a fallen tree on public ground is not a free for all

[mazlou3]

Last night a large tree fell down in the park over the road from me.

Dh has grabbed aload of branches and dragged them into the garage. I was pretty annoyed apart from anything its taking up all the space. He promised to saw them up and store them properly, so I just left it at that. Now his mate has turned up with a chainsaw and they are cutting the big bits in the park and planning to take as much as they can.pretty sure the land belongs to the council, but no one there to speak to.

Should I carry on trying to stop him? Need help asap

How can I look up who the land belongs to ?

It doesn't sound like there's much point in finding out who owns the land- the tree will be chopped up before you find out who it belonged to!

On the very very off chance it's owner wanted it whole, it's a bit late now anyway so telling them it was you might cause a problem.

I think it's one of those things that tends to be covered by a hotch potch of local by-laws and varies from place to place. Eg there's an place near us that's actually a 'fuel allotment' and local people have a right to collect firewood but there's also an SSI area where taking firewood is forbidden.

(Not terribly helpful am I?!)

Well the thing is he's not being discreet with this, all the neighbors know he's taking it. If there is a problem we will have someone knocking on our door.

I'd just brazen it out if someone comes knocking- in fact I'd make DH brazen it out!

I honestly think you're worrying about nothing, not least because the damage is already done now.

You could say you thought you were doing whoever owns the tree a favour by removing the obstruction.

Are you kidding? A tree falls over round here it's chopped up and in the back of someone's Landy before it even hits the ground.

Seriously, OP, it's fine. Do you know what 'the Council' will do with it? Either a) ignore it in the hope that someone like your DH will come & take it away and save them the hassle and expense, or b) drag it away and burn it.

Relax. And congratulations on your free wood.

1. How much will it cost for the council to remove?
2. What would the council do with it? Are they likely to sell it on? (And if so is there likely to be a profit in it for them?)
3. Who is going to report your husband for doing a public service free of charge?
4. Even if you are reported do you really think charges or a fine are likely to be pressed?

How can I look up who the land belongs to ?

Why would you do that? You'd rather your council tax money would be used to hire labourers to take it away and shred it for use as a mulch?

I'd be there like a shot; says she with a shed full of free firewood.

They've collected hundreds of pounds worth of wood already!

Hundreds of pounds? It may have saved you that much in purchased wood but the tree is most likely worthless - tree surgeons often give logs away.

Gosh, don't worry about it.

Just tell them to leave it tidy.

What did the tree surgeon say pantone don't leave me hanging!!

Look at estover rights

A friend of mine lives near one council owned woodland where they're always chopping down trees, council workers that is. They bring the chopped logs to my friends house as they know she has a log burner.

It's actually windfall and it's perfectly legal if it's on common ground great if you need the wood