Tree Problems Got a problem with a tree? Here are some of the questions the tree officers deal with most often.
Q. A tree outside my house is very overgrown. How often are street trees inspected?
A. All street trees are included in an inspection and pruning programme - find out more about street trees here.
Q. There is a tree blocking light to my property. Can it be pruned or removed?
A. As a resident, you don't have a 'legal right' to light that may be blocked by trees. However, we do take this into consideration when planting and pruning trees. You can use the online  tree problem report form to tell us if trees are blocking your windows or street lights.
Q. Can I request that a fallen or diseased tree be replaced?
A. Yes - click the link to find out more about planting new trees.
Q. I live in a private property and have a tree in my garden that needs pruning - can the council do this for me?
A. The council does not carry out tree pruning for private residents. Before you do any work on your tree, check that it is not protected by a Tree Preservation Order and find out about approved tree surgeons.
Q. My neighbour's tree is overhanging into my garden. Am I allowed to cut it back?
A. You should ask the owner of the tree to have it pruned. If they refuse (and the tree is not protected by a tree preservation order) you are legally entitled to cut it back as long as you
- Cut it back only to the boundary line of your property
- Do not trespass on your neighbour's property
- Offer the cuttings back to the owner of the tree
Q. I am a tenant on a Southwark housing estate. There is a tree on the estate that needs pruning. What should I do?
A. Contact your local area housing office. They will be able to contact the tree section directly to deal with the problem.
Q. There is a tree overhanging from a private property and causing a nuisance to people walking past on the footpath. Can you help?
A. The council will be able to help with this problem although we cannot simply cut back the overgrown tree. The property owner will be contacted and requested to cut back the tree or bush so it does not cause a nuisance. Click here to report this problem using the street surface problem report form.
Q. A footpath has been damaged by tree roots and needs to be repaired - can you do this?
A. Yes, the highways team will look into the problem and liase with the Tree Section to solve the problem. Click here to report this problem using the street surface problem report form.
Q. The tree outside my house is causing subsidence - what should I do?
A. Click the link to find more information about tree-related insurance claims.
Q. A street tree is making a sticky mess on my car/property - can it be removed?
A. The council does not remove trees for this reason.
Q. A street tree outside my property has falling fruit and leaves - can it be pruned to prevent this?
A. No, pruning will not help with this problem. The street cleaning team routinely sweep and/or clean the streets to prevent falling leaves and fruit from causing too much of a problem.
Q. The birds in the trees outside my property are causing a mess with bird droppings. Can the tree be removed?
A. Although this is inconvenient, it is not a good enough reason to remove the tree. Pruning will not solve the problem either as the birds will sit on the remaining branches. Street cleaning problems can be reported using the street cleaning online form.
Contact us
Tel: 020 7525 2000 (24 hours)
environment@southwark.gov.uk
Tree Section
151 Walworth Road
London SE17 1RY |