Will council cut trees?

themoneyguy

I recently inherited a house that was really over grown evergreen trees (12 trees about 30 foot high 10 feet wide!) around the boundary. These trees are quite out of control and completely and over hang over the path and are growing into the powerlines and telephone poles. They seem to be posing a bit of danger.

Problem is that I do not have any money to hire someone to cut/trim them and I wouldn't be confident that I have the skill to cut them.

Given that they are so out of control would the council consider cutting them?

paddy147

themoneyguy wrote: »

I recently inherited a house that was really over grown evergreen trees (12 trees about 30 foot high 10 feet wide!) around the boundary. These trees are quite out of control and completely and over hang over the path and are growing into the powerlines and telephone poles. They seem to be posing a bit of danger.

Problem is that I do not have any money to hire someone to cut/trim them and I wouldn't be confident that I have the skill to cut them.

Given that they are so out of control would the council consider cutting them?

Dont know if the council would bill/invoice you for a tree prunning service,as the trees are inside your boundary line/property and therefore would be your responsibility.

Doom

As far as I know the the trees should be trimmed by ESB networks or whatever they are called theses days, its a specialist job, do not try it yourself.
They normally do this as a routine every few years.

slowburner

themoneyguy wrote: »

I recently inherited a house that was really over grown evergreen trees (12 trees about 30 foot high 10 feet wide!) around the boundary. These trees are quite out of control and completely and over hang over the path and are growing into the powerlines and telephone poles. They seem to be posing a bit of danger.

Problem is that I do not have any money to hire someone to cut/trim them and I wouldn't be confident that I have the skill to cut them.

Given that they are so out of control would the council consider cutting them?

No.
If they are growing from your property, they are your responsibility. Even when outside your property.

Your only chance is to contact the ESB, and tell them that power lines are under threat.

If they are hardwoods, try posting in the Woodworking forum - someone might want them and take them down for free.
If they are the dread Leylandii, you've got a problem because they are good for nothing.
If they are any other kind of tree, they may have value as firewood.
Any idea what they are?

looksee

Sorry slowburner, I can't agree with you. You need a professional company to take down trees, not a woodworker. You might well be able to dispose of the timber to a woodworker, but even then there would be a lot of rubbish, but don't allow any amateurs to come into your garden and start felling trees.

paddy147

slowburner wrote: »

No.
If they are growing from your property, they are your responsibility. Even when outside your property.

Your only chance is to contact the ESB, and tell them that power lines are under threat.

If they are hardwoods, try posting in the Woodworking forum - someone might want them and take them down for free.
If they are the dread Leylandii, you've got a problem because they are good for nothing.
If they are any other kind of tree, they may have value as firewood.
Any idea what they are?

Insurance...PUBLIC LIABILITY.

Make sure the arborist person/persons have full coverage/insurance before leting any person work on or in your garden/property.


If someone aint fully covered with their own insurance and they have an accident on your property,then they will sue you for lots of money.
The OP will need a fully insured arborist to work on the trees.A bad/wrong cut to a tree can severely wound it and possibly kill it too.

slowburner

paddy147 wrote: »

Insurance...PUBLIC LIABILITY.

Make sure the arborist person/persons have full coverage/insurance before leting any person work on or in your garden/property.


If someone aint fully covered with their own insurance and they have an accident on your property,then they will sue you for lots of money.
The OP will need a fully insured arborist to work on the trees.A bad/wrong cut to a tree can severely wound it and possibly kill it too.

Fair point.

allthedoyles

Section 37 of the Forestry Act, 1946 states that it is illegal to uproot any tree over ten years old or to cut down any tree, unless notice of the intention to do so has been given in accordance with the Act.

Notice of intention to fell or uproot trees must be given in writing on a form known as a Felling Notice which may be obtained from any Garda Station or directly from the Felling Section of the Forest Service.
On receipt of a completed Felling Notice, an Order prohibiting the felling of the trees is issued.
This protects the trees in question while consideration is given to the issuing of a felling licence.

