hariba1

Hi, I am purchasing a property that has had previous subsidence thought to be caused by a large oak tree in the open ground to the side. The property has been underpinned a few years ago. The aboricultural report that was carried out at the time states that the cause was considered to be an oak tree. It's a smallish open woodland type area with various trees which I thought was owned by the local authority. The reports I have suggested that the LA owned the land and had refused to cut the tree down - it's not protected. I have now found out that the LA do not own this land and that the owner of the land was uncontactable. Bits I have dug out go years back. My question is, what happens if I cannot make contact with the land owner? The branches from the oak tree are now overhanging the property and need to be cut back. And I am also worried as the report recommended the tree to be cut to grown level. I assume the underpinning was done because they too were unable to contact the land owner to have the tree cut. Does anyone know what the law would be as surely the tree would be able to be cut down it is causing potential ongoing issues and the owner is not contactable? Thanks