Full Answer
Is there a law on conifer tree height?
The most common question I’m asked is whether there is a law on conifer tree height. While there is no legislation restricting the height of any individual tree, legislation does exist to restrict the height of evergreen hedges.
How tall should a leylandii hedge be?
Leylandii trees should be grown no taller than 2m in height. That being said, if a hedge is below that height and still being a nuisance to neighbours, they are within their rights to report to the council who will ultimately decide the acceptable height.
How tall are the two conifers next to each other?
One is now 40ft high, the two conifers next to that are 12ft and 30ft respectively. either side of… read more Alice H Solicitor of the Senior Courts
Is there a legal limit on the height of evergreen hedges?
While there is no legislation restricting the height of any individual tree, legislation does exist to restrict the height of evergreen hedges. What is often referred to colloquially as the High Hedges Act, actually refers to the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003, which gives powers for the local authority to serve a Remedial Notice on a landowner if:
How high can conifers grow legally UK?
There are no laws on how high the hedge can be grown but a council can take action if it is affecting someones reasonable enjoyment of their property, so maintaining your Leylandii hedge well from the start is recommended.
What is the maximum height of a conifer?
This calculated range of maximum height for Douglas-fir, predicted on the basis of vertical trends in pit aperture conductance, is consistent with the historic record height range of 100–127 m (16, 17).
How high can Leylandii grow legally UK?
For example, even though the legal height of a Leylandii tree is 2m (as a high hedge), the council may consider the following factors: Whether the tree blocks sunlight to neighbouring gardens. Whether the tree is on a slope.
Is there a height limit for trees?
By analyzing the interplay between these forces, a team of biologists led by George Koch of Northern Arizona University calculated the theoretical maximum tree height, or the point at which opposing forces balance out and a tree stops growing. This point lies somewhere between 400 and 426 feet (122 and 130 m).
What can I do if my Neighbours trees are too high?
ContentsOverview.Talk to your neighbour.Contact your neighbour's landlord.Use a mediation service.Complain about noise to the council.High hedges, trees and boundaries.Call the police.Take action through the courts.
Can a Neighbour force you to cut down a tree?
Although it may seem like they should, there is no legal duty on a tree owner to cut their trees back or down (unless the tree's growth constitutes a real and present danger).
What is the legal height of a tree between Neighbours?
In general, there is no specific limit to the height that a tree is allowed to grow, but if the trees form a vegetative screen that is limiting a neighbours usage/enjoyment then it could be a High Hedge issue which Planning Enforcement would potentially get involved with.
What is the legal height of a Neighbours hedge?
two metresMaking a complaint Please note that there is not a blanket rule that all hedges must be no more than two metres in height. The complaint form explains why you consider the hedge is adversely affecting the reasonable enjoyment of your residential property.
How close can a conifer be to a house?
If it is in a pot then how far it is from the house is immaterial. If it's not in a pot, then it should be planted more than 5ft from the house (I would think 10 feet minimum), if you intend to keep it for longer than 10 years as by then it will be 12-15ft high.
What are the rules regarding Neighbours trees?
you must not trespass onto the land on which the trees are growing. branches or roots must not be cut back beyond the boundary in anticipation of them overhanging. any branches, fruit or roots that are removed must be carefully returned to the tree owner unless they agree otherwise.
What can I do if a neighbors tree is blocking my light?
It's always best to try to reach an amicable resolution by speaking to your neighbour direct about issues such as problematic tree branches. This is because legal disputes can become expensive, cause significant bad feeling and ultimately reduce the value of your property.
How close to the house can a tree be UK?
Safe distances of trees from houses in the UKSpeciesNormal Mature Height (M)Safe Distance (M)Magnolia95Maple2120Oak2430Pine29822 more rows•Nov 13, 2020
How high can Neighbours hedge be?
two metresMaking a complaint Please note that there is not a blanket rule that all hedges must be no more than two metres in height. The complaint form explains why you consider the hedge is adversely affecting the reasonable enjoyment of your residential property.
Why do conifers grow so tall?
Redwoods and other conifers don't have a lot of the fancy reproductive adaptations that make angiosperms so specious and successful, and they have tracheids, not vessel elements, in their xylem, but they do have cellulose and lignin and that seems to be enough to let them grow as tall as they do.
Why are conifers tall?
They get ample water and enough sunlight. There's plenty of nutrients and they have the genetics to grow tall. Finally, they live long enough to reach incredible height.
Why are coniferous trees taller?
Broader leaves provide much higher surface area to trap the incident light for photosynthesis than leaves of taller trees...and hence , productivity and rate of photosynthesis are more in trees having broader leaves...
How tall do Leylandi conifers grow?
A Leylandi conifer left to grow naturally will reach a height of 50 - 60ft.
How far can you build out from your house?
