‘We are terrified one among our 100ft bushes will crush us in our houses – however the council will not allow us to chop them down!’
As storms ravage the UK, residents of a tree-lined street are living in fear of one landing on their homes but their local Council says they must not be touched.
In the latest battle of Columbia Drive in Worcester, a householder asked for permission to fell a 100-foot silver birch that sways over his property, dropping branches on his car.
He told planners that the roots were lifting up the ground in front of his house and even promised to replace the tree with a different one.
But Worcester City Council, which has its own Tree and Landscape Officer, rejected his plea stating: ‘No evidence has been provided to suggest that the tree is in poor health or poses an immediate risk.
‘Silver birch trees are naturally lightweight species, and regular maintenance, such as deadwood removal, would address the concerns of falling branches without requiring removal.’
Justina Wrobel, 40, who lives next door with her husband and two children, said she backed her neighbour and would like to deal with her own massive tree.
‘We have the same problem,’ she said. ‘We would like to get it cut down but we know it is useless to even ask.
‘The previous owner of this house tried and was turned down. The tree is dangerous. It is bent out of shape and could come down and kill someone or destroy someone’s car.’
Residents along a leafy Worcester road claim they have been told they are unable to fell trees by their council
The hundred foot trees pen in houses along the road but cannot be felled
Some locals have expressed fears that the trees could come down during storms
According to locals, the City Council started a major tree-hugging campaign after one was cut down without their permission.
‘They put Tree Protection Orders on everything after that,’ said the local resident, who asked not to be named.
‘It makes them feel all worthy but the reality is that the trees are out of control. They expect the residents to fork out for tree maintenance but tree surgeons cost a fortune and nobody is doing it.’
One family has been left considerably out of pocket due to the Council’s pro-tree dogma.
Jess, 33, who lives with her husband and two children, had a massive Maple tree on her driveway.
The Council refused permission to cut it down in 2017 only for its roots to tear up a section of communal pavement between the houses.
‘That pavement is used by the residents of four houses as a point of access for their bins.
‘We were told if anyone were to trip up then we would be liable.’
The dangers forced the Council to relent and grant permission for the tree to be removed.
That left the family to pay over £1,000 to have it removed, along with planning fees.
They now have an ugly stump remains and they have a year to remove it and replace it with another tree.
They are also liable to repair the pavement.
‘It’s an eyesore,’ said Jess. ‘Obviously we knew it was there when we bought the place, we just did not know that despite the damage it would do the Council would protect it.’
Other residents were incensed by the Council’s intransigence.
One family has been left considerably out of pocket due to the Council’s pro-tree dogma (Pictured: their felled tree)
Residents have been left incensed by the Council’s intransigence on the issue of the trees
Helen, 76, a resident of the road for 10 years, has a 100 foot silver birch in her front garden.
‘It bothers me to death every time we have a gale,’ she said.
‘I just cross my fingers and hope for the best. The branches blow off, the car gets covered in bird muck but it’s protected.
‘I wanted it trimmed back but the tree surgeon said he’d only be allowed to cut back 10 per cent of one year’s growth and that would cost me £400.
‘I doubt I’d be able to see any difference…except to my bank balance.’
Gardener John Harvey, 64, said: ‘I love trees and I think if they are healthy and not about to fall over they should be left alone.
‘The one they wanted to fell does have some problematic roots. I used to mow the grass for the former owner and they are coming up through the ground.
‘They do need a lot of maintenance and people just can’t afford to pay for it.’
Just yards from Columbia Drive, on a patch of open ground, a tree had fallen over in the recent storms.
‘Now if that had been on a residential street, can you imagine the damage caused,’ said Pete, 58. ‘These Councils act like an arm of Extinction Rebellion. As long as they can appear to be Green, they just don’t care.’
