I’m TRAPPED in my own home by ‘dangerous’ tree – I want it chopped down but council refuses… no one will help
Date: 2024-10-21A PENSIONER says he’s been trapped in his home by a “dangerous” tree which has damaged his property – but the housing association are refusing to chop it down.
Steve Geer, 67, told how the tree has uprooted his fence and tiling – stopping him from going into his garden in south west London.
He slammed the housing association which owns the tree in the leafy Teddington area for “treating me with contempt”.
Snaps show how the tree has dislodged paving slabs in the disabled OAP’s front garden – making it dangerous for him to move around it.
An independent report by experts found that the tree had damaged Steve’s fence and paving.
The report also found that the tree’s roots had jammed shut Steve’s garden gate in a fresh headache for him and his wife Eileen, 75.
But Steve says his complaints to housing association RHP have fallen on deaf ears.
He told The Sun: “It’s disgraceful. This tree is 15ft away from my property.”
Steve added: “It has caused all this damage to it – but they just don’t seem to care.
“It’s been going on for years and they’ve just treated me with contempt while raking in money.”
The pensioner said RHP has made no efforts to repair the damage or compensate him for it.
He fears the visible damage has left his home an eyesore and has knocked down its market value.
Steve complained to his local MP Munira Wilson, who probed the rogue tree.
'Pettiest couple in UK' chopped neighbour's tree in half
THE Geers' tree troubles come after neighbours in Sheffield were locked in a row over a fir being chopped completely in half.
Bharat Mistry was left furious when her neighbours Graham and Irene Lee, took drastic action against the tree in her garden.
The 16ft fir tree, now famously chopped in half, continues to attract curious visitors and even boasts Google reviews.
The elderly couple, both in their 70s, cited overhanging branches and the mess from nesting pigeons as reasons for their year-long dispute.
The Lees eventually hired professionals to slice the tree in half, leaving the Mistry family devastated.
Despite the passage of time, the tension between the two households lingers.
Bharat told The Sun: “We exchange pleasantries now but that is all. We have come to live with our tree as it is after nearly three years but not love it.
“I don’t let it bother me now – we can’t change it. It’s still standing and we maintain it.
“We get on with our business and they get on with theirs.”
Read more here
In emails seen by The Sun, Wilson said RHP told her it did not own the tree.
But the local council confirmed that the housing association did own the area outside Steve’s home, including the tree.
An official pointed out that the tree had a distinctive metal tag used by RHP.
The tree was planted as a sapling while the street was under different ownership.
Steve believes it was planted too close to his home by bumbling workmen.
The tree is now fully grown – uprooting the pavement asphalt around it, which has been visibly repaired.
WOOD YOU BELIEVE
An independent report from last year concluded: “The paving slabs to the front of the property have clearly been displaced.
“The extent of displacement is as much as 8cm. The areas of paving worst affected are approximately in line with the tree.”
It continued: “The asphalt has clearly been repaired to mitigate tree root damage.
“Similar damage to the asphalt radiates out from the tree in other directions.
“A visible root from the tree is clearly causing direct damage to the pavement.
“In line with the tree and the area of repaired pavement, the centre of the fence has also been lifted.
“The fence panels on either side of the damaged asphalt now slope upwards towards the damage.
“Paving slabs have been raised leading up to the front door. These interfere with the operation of the wooden gate.
“It is clear that the observed damage is a consequence of direct pressure caused by incremental growth from the roots of the tree.”
RHP’s Caroline Hand said: “RHP is a socially responsible landlord which is committed to providing safe, secure homes in a way that’s environmentally sustainable.
“To enable all residents to benefit from the increased wellbeing that trees provide in our communities, we take expert advice to ensure our communal trees can thrive.
“We have a robust tree maintenance programme, which includes a full survey of every communal tree, every three years, plus an annual walkabout.
“Both are carried out by an independent qualified arborist. In April 2023, the tree in Borland Road was inspected.
“It was advised that the crown should be reduced by a maximum of 20-30 per cent or up to three metres.
“This work was completed and we also made repairs to the surrounding path owned by RHP.
“The tree was inspected again this summer by our independent arborist on 27 August 2024 and no works were recommended.
“However, we will re-inspect the path and make good any potential hazards that are found.
“We’re only permitted to carry out the arborist’s recommendations and the cost of any tree works are passed on to residents.
“As Mr Geer’s property is privately owned, the boundary isn’t something we can repair.
“We have listened to his concerns and advised that the work required to level out the pathway within his property boundary be claimed through his building insurance.
“We’ve also advised Mr Geer contacts Richmond Council regarding his concerns of public safety in respect of the council-owned pavement.”
Tree trouble: know your rights
HERE the Arboricultural Association's official guidance on overhanging trees and encroaching roots:
It is generally best to discuss your concerns with the tree owner
beforehand.
But under established ‘common law’, you should be able to prune branches and roots that grow over your boundary, with or without the owner’s consent.
You also have a legal duty, however, to take ‘reasonable care’ whilst undertaking the works.
You may be liable if you damage your neighbour’s tree, or cause it to become unstable.
It is therefore unwise to undertake works without first consulting an arboriculturist.
The parts cut off from the tree remain the property of the tree owner, so they should be offered back.
If overhanging trees or encroaching roots have caused damage to
your property then you should contact your building insurer for advice.
Your insurer will usually contact the owner of the trees asking them to
abate the nuisance and will arrange for any repairs to be undertaken.
If damage has not yet occurred, but you believe there is a foreseeable
risk that the trees will cause damage in the future, then you should
discuss your concerns with the owner.
Write to them asking them to have the trees inspected by an arboriculturist.
You should keep copies of any letters sent as they prove that you have highlighted your concerns should damage occur in the future.
Source: The Arboricultural Association