Regs which apparently changed in 2008 allow you to build 4m (13ft) out from your property, up to the full width of the building and up to level of existing eaves, (so that can be a lot lot higher than 4m!) without applying for PP. That allows a fairly sizeable uncontrolled extension.
Can a 4m high squid build extensions?
Sheds, summer houses, and the like. Big ones ..and yes he can build extensions too .
How tall is a hedge?
the hedge is over 2 metres in height; and. the hedge is a barrier to light to a neighbouring property. This hedge height law requires you to raise your concerns with your neighbour before complaining to the council in writing. You should note that your complaint may need to be accompanied by a fee.
What is the High Hedges Act?
What is often referred to colloquially as the High Hedges Act, actually refers to the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003, which gives powers for the local authority to serve a Remedial Notice on a landowner if: they have an evergreen hedge consisting of at least two evergreen or semi-evergreen trees or shrubs; and.
What to do if your reception is affected by trees on neighbouring land?
So, if your reception is affected by trees on neighbouring land, there is no legal remedy available to you. Instead, you will have to rely upon neighbourly goodwill. If you believe that pruning or reducing the tree may solve the problem, you might offer to pay for, or largely contribute to, the cost of the work.
Is there a law on the height of conifer trees?
The most common question I’m asked is whether there is a law on conifer tree height. While there is no legislation restricting the height of any individual tree, legislation does exist to restrict the height of evergreen hedges.
Is it dangerous to grow a tree?
Even if you consider your neighbour’s trees are too tall, trees are not generally dangerous, whatever their height. On the contrary, statistically, they are very safe, with fatalities very rare. Trees have evolved to deal with various adverse conditions.
Can you use a satellite receiver if you have a tree?
It may come as a surprise to hear that being the holder of a TV licence or the subscriber to a satellite service, does not give you the right to a signal to your television, satellite receiver or radio. It merely allows you to own and use the device. So, if your reception is affected by trees on neighbouring land, there is no legal remedy available to you. Instead, you will have to rely upon neighbourly goodwill. If you believe that pruning or reducing the tree may solve the problem, you might offer to pay for, or largely contribute to, the cost of the work.
How Tall can my Leylandii Tree be?
Leylandii trees should be grown no taller than 2m in height. That being said, if a hedge is below that height and still being a nuisance to neighbours, they are within their rights to report to the council who will ultimately decide the acceptable height.
Is it legal to grow Leylandii trees out of control?
Hedge heights can be a topic of tension between neighbours, so it’s important you know the legal heights. Since Leylandii grows extremely rapidly, it is easy for your hedge to grow out of control. Below we detail the legal height of leylandii trees.
Can Leylandii grow too much?
Allowing your Leylandii hedge to grow too much in height can restrict light from your neighbours’ garden, leading to them making a complaint . Whilst it is always preferable to negotiate with your neighbour and come to an agreement, understanding your obligations and the legal height of leylandii trees is beneficial.
What is a high hedge?
2 or more mostly evergreen or semi-evergreen trees or shrubs. affecting your enjoyment of your home or garden because it’s too tall. You might have to pay the council a fee to consider your complaint. Read more about complaining to your council about a high hedge.
Who is responsible for hedges?
Your neighbour is responsible for maintaining their hedges so they do not, for example, damage your property or grow too high. If they do damage your property, your neighbour may be liable.
Do you need council permission to trim a hedge?
If you live in a conservation area, or the trees in the hedge are protected by a ‘ tree preservation order ’, you might need your council’s permission to trim them.
How high should a hedge be above ground?
There are no fixed rules on the size of gaps. But a hedge with gaps at more than 2 metres above ground level that significantly affect its overall effect as a barrier to light or access is not a “high hedge” and, therefore, you cannot complain to the council about such hedges under this procedure.
What can councils use to decide what height hedges to use?
The council may use the government’s guidance to help them decide what could be the best height for the hedge.
What should the council decide about hedges?
The council should decide whether the hedge is adversely affecting your ‘reasonable enjoyment’ of your property and, if so, what action (if any) should be taken to put right the situation or stop it happening again. The council have to weigh up all relevant information before reaching a fair and balanced decision.
What does a council officer do when they see a hedge?
When they’ve got both sides of the story, a council officer will visit the site to look at the hedge and its surroundings. The officer will also get other facts that they need to help them decide your complaint. They might, for example, measure the size of your garden or how far the hedge is from windows in your home.
Can you complain about over the hedge?
If you’ve taken the steps listed in Over the garden hedge and can answer ‘yes’ to all the points listed below, the local council is likely to be able to consider your complaint.
Can a council assess a tree preservation order?
Yes. The council should assess the case in the same way as an application to carry out work on trees protected by a Tree Preservation Order or a notice of work on trees in a conservation area.
Can the council order your neighbour to stop the hedge from growing again?
This could include keeping the hedge within its new height for as long as it’s there. The remedial notice issued by the council will say what must be done.
