Falling trees can cause significant damage.
Sadly, they even kill an average of about five people per year in the UK (and injure many more).
And, whilst there are currently no reliable statistics on this, they hit many more properties.
Is there a maximum height of trees near houses in the UK?
In the UK, there’s no maximum height limit for trees.
If you have a concern about a tree on or near your property, then you should report it to the council.
The council will inspect the situation and make a ruling on whether action needs to be taken or not.
Signs a tree might fall
There are several signs a tree might fall.
However, these aren’t easily detectable by non-experts and storms can unexpectedly blow over perfectly healthy trees, too.
That said, it’s worthwhile looking out for the following:
- Leaning (especially if it’s recent)
- Cracks in the trunk
- Discoloured, leafless sections or branches
- Raised soil around the base.
Tree species
There are around 160 main types of tree species in the UK.
Some of these are more prone to falling than others. This might be because, as a species, they have:
- Brittle wood (such as horse chestnut trees)
- Shallow roots (such as willows)
- A structure prone to impact from high winds (like pine trees).
That said, conditions irrelvant to their species can also play a large role.
Trimming trees from neighbouring properties
You can’t cut or trim a tree on someone else’s land.
But you can trim a tree if its branches cross your property boundary. Just make sure you keep evidence that this happened.
Planting and pruning trees on property
When you are the freehold owner, you usually can prune or plant a tree on your property. This can be anywhere in the garden or near the structure itself.
There are some circumstances that can potentially prevent this, such as:
- With some listed buildings
- When trees blocks the right to light of a neighbour
- For trees protected with a ‘Tree Preservation Order’
- In protected areas or areas of oustanding natural beauty (AONB).
Example case: Giant redwood in Epping (Essex)
In 2024, an application was made to cut down a 22-metre, 150 year old redwood tree. It was reportedly causing subsidence damage to nearby property foundations.
However, a petition was created by a local organisation to preserve the tree, which hundreds of people signed. It stated:
This Redwood is one of the oldest and largest in the area, providing essential habitat for local wildlife. Its loss would not only impact biodiversity, but also forever change the character of our town.
At present, there is no news on whether the tree has bene felled or not.
Example case: Fine for felled trees in Welwyn Garden City (Hertfordshire)
In 2024, two men were fined £27,500 for legal costs related to their unauthorised felling of trees in an area with Tree Protection Orders status.
At the time, a representative of the council remarked:
“This injunction sends out a clear message to people who have no regard for our natural environment and highlights the importance of our Tree Protection Orders.”
Taking care of the trees on your property
You are responsible for everything on your land, including trees.
If a tree on your property causes damage to a person or another property, then this is your responsibility.
This could cause a property dispute, and you could be sued and be liable for damages. Trees often cause damage to roofs, which can be expensive to fix.
It’s also your responsibility to be aware of any animals that are nesting in the tree, including:
- Protected species: This could include certain bird, bat or even rodent species (such as red squirrels).
- Invasive species: This can include certain types of fungi (such as Ramorum Disease) or plants (such as Japanese knotweed) that might spread to neighbouring properties.
