Developers now-er days are becoming shrewder when it comes to finding premium plots of land to build on, using ingenious tools in which to locate and then circumvent regulations which, astonishingly considers gardens as “brownfield” sites and therefore easy to build on.

Using such sophisticated satellite equipment they are able to pin point larger plots of land in peoples back gardens that are no longer being used or have become quite costly or time consuming to maintain, then approach the householder and of course make them an offer they can’t refuse or, more commonly buy a house with a large garden were location, location location maximises there profit margins then demolish the house and so build a mini estate.

The question is where does this leave our trees our wild gardens our mature shrubs which our wide and varied Eco systems often depend on? 

As arborists we have, particularly in the South East of London namely Greenwich and Lewisham witnessed the great increase of such operations, dealing often as we do with neighbourly disputes and very disgruntled home owners being promised the safe keep of neighbouring mature trees by either developers or indeed tree council officers, only to find out when they get back from work its no longer there.

Unfortunately neighbour disputes are becoming more common place  as buildings are being erected in very close proximity to other buildings, current occupants are often left facing a brick wall through their kitchen windows, new buildings perch uncomfortably in former gardens, looking rather like a game of residential hide-and-seek.

The solution?

We therefore welcome the opportunity to discuss your concerns, whether it is to create more privacy from neighbouring properties, reduce air/noise pollution, to add more substance and maturity to your garden/housing estates or indeed simply to offset your carbon footprint. We have extensive experience in advising clients of appropriate species of trees to plant, where to plant so that ultimately we can maximise the impact to your garden space and by extension your  surroundings whilst minimising the detrimental impact to property structure.  

We are compiling at present for your convenience a small selection of urban garden trees which may prove helpful when making a decision on the type/s of trees you might be considering. 

Beech tree ( Fagus sylvatica)
Shady summer green beechwoods are a delight to see and walk through. Beech is potentially a very large tree which is thought to be native in the south of Britain it is however not really suited long term to a small garden environment. It produces fine timber even on thin chalk and limestone soils. Late spring frosts may be damaging in years when they occur. Grey squirrels and beech bark disease can also be problematical in some areas. Beech is a shade tolerant specie so planting in close proximity, in a shady garden or as specimen tree in large gardens . There is also a great demand for furniture, plywood and flooring with this tree.

Mulberry tree (Morus nigra)
Black mulberry produces delicious plump black juicy edible fruit. White mulberry produces leaves for silkworms to eat. Both species have hard heavy golden brown timber used for marquetry, inlay work and veneer oysters. The standing trees however usually have such heritage and amenity value that they are unlikely to ever be cut down for timber. Black mulberries develop a spreading head of tangled branches and vine like leaves. They often lean or even recline to one side in old age (300 years or more). Originally from West Asia, this species is said to have been in Britain since the sixteenth century.

Rowan Mountain Ash tree (Sorbus aucuparia)
A native species seen at its best amongst the acid rocky uplands of the north and in Wales. Its display of golden leaves and bunches of radiant scarlet berries (which being rich in vitamin c makes a delicious jelly) on a fine October day is a memorable sight. In woodlands it grows well in association with sessile oak. Rowan is an interesting name. It reflects Norse legends and superstitions about the tree. The old Norse name ÔrunaÕ means a charm. Runa was the Sanskrit appellation to a magician. The wood is hard and useful for small items such as tool handles and spinning wheels

Hazel or Cobnut (Corylus avellana)
British native hazel is exceptionally valuable for wildlife and habitat conservation.  Traditionally hazel was coppiced on a short rotation (6-15 years) under a well spaced out crop of standard oaks. Treated this way stools (the stumps) are known to live longer than 500 years. It grows in the wild as bushy thickets 4-6m high The traditional products of the hazel wood are increasingly sought after today. Especially for ornamental or agricultural use (woven fencing). Hazel nuts are another product that should not be overlooked. The best nuts (filberts) appear on the Balkan species Corylus maxima grown in Britain since 1759.

Silver Birch tree
A tough thoroughly hardy pioneer tree that not only looks good with its graceful silver stems and yellow autumn leaves, but produces fine pale cream timber. Once established it affords shelter to other less robust trees. It is ideal for amenity or for commercial use. This British native species also benefits wildlife and the environment wherever it is planted. Silver birch will tolerate a wide range of soil conditions. It is a good choice for a small garden.

Below is a selection from other clients. If you wish to do so then please enter your details in the form at the bottom of this page, and thank you for your time.

“Trees UK’s approach and understanding of our needs, has achieved a result which truly enhances our gardens.”

Whatever the size of your project, We welcome the opportunity and are pleased to receive and discuss your needs so that ulimately we can enhance your urban enviroment.

Where felling is the only option available various planting scheme/s are suggested so that we can maintain, wherever possible, a constant balance between tree and building. 

We can recommend an appropriate cyclic maintenance program for trees that would benefit from this. We then provide a costing and can also suggest a complimentary planting scheme for the site where necessary.

There are basically two types of preservation orders:

1. Tree preservation orders (TPOs): These are specifically allocated to individual trees, contravention of such TPOs eg pruning or felling trees with the exception of dead dying or dangerous trees without permission is dealt with by criminal law and carries a maximum penalty of £20,000 per tree.
2. Conservation area:This is blanket preservation cover stretched out over a geographical area within the bounderies of a local authority. On both situations the local authority/council reserves the right to preserve these trees and enforce, irrespective of whether you own the tree or not.