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Tree Problems

While trees are a much valued part of our environment they occasionally can cause problems. Responsibility for a tree usually lies with its owner. If you have a problem with a tree you will therefore need to determine who owns it.

Public Land

Trees in public spaces are often the responsibility of the local authority, either the district council or the County Council. To find out if a tree is on County Council land you can view the council owned land in our GIS - Online Mapping.

If the problem is with an individual tree on land owned by the County Council you should email the council’s Estates division or telephone the council’s Grounds Officer on 0191 3834021, unless the tree lies within the grounds of a school, in which case you should approach the head teacher.

If the problem is with an area of woodland owned by the County Council you should email the council’s Estates division or telephone the council’s Forestry Officer on 0191 3834027.

If the problem is related to trees, hedges or foliage affecting a public highway you should contact the Highways Action Line.

If the land appears to be in public ownership but isn’t owned by the County Council you should contact your District Council to find out if they are responsible for it.

Private Land

If the tree is on privately owned land, you will need to take up any problems you are having with it with the landowner. If you can’t arrive at an agreed solution, your District Council may be able to provide you with further advice.

If the tree is on your own land, you should seek the advice of a suitably qualified arboriculturalist.

Further Information

  • For a list of arboriculturalists who are members of the Arboricultural Association, search their website or Tel: 01794 368717.
  • The Communities and Local Government website contains some useful guidance on trees and high hedges. You can view or download their leaflet Over the Garden Hedge which gives advice on how to resolve problems with tall hedges with your neighbours. Some of that advice applies equally well to trees.
  • The Tree Advice Trust is an independent charity providing advice on the cultivation, maintenance and care amenity trees. They operate a Tree Helpline for impartial advice on trees, hedges and shrubs Tel: 09065 161147 (calls are charged at a rate published on their website - £1.50 per minute (November 2006)).
  • Community Legal Service (CLS) helps people find the right legal advice. There are CLS information points in local libraries. Alternatively search their website to find your nearest CLS provider or Tel: 0845 3454345
  • The Citizens Advice Bureau offer free, confidential and impartial advice.