trees and high hedges
Information on Trees and High Hedges
Borough Councilllors Wendy Rider and Charles Royden have allocated thousands of pounds from their ward funds towards the planting of trees in Brickhill. In 2024/25 we expect to have over 30 trees planted in street in Brickhill. We always ask council officers to ensure that the right species of tree is planted and will not grow into a nusiance for residents by dropping fruits on pavements or out growing their location. We also receive many questions about trees and complaints about trees which are causing disturbance and this information should be helpful to you
Dangerous trees
The council is responsible for the management of all trees on the public highway and in our parks and green spaces. If you see a tree on public land that you feel is dangerous, please call 01234 267422 to let them know. They will inspect the tree as a matter of urgency and take action to remove the danger. During storms or high winds, they receive a high number of reports of damaged trees that may be dangerous. They assess the level of urgency of each and will deal with them as quickly as we can in order of priority. Unless there is a genuine emergency, reports will be processed within 30 working days.
Trees causing damage to your property
They will cut back trees from properties where they touch windows, walls, roofs or gutters. This is to avoid damage to aerials, tiles and gutters. Cases of direct root damage will be considered on an individual basis. They will not normally take action on complaints that council trees are damaging drains. Trees do not have the capacity to break into a sound drain, but they will exploit an existing fault. The removal of one tree will not prevent other vegetation from exploiting the same opportunity. The appropriate way to deal with tree root blockage of drains is to ensure that the drains are watertight. If you have a council tree that has caused damage to your property you should contact the council at the following email address
Overhanging trees into your property
Under Common Law you have the right to prune encroaching tree branches or roots back to the boundary of your property.
The council will not prune overhanging trees to alleviate the nuisance except in extreme circumstances, or if they are dangerous.
Trees causing a nuisance
There are a variety of potential nuisances associated with trees, most of which are minor or seasonal. Examples are:
- reduction or increase of moisture to gardens
- falling leaves, sap, fruit, nuts, bird droppings or blossom
- suckers or germinating seedlings in gardens
- leaves falling into gutters, drains or onto flat roofs
- the build up of algae on fences, paths or other structures
The council are not legally obliged to prune trees that:
- block light to your property or shade gardens
- interfere with television or satellite reception
Ivy on trees
The council states that Ivy causes no direct damage to trees. They will only remove ivy if it helps us to see how healthy the tree is.
In woodland, ivy has a variety of conservation benefits and forms an integral part of the natural habitat. In the urban environment, we keep ivy on trees if we can balance these three things:
- Conservation
- Tree safety
- Aesthetics
You can find out more in the
council tree management guide for residents (PDF)
Tackling High Hedges
What can I do about a high hedge? My neighbour's hedge blocks all the light in my garden. These are the sorts of questions which we are frequently asked. many people want to know what can be done about high hedges planted in a neighbours garden. Sometimes these do become high and intrusive. The attached leaflets are a useful guide to what can be done, from talking to your neighbour to asking the Council to take formal action to have the hedges reduced in height.
Tree Protection Orders
Bedford Borough Council is responsible for protecting trees within its administrative area in the interest of amenity. They have the authority to make Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) which means that specific permission is required for works to such trees. Special provisions also apply to trees within conservation areas.
You may find this interactive map helpful
- Request tree advice Please submit a pre-application enquiry to discuss potential works to a tree that is protected or in a conservation area.
- There is a fee for this advice.
- The written consent of the Borough Council is required for cutting down or carrying out any work on trees protected by a TPO. An application for works to a protected tree is free of charge.
- Works to trees in conservation areas - six weeks’ notice must be given to the Council before any works are undertaken to trees in a conservation area. An application for works to a tree(s) in a conservation area is free of charge.
Who to contact
Dangerous trees, trees requiring pruning, tree stumps, etc Bedford Borough Council
callcentre@bedford.gov.uk 01234 718060
Tree blocking pavement, private tree, trip hazard Bedford Borough Council Highways
highways.helpdesk@bedford.gov.uk 01234 718003