The prohibition on the uprooting or cutting down of trees does not apply where:

it is a hazel, apple, plum, damson, pear or cherry tree grown for the value of its fruit or any osier ( Note - this refers to any one of several willow species especially where grown for their rods for basket-weaving etc.).

the activity is covered by a limited or general felling licence and during the period during which such authority is exercisable.

it is less than 100 feet from a dwelling other than a wall or temporary structure;

it is standing in a County or other Borough or an urban district.

The tree is standing on land held by the Minister for the purposes of this Act

Other exceptions apply in the case of road construction, road safety and Such as the case where a tree is uprooted or cut down by direction of the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs on the ground that it is a danger or obstruction to telegraph or telephone wires. Another case could be where the tree is certified by a local authority as dangerous to road traffic on account of age/condition or in connection with road widening or improvement schemes or, building or constructional work

In the case of electricity supply operations the tree can be cut down under section 34 of the Local Government Act 1925 or section 98 of the Electricity Supply Act 1927

slowburner

looksee wrote: »

Sorry slowburner, I can't agree with you. You need a professional company to take down trees, not a woodworker. You might well be able to dispose of the timber to a woodworker, but even then there would be a lot of rubbish, but don't allow any amateurs to come into your garden and start felling trees.

Absolutely right.

Of course, anyone tendering for the job needs to show the following, and the customer needs to verify that all are legitimate:

VAT number
Tax clearance certificate
Insurance (including public liability, working at height and chainsaw use)
A written safety statement
Proper PPE
Waste disposal certificate from the relevant county council
References from previous customers.

Kristopherus

slowburner wrote: »

Absolutely right.

Of course, anyone tendering for the job needs to show the following, and the customer needs to verify that all are legitimate:

VAT number
Tax clearance certificate - NOT Required for a private contract
Insurance (including public liability, working at height and chainsaw use)
A written safety statement
Proper PPE
Waste disposal certificate from the relevant county council
References from previous customers.

Fixed that for you.

paddy147

slowburner wrote: »

Fair point.

Much more than a fair point with regards cutting back a tree,a persons and the publics health and safety and also a trees health and longevity too.

magicbastarder

allthedoyles wrote: »

The prohibition on the uprooting or cutting down of trees does not apply where:

it is less than 100 feet from a dwelling other than a wall or temporary structure;

very possibly the pertinent point here.

i would also disagree with leylandii not being good firewood; properly seasoned, i've not had a problem with it.

Oldtree

DO be aware of the danger associated with trees growing into overhead lines; advise ESB if you feel that such trees may be hazardous.

from here
https://www.esb.ie/esbnetworks/ga/downloads/esb_networks_farm_safely_booklet.pdf

Wheelsonthebus

Call the ESB- they'll do it.

looksee

The ESB will only cut trees back so they are not interfering with the lines, you could end up with some very one-sided trees!

Wheelsonthebus

Nope- they'll cut the whole tree. It'd be completely dangerous for them to leave them like that. They couldn't leave it in such a way that you'd be going up there yourself with a step ladder and shears and get a thousand volts into the bargain.

They've done mine before, did a great job. Ask them politely and they might do more that just the trees near the wires.

Squiggle

allthedoyles wrote: »

The prohibition on the uprooting or cutting down of trees does not apply where:

it is standing in a County or other Borough or an urban district.

When is a tree not standing in a County?

Squiggle

Wheelsonthebus wrote: »

Nope- they'll cut the whole tree. It'd be completely dangerous for them to leave them like that. They couldn't leave it in such a way that you'd be going up there yourself with a step ladder and shears and get a thousand volts into the bargain.

That's not my experience. ESB cut some evergreens belonging to me and butchered them - left them in a disgraceful state by hacking one side near the wires and leaving the other side untouched.

slowburner

Squiggle wrote: »

When is a tree not standing in a County?

You're misreading it, it refers to County Borough, City Borough, or other urban district.

paddy147

Squiggle wrote: »

That's not my experience. ESB cut some evergreens belonging to me and butchered them - left them in a disgraceful state by hacking one side near the wires and leaving the other side untouched.

Did you ask them if they were qualified professional arborists???;)


ESB (aka Electric Ireland) should be using propper qualified people to work on trees.

