How to protect a tree

[Whoknewitwasthishard]

We have very tall beautiful lime trees on our street . The neighbours are asking the council to cut them down. How can I have them protected , what action can I take please help

[Hedgesfullofbirds]

Not sure that you can do very much, quite honestly. Limes are not rare or unusual trees, by any means, and very, very unlikely to meet the strict criteria neccessary to be granted a Tree Protection Order which, in any event, is ironically put in place by...yes, local councils!

However, if your Local Authority has any gumption, it is probable that, if they feel any work is required, the trees, rather than being felled, will be pollarded - a centuries old method for keeping large trees down to a manageable size

[APurpleSquirrel]

What are the reasons your neighbors want the trees cut down?

[Whoknewitwasthishard]

Neighbours don't like the mess every autumn and the sticky nectar in spring, the wildlife in the tree is emmense
They also think the roots are causing problems but have no knowledge based evidence to back this

[AnxiousPangolin]

Contact the tree officers at your local council and ask. If they’re street trees, it may be the county council rather than the district council who is responsible for them but the tree officers will at least be able to advise if they can be TPO’d.

People often think that certain trees cannot be TPO’d because they’re too common or not oaks or whatever but that’s not the case. It depends on the amenity value of the tree and the potential threat to it among other things.

Honestly, it pisses me right off when people bitch about mess from trees and demand they be cut down.

[Shraree]

God, some people are just awful aren't they.
Definitely speak to the council about getting it protected.

[Whoknewitwasthishard]

Thankyou for your messages , we got through to the council
Who seemed supportive of the tree so here's hoping

[BlueChampagne]

Do you have a local green/nature group who can weigh in as well?

[KaiserChefs]

There might already be TPOs on the trees if they're above a certain age. That might be why they still line the street.

However, councils are totally whimsical about enforcing them if they decide they fancy cutting down some trees to make maintenance/transport easier. Around the corner from our house there used to be a beautiful tree-lined boulevard with trees over 100 years old and the bastards at the council chainsawed them all one year. 😭