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Tree look dangerous

valerierobertsvalerieroberts Posts: 726
in Problem solving
just recently two large branches have dropped off an old big beech tree. Where the branches have been tidied up the core looks rotten in the middle. Soft and crumbly. There is a tree TPO on it. What should I do for safety of my neighbours. Help please
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Posts

  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    edited October 2021
    I had similar a few years ago, I would get on to the council first and report it as dangerous. They have to act on that very quickly once reported. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    Contact the relevant department of your local council as I imagine it will be they who placed the TPO on the tree.
    They should send someone out to look at it - it may help speed things up if you emphasise the possible danger if left as it is.
  • valerierobertsvalerieroberts Posts: 726
    @Lyn and @philippasmith2  Thank you so much, it’s  near the neighbours hedge at the bottom of the garden. Near their house! and the November gales could come soon. Do you know who would be responsible if the tree were to blow down and damage their house. Valerie 
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    I would get those facts from the council Valerie.  Then you’ll know straight from the horses mouth.
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    Agree with @Lyn. The council will be your best bet. It will depend on your neighbour's property insurance as to whether they will be covered for something like that but no doubt their insurance company would be wanting to know whether all possible had been done to prevent any damage.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    And keep dated records of your communications with the council, and take names of whoever you speak to. It all helps with clarity. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • valerierobertsvalerieroberts Posts: 726
    @Songbird-1, @Dovefromabove, that sounds good advice, it will be followed to the letter. Many thanks, Valerie 
  • cmarkrcmarkr Posts: 142
    Is the tree yours? If so get an arborist to look at it, you are doing the right thing in wanting to take action. If it is your tree and you know it could be dangerous but don't take action then should anything happen then you would be liable due to negligence - I don't say this to worry you, this is only true if you don't take timely action but it sounds like you fully intend to 👍
  • KT53KT53 Posts: 9,016
    I was also going to ask if the tree is on private property or on council land.  On private property it is  the landowners responsibility and they need to act quickly as there are now known problems with the tree.  They could now be held liable for any damage done by more falling branches etc.
  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    Trees can survive for many years with hollow trunks and not sustain any damage but having it properly assessed is the first step. There's quite a number of dead beech trees up here and they all survive even the most severe gales. The worst damage always seems to happen to living trees in leaf though. I've seen a healthy beech tree literally twisted hard enough that it ripped the trunk apart. It does get a little breezy up here at times though :#
    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
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