Trees

The trees have been very beautiful this year, haven't they? Gold, yellow and red. Property Sparrow loves to see the leaves fluttering down.

She's all for protecting native species and trees that enhance a residential area or a landscape. Tree Preservation Orders ( TPOs), however, can sometimes be problematic.

The car park at one of Property Sparrow's flats has been buckled by the roots of trees growing underneath it; some of the tarmac is so badly broken that four of the parking bays are out of use and taped off. The trees stand in the grounds of the school next door. The Council, in its wisdom, has made a TPO on the trees; they cannot be cut down, topped or lopped without the Council's consent. The TPO prevents the tree roots from being pruned and the tarmac from being repaired. In situations like this, a TPO can severely restrict what a property owner can do about a tree affecting his property.

There's been protracted correspondence between the management company and the Council. A solution has been found in the form of a cellular confinement system. Property Sparrow has had to look this up and has learnt that it's a method of confining tree roots and directing where they grow so that hard surfaces can be relaid over them without damaging the roots and without allowing the roots to damage the surface. It's good for the tree and it's good for the property owner. There seem to be plenty of companies in this business; this one, for example, explains the method in detail.

By the way, the bureaucracy connected with TPOs is up for consultation by 20 December. There are proposals to streamline the system. If you are affected by TPOs on your land, you may wish to download the proposals.

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