Tree owner responsibility?

[summerson]

I have some large (overgrown) trees in my garden which will cost me £1000 to trim down on latest quote.

I don't care about the trees particularly but my neighbour is complaining their roots are damaging her property and they are too overgrown.....

What legal responsibilities do I have to cut them? any? Can I just leave them? They are in a conservation area so I have to apply to the council even just to trim them! 🙄

Now you know the roots are causing damage, you'll potentially be liable for any additional damage if you don't put the problem right. I know what a pain it is though - also in a conservation area and overwhelmed with massive annoying trees.

You need to get a surveyor out to assess the damage. Depending on where the roots are, removing them could lead to further structural problems. I've known tree roots to be holding a property up before.

Yawn, it all sounds so expensive I am burying my head in the sand over it really! The thing is even if we trim them or get permission to cut some down the roots will still remain!!

Pollarding the tree can affect roots. You're best bet is to notify your insurers and appoint an arboriculturist to check that cutting back the tree won't cause movement.

If you're in a conservation area you need to speak to the council and clear it with them before any work is done to the trees at all. MIL's neighbour was fined thousands.

Has the neighbour said exactly what the damage is?