armybloke

I look at that picture of the fractured concrete and think 'a tree did not do that'. Shame the tree is not shown in relation with the driveway. It appears that the slab has either sunk towards the garden or lifted slightly towards the hedgerow. I would be interested to see the camber of the drive as it slopes towards the garden (stone edging) as I would not rule out something heavy sitting on the drive sometime in the past and rocking the slab inwards. Do you know what gives the game away slightly is that the kerb edge in the hedgerow where the concrete slab has lifted does not appear to have moved with it. If anything that kerb is lower than the rest making me think it dropped down when the slab lifted from the garden side. In the grand scheme of things, that driveway is repairable, the tree can be retained and managed away from the property sufficiently that there is no conflict or a foreseeable nuisance. The Beech is an early mature specimen and undoubtedly the roots have explored the garden but the open space is prime feeding ground! There you go, you have had some 'free' consultancy and the tree remains intact! (Caveat - I would need to see the tree to offer a valid opinion of course!) Leaf litter is seasonal, shade transient and the benefits of having a tree in proximity has countless benefits; Increases house value Humidity control Shade when you need it Tranquillity when in need of peace Habitat for wildlife Mulch (leaf litter) for the garden Hydrology control - think of it as a sponge in periods of rain = reduced likelihood of flooding Kids climbing frame - free! Kindling for your log fire Wind deflector when everyone else's tiles are flying off their roof! SOLD?

The tree (apprx 40 years old) is on the boundary with my neighbour, who would also like to see the tree down as it is very close to her property. The canopy is overhanging the corner of her house. She has sent an objection to the TPO previously, but has not received any acknowledgement to her letter. The tree is currently lifting my neighbours concrete drive and my understanding is that although I cannot fell the tree I am still liable for any damage that the tree may cause. This seems very unfair. I have another beech of a similar age on the boundary with the road, but have received no TPO for this, so it makes me all the more convinced that the TPO is motivated by a desire to frustrate any future planning application rather than to protect one copper beech amongst many other trees along the road, none of which have TPO's. Once the TPO is confirmed by the council, do I have any right of appeal? If the TPO expires again, can I legally fell the tree? As has been suggested now, the right thing to do is get a professional to provide a comprehensive report on the tree, physiological and structural and it may prove that there really is a reason to fell - if that is warranted and all other options have been explored. Overhanging trees can be pruned, lifting concrete (really concrete?) can be relaid and engineered not to upheave again. There is a solution for development around pretty much every tree so 'wanting a tree removed' is not a good reason and any reason really needs lots of evidence to substantiate it (in my experience). A TPO does not 'expire' I'm afraid to tell you. A TPO is removed when a tree is removed, but in most cases the TPO is transferred to the replacement tree. You can appeal in the duration allowed. You will find this link VERY useful. http://planningguidance.planningportal.gov.uk/blog/guidance/tree-preservation-orders/ Keep the forum posted on how you progress because I am sure it would apply across many situations in life. Also a few pictures would be good to appreciate your situation.

I want one!

I am afraid that if the notice has been served on a Regulation 3 Notice once more with an opportunity to object within the 28 days then the TPO is live and you should not remove the tree. A Section 201 direction secures the protection of the tree for up to six months from the date of making the TPO. Regardless of their failure to make their decision within the six months this does not prevent them from confirming the TPO afterwards. The original TPO will lose its protective status but it sounds like they have realised this and therefore re-set the six months once again. The LPA only need make a fresh TPO if they consider that the landownership has changed otherwise all previous documentation and referencing can remain in place. The tree is being protected for a number of reasons I should imagine. Amenity value, arboricultural importance etc (Copper Beech make a notable tree and would score well if in good condition). If you have good cause not to want to retain it you must prove it. By the way why do you not want it? I was a Tree Officer in a previous job so hopefully things have not changed too much and my advice is no longer valid?

Worthy of inclusion in someone's book!

Top bloke Derek - did mine there too. Biscuits and a free pen!

Got a PICUS? It will inform you of your next action in terms of management

Alnus incana maybe rather than Alnus rubra - my mistake

The leaf shape resembles a red alder but the stem not so?

Just a quick though as you have not mentioned the height of your retained dead tree. Consider the hazard and whether you are able to reduce the tree so should failure occur then the risk is significantly reduced ie, failure would not cause structural damage (the reason you ask for an 'RPA'). You could add a natural prop (sturdy limb or similar) to ensure the tree falls the opposite way to the prop if that is acceptable or desirable. I have seen that approach on the continent. In terms of RPA, I concur with Jules, maybe a new name?

Very smart - I have peeked on your website Stephen and your work is fabulous!

Popped up to the Midlands for a little work and found this lurking in the woods on a fallen black poplar - stunning in the morning sunlight!

I volunteer for the Wildlife Trust and these meadows are a haven for wildlife only the problem facing all the sacred sites is that they getting smaller by the ever increasing demand for development space. A big shame that a knee-jerk reaction saw the demise of swathes of meadowland.

Fully grown Pinus nigra 1730m above sea-level on the Jura mountains

Some interesting trees

Becanson had lined avenues of Tulip and London Plane either side of the Rhone and Rhine

Along the Mosel we stumbled across this garden dedicated to local nun with an immense Black Walnut easily 24m tall with a stem of about 2m

A few more trees

Examples of the knitting frenzy - included fungi, flowers animals and scarfs for trees!

This Tilia Henryana could be heard from about 10 m away - buzzing with nectar feeders!

Also in Nancy was a Jardin du Botanique where an elderly lady knitted items for the gardens. The arboretum was home to trees across the globe and I have attached a few for note.

In Nancy we passed a convalescent home for war widows with a lovely Black Walnut in the front aspect and a number of stunning Limes.

After a 1600 mile round trip from home to friends in Geneva via the Mosel Valley I collected a few pictures that may be of interest. Metz to Luxembourg it was noted that the majority of woodlands were of single species of Lime (which is how southern England would have looked - ref; Rackham). In a local park in Metz I saw a White Ash (grafted with Polyporus squamosus).

This will end up being the same prognosis as Ash dieback. Fell everything then make a new decision to leave everything standing to fend for itself - why destroy a forest that may have a number of resistant trees among it? I often despair. Do we kill everyone with Ebola??

Acer saccharinum