Pruning a Silver Birch in conservation area advice

[richyB]

I'm only a lawn mowerer so keep it simple please. Cutting a chaps lawn today and he asked if I had some high step ladders to trim a conifer hedge for him. Like a muppet I said I had a long reach hedge trimmer, and I can fit a small chain saw to it, so no problem. Then he shows me a Silver Birch (about 10 metres high) the lower branches are all over hanging his drive and garage and asked me to cut them off for him. We are in a conservation area and according to the council website you have to tell them if you are topping, thinning or removing. I have their tree number but I don't want to waste their time if there is no need to call them. So can I just use the pole pruner to take the stray branches off, or leave it alone?

Many thanks

Rich

[Mesterh]

You need to ask them.

 

If its just a conservation area and not under tpo then a quick email with the details should sort it out.

[Stevie Mac]

Call them, better to waist there time than get a fine! As far as I am aware you need to get permission to do any tree work unless its dead, dying or diseased.

But I let other people deal with that side of things I just turn up and do the work!

[janey]

If a tree has a trunk diameter of 7.5cm at 1.5m above ground level, then it is covered by Conservation Area regulations.

 

This means that you have to notify (as opposed to asking permission for a Protected tree) your Local Authority of any tree work that you intend to carry out. This is known as a Section 211 Notification. They then have up to six weeks to either allow the work as outlined to go ahead or place a TPO on the tree.

 

Take a look at the planning pages of your Council's website or give them a call if you need help, they're usually nice enough in the tree section

[richyB]

Thanks for the replies, to be on the safe sde I will give them a tree surgeons number.

Cheers all

Rich