As well as all county councils too.

slowburner

paddy147 wrote: »

Did you ask them if they were qualified professional arborists???;)


ESB (aka Electric Ireland) should be using propper qualified people to work on trees.

As well as all county councils too.

The ESB subcontract tree work.
I think it's quite likely that they are compelled to check the credentials of their subcontractors.

Just because someone is a qualified arborist, doesn't mean they will do a job sympathetic to trees. Their task is to remove threats to power lines, not topiary.

celticcrash

The ESB dont take away what they cut down. Cut and drop.
And only the ones that are near the powerlines.

paddy147

slowburner wrote: »

The ESB subcontract tree work.
I think it's quite likely that they are compelled to check the credentials of their subcontractors.

Just because someone is a qualified arborist, doesn't mean they will do a job sympathetic to trees. Their task is to remove threats to power lines, not topiary.

Ah here now.......come in like


While keeping the tree healthy enough to survive and continue growing (in alot of cases up and around power lines) by making the right type of cuts and taking out the right branches to do this successfully.


An arborist (whether its a he or a she) has a duty to do that aswell and to protect a tree.
Not just come in and chop a tree up in any old way because he or she is being contracted by ESB or a county council..

.17hmr

celticcrash wrote: »

The ESB dont take away what they cut down. Cut and drop.
And only the ones that are near the powerlines.

The ESB only require them to take a certin distance away from the power line 6 foot lv and 12 to 15 foot mv. the crews are required to leave the land or gardens spick and span that means removeal off all branches to a place that they can be cut up neatly and or chiped and removed and fire wood in owners garage if need be.They only cut and drop when the land owner let's them but the crews are required to clean up after every job


as far as i know.

Oldtree

paddy147 wrote: »

Ah here now.......come in like


While keeping the tree healthy enough to survive and continue growing (in alot of cases up and around power lines) by making the right type of cuts and taking out the right branches to do this successfully.


An arborist (whether its a he or a she) has a duty to do that aswell and to protect a tree.
Not just come in and chop a tree up in any old way because he or she is being contracted by ESB or a county council..

quite right paddy147, I have seen few correct cuts, let alone management of the tree and would doubt that there are many arborists working for the ESB. Most likely you will find oldboys or 2 day certificated tree workers.....

paddy147

Oldtree wrote: »

quite right paddy147, I have seen few correct cuts, let alone management of the tree and would doubt that there are many arborists working for the ESB. Most likely you will find oldboys or 2 day certificated tree workers.....

I was waiting and hoping you would reply again here...seen as you are an arborist yourself.


Thanks.

Mo60

[QUOTE=Oldtree;82961713. Most likely you will find oldboys or 2 day certificated tree workers.....[/QUOTE]

Where can I find them?

We contacted ESB last August to cut some trees and we are still waiting.

Oldtree

Mo60 wrote: »

Where can I find them?

We contacted ESB last August to cut some trees and we are still waiting.

just keep hasseling them,
trees banging lines etc......;) sure to get them motivated.

8. A tree is interfering with an electricity line

Q. What do I do about trees that will soon interfere with an overhead electricity line?

A. Contact us and we will arrange to have the trees cut back.

Call 1850 372 757

We will then arrange for an inspection by a tree cutting crew and, if it is necessary, we will carry out the work within 3 or 4 weeks.

Q. Will I be charged for any trees that need to be cut?

A. No, there is no charge for essential tree cutting.

Q. Can I cut them back myself?

A. Under no circumstances should you attempt to cut them yourself. You could come in contact with the live wires and might be electrocuted! Please leave the job to the experts who are used to dealing with live wires when cutting trees.

Q. Will you cut down the trees completely of will you just trim the branches back?

A. Under normal circumstances we will just trim the branches back a suitable distance. However, if the trees are in an unstable condition and there is a real danger they could fall on the line we will cut them down completely

Q. What happens to the timber from the trees?

A. Our tree cutting contractors will cut up the branches into transportable lengths and place them in a suitable area for storage for you if you wish. Otherwise they will dispose of the timber themselves.

