wiring going to the property. It’s funny how rich farmers are able to remove trees that people like me can’t. His father seemed to have a fondness for Sycamore trees. My problem tree is a Scots Pine. Three times the height of my house and probably makes my house unsellable. I certainly wouldn’t buy it if I had my time again and I don’t think a house would be allowed to be built so close to a mature tree now. I think he plans to buy my house when I’m gone because there is an access gate to his farm next to my house.I think I need to sum up some assertiveness! His father put up the fencing round my garden and the other gardens bordering his land and shouted at me for putting the trellis back onto it that had been on the original fence! It’s all a bit feudal!