Dangerous Tree

[Dorset Treeman]

I looked at a twin stemmed macracarpa this evening just before dark and it has a split running from the union, approximately 2m down the stem. The tree is costal and the wind is strong and each time the tree flexes, the split opens up around 3/4" or so.

 

If the back stem failed, it would hit the neighbouring property. I told him of the seriousness of the trees condition and its likeliness of failure, especialy in the strong winds currently blowing. His response was regarding his legal liability rather than the safety of the neighbour, which I didn't expect. I made it clear that he is liable for that tree and has a duty of care for the neighbours safety.

 

I have come home and emailed him and text him requesting he has the tree dealt with as soon as possible and that the neighbour is made aware of the risk and he has replied saying he will go round. I only have his work for this.

 

Should I do anything else, as it is obviously playing on my mind as to how I could have handled this better. Is this a police matter?

 

The property is an hour away from where I am now. It needs a mewp which we don't have so I have even given the owner details of another competitor tree surgeon who I know has a mewp and does emergency call outs.

 

Looking for any advice from someone who would know my duty of care as a professional arborist.

[Joe Newton]

Sounds like you've done all you can and more than some would. You could send the neighbour a formal letter notifying him. You have records to prove you have advised the best course of action so I would imagine you're covered. I suppose you could notify the TO to be safe.

[Acg128]

Go pop a business card through the neighbours and hope you get a call when it goes pete tong!

[Dorset Treeman]

Informed the local TO first thing the morning after so feel I did everything I could/should have done.