Q. I have some expensive specimen trees and I would like my own tree surgeon to cut them back. Is this allowed?

A. Certainly. However, you should still Contact Us beforehand so that we can visit the site and see what is involved. We may have to temporarily disconnect the lines to facilitate the work.

Note, if you employ a tree surgeon ESB Networks will not pay his/her costs.


from here http://www.esb.ie/esbnetworks/en/domestic-customers/faqs.jsp#tree_intergering

monkeynuz

Oldtree wrote: »

quite right paddy147, I have seen few correct cuts, let alone management of the tree and would doubt that there are many arborists working for the ESB. Most likely you will find oldboys or 2 day certificated tree workers.....

Although technically I would have thought they would need climbing/working at height tickets, so not 2 day certified.

I think round my area they use a professional tree care/forestry firm.

Althought like you say they don't generally leave a nice finish but then in fairness they are normally on a tight schedule and have to get a certain amount done per day I.e piece work style.

M.

.17hmr

Oldtree wrote: »

quite right paddy147, I have seen few correct cuts, let alone management of the tree and would doubt that there are many arborists working for the ESB. Most likely you will find oldboys or 2 day certificated tree workers.....

Yes they are a lot off people working with chain saws that never should have got a cert let alone hold a saw in the first place.5 to 7 years ago i said to a few assessors and trainers that i did not agree to these one week courses where you cram all in .the last few years you see the affects of poor cut's and shoddy workmanship because on the course when the instructor was showing the cuts they were still thinking about puwer and loler and all the afag guide lines its a shame it was let go for so long.

as for the old-boy's some of us do care about our workmanship and how we leave a job. As for fully qualified aborists in the esb i am not sure but they are meny wana be aborists just some of my thoughts

Oldtree

.17hmr wrote: »

as for the old-boy's some of us do care about our workmanship and how we leave a job. As for fully qualified aborists in the esb i am not sure but they are meny wana be aborists just some of my thoughts

Good for you there are few and far between that actually care and continually update their practice, qualified or unqualified, no disrespect intended, and without the oldboys i wouldnt be here.

Oldtree

monkeynuz wrote: »

Although technically I would have thought they would need climbing/working at height tickets, so not 2 day certified.

I think round my area they use a professional tree care/forestry firm.

Althought like you say they don't generally leave a nice finish but then in fairness they are normally on a tight schedule and have to get a certain amount done per day I.e piece work style.

M.

Ok them 3 day certified, the point being not long in training.
I have yet to see trees cut by ESb workers cut correctly, and I keep an eye out for it.
a tight schedule is not an excuse for shoddy workmas ship, and they should have put in a proper quote to allow for proper work.

Coll1e

themoneyguy wrote: »

I recently inherited a house that was really over grown evergreen trees (12 trees about 30 foot high 10 feet wide!) around the boundary. These trees are quite out of control and completely and over hang over the path and are growing into the powerlines and telephone poles. They seem to be posing a bit of danger.

Problem is that I do not have any money to hire someone to cut/trim them and I wouldn't be confident that I have the skill to cut them.

Given that they are so out of control would the council consider cutting them?

There seems to be common misunderstanding that trees somehow need to be controlled. I have some experience of working with trees in urban areas and am amazed by the number of people who fear that trees have gotten "too big" or need topping. The reality is that trees have certain habits (height/spread etc) depending on the species and far too often works are carried out, even by qualified arborists, which are wholly unnecessary. Pruning works often cause more harm than good and lead to problems with roots lifting footpaths and tree diseases.

I would advise the OP to just get the trees inspected if he/she considers there is a problem, rather than assuming that there is a problem. If the only problem is the power lines the ESB will take care of that. If you can't afford an arborist just inspect each tree yourself. Note down any issues such as dead branches/ cracks. Date your inspection and file it. If there is ever a case taken against you for damage caused by the trees can show that you had an inspection regime in place.
Its highly likely that the trees are just mature specimens which will outlive you and never cause a problem.

monkeynuz

Oldtree wrote: »

Ok them 3 day certified, the point being not long in training.
I have yet to see trees cut by ESb workers cut correctly, and I keep an eye out for it.
a tight schedule is not an excuse for shoddy workmas ship, and they should have put in a proper quote to allow for proper work.

