To ask the vicar!?

[howmuchwoodwouldawoodchuckchuc]

...... to sort out their tree!?

Over the weekend, the High winds caused a branch to literally crack and hang down - the tree is in the graveyard, situated behind our house. Our house is lower than the graveyard and the tree hangs over us:

The branch that is hanging is around 20ft long, the branch width is around 3ft - so it's a big blighter!

I don't want it to take out the fence when it eventually drops.

The vicar says it's not the churches responsibility (?) and that hallowed ground belongs to the local council... but the council say they don't own this bit of land.

Aibu to think, the vicar is trying to get out of paying for a tree surgeon?

Photo and diagram below:

sonofabitch that's a genius idea.

howmuch get the image onto moonpig and send the vicar a nice wee card explaining your predicament

get the image onto moonpig and send the vicar a nice wee card explaining your predicament

Now, why didn't I think of that? Ace idea, Brazzle!

spent time as a professional lumberjack and don't really understand making a mountain out of a molehill

Ditto the advice to call the secretary to the diocesan advisory committee for the diocese - they are the people who administer/give permission for works to be done in churches and churchyards (including closed churchyards). Or try the archdeacon - they have delegated responsibility to give churches permission for some minor works (plus do lots of smoothing of relationships).

And yes if a 'council' has responsibility for doing the work it will be the parish council most likely not the local authority. Closed churchyards are a bit complex - if I remember correctly the parish council can have been given permission to maintain the churchyard but it is often still owned by the vicar (vicars are technically the owner of the church and churchyard for planning permission etc).

At least if the branch falls down it might killl the f-Ing baby seagul
But might take your house out.
FYI- the vicar is talking shite. Even if it isn’t their responsibility to pay, it’s theirs to sort out.
Just tell them you will sue them for any damages.

Before going to dioscesian level you need to inform the churchwardens. They really look after the fabric of the church, not the vicar, who in my experience of being a CofE regular is unlikely to know much about this.

Good point about the churchwardens if you haven't spoken to them! They are the people who do and know everything about the day to day care of the church. Their details are usually on the church website.

Oooo I love your diagram. Who maintains the graves, paths and grass around them etc? Surely the same people have responsibility for the overhead trees.

Best. Diagram. Ever.
You are my new mumsnet crush

Best diagram ever! Bravo!

FuzzyCustard I'm on a laptop and can see the diagram, so I don't think you need an app.

Just adding to the chorus of best diagram I've ever seen on MN!

The Council will only be able to confirm if they own the land. The planning department won't hold records of land ownership even if the tree has a TPO.

Go on to the land registry website and look up who owns the land, it only costs a free £.

Our churchyard is the responsibility of the local council. I think most are.

Best diagram ever...

So you live in my house ? We also have a tree 5x the size of the house and a wall holding the dead people of the graveyard out of our garden. When we got a crack on the wall the churchwarden advised we fixed it asap as "the churchyard is full".
And in our case with the tree it is the churchwarden who seems to get shit done.

Best diagram I hand ever seen on MN

Dead people. Chortle.

Don't worry OP god will provide

No idea who responsible but fab diagram!

You can apply to the Land Registry to find out who owns the land but think you have to pay a small admin fee

Blimey, there seems to be detailed ecclesiastical legislation about this sort of stuff.

From here www.churchcare.co.uk/shrinking-the-footprint/ways-to-take-action/managing-your-churchyard/trees

I got to here...
www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2015/1568/schedule/1/made

Section A8 ....

I infer it's the responsibility of the PCC and they don't need to consult about it.

Ok, really I'm just hoping for another diagram.

Nominated for classics on the strength of the diagram.

Love the diagram with the seagull and dead people included

I hope it doesn't fall as I reckon it could do some damage

Best diagram on MN.

Ever.

You win everything.

Also, is that your handwriting?

@snuffykins yes lol 😂!