Perhaps they should have put a proper quote in, but then that is how the wonderful worl do ftendering works and also the age old problem of management and accountants driving a business, highly likely that the blokes on these nationwide contracts are not the ones procong for them in the first place.

If you want a tree done properly, get a surgeon in out of your own pocket and don't complain when the minimum of work is done by someone else on a tight schedule through probably no fault of their own.

Don't forget ESB networks are not going to pay for a surgeon and team to spend a whole day in a residential road at perhaps €800+per day lot of residential and country roads in Ireland! They are going to want a lot more productivity for that sort of money.

M.

planetX

Coll1e wrote: »

There seems to be common misunderstanding that trees somehow need to be controlled.

He said 'evergreen' which probably means Leylandii. They need more than control, they need banning.
I may be biased since I'm living in the shadow caused by 30/40ft monsters, which also overhang me by about 20ft of massive branches high up. Incidentally, they have swallowed up a power line and pole in their garden - hoping that the OP is my neighbour:D

Coll1e

planetX wrote: »

He said 'evergreen' which probably means Leylandii. They need more than control, they need banning.

Missed that crucial part. I couldn't agree more. On the plus side if the OP is concerned about the cost of the tree work he could do it himself. Leylandiis are really easy to climb with saw in hand. Its impossible to fall any distance. you just start high in the tree and work down. Pay some young fella to stand on the footpath to alert passers to any falling branches and pull them into the garden.

Oldtree

Coll1e wrote: »

Missed that crucial part. I couldn't agree more. On the plus side if the OP is concerned about the cost of the tree work he could do it himself. Leylandiis are really easy to climb with saw in hand. Its impossible to fall any distance. you just start high in the tree and work down. Pay some young fella to stand on the footpath to alert passers to any falling branches and pull them into the garden.

:eek:
LLeylandii can be very dangerous to "climb with saw in hand" as can any tree. Foolish and neglegent imo to advise an amateur to climb a tree to do tree work. you can break you neck from a couple of feet easy. Young fellow could be badly hurt easy, and leave you open to a lawsuit. a twig falling from a height can penetrate the skull!

Coll1e

Oldtree wrote: »

:eek:
LLeylandii can be very dangerous to "climb with saw in hand" as can any tree. Foolish and neglegent imo to advise an amateur to climb a tree to do tree work. you can break you neck from a couple of feet easy. Young fellow could be badly hurt easy, and leave you open to a lawsuit. a twig falling from a height can penetrate the skull!

Rubbish. Lleylandii are about the simplest trees ever to climb. I let my 5 year old up towards the top of a big one near our house (albeit without a saw). The branch network is so dense its virtually impossibe to fall more than a foot or two.
Re breaking your neck from a couple of feet. Its conceivable you could break your neck by tripping over a pine cone but its not very likely. Ever been to a playground and seen the spacenets for kids to climb? You'd be shocked:eek::eek:

Your surely having a laugh with the twig comment. Right?

If the OP is really worried about the trees and doesn't want to spend a fortune then letting the ESB cut away the branches at the wires and finishing the job himself is the best way to go imho.

themoneyguy

Hi All,

Thanks for all the replies... all really helpful!
The trees are the dreaded Leylandii..... problem i heard is that you can only cut them back so far. Cut too far and they wont grow again?

From this I believe the best option is to call the ESB as trees have completely grown around poles......

Fingers crossed but will they finish the job or just butcher around the wires?

Would a small tip make a difference?.......

magicbastarder

themoneyguy wrote: »

Cut too far and they wont grow again?

what's the problem here?
currently dealing with the leylandii in the garden in the new place. slow, but satisfying.

slowburner

themoneyguy wrote: »

..... problem i heard is that you can only cut them back so far. Cut too far and they wont grow again?

If cut below a green shoot, they won't sprout from that point and that branch dies back.
Apart from their ridiculous growth rate, that is the major drawback with these plants. In essence, the green foliage masks a tangled interior of twigs and branches which die back due to lack of light.

Horrible things.