Cutting down tree in garden (new build)

[greendays1]

Going to view a house next week that I am really keen on and likely to want to put an offer in. Only problem is there's a thin scrawny looking tree in the front garden on the grass, not as tall as house but quite tall, has supporting posts on it. Makes the house look unattractive and for me it would seriously make me reconsider if I couldn't get rid of it. It is a new house built around 6/7 years ago. Would I be likely to be allowed to cut this down or pay someone to do it? I will of course ask when I view it but would just like to get an idea in the mean time.

Depends if there are any covenants or planning conditions which specified the planting scheme or retention of trees. You should be able to look up the original permissions online.

I would be very surprised if there was any reason you cant remove this tree

What species of tree is it?

@xraytangocharlie how would I find that out?

Aw, I find it sad when trees are taken down because someone doesn't like it.
We have just had to remove one as the roots would be under the house if left longer.
I hated seeing it go.
What is it about the tree you don't like?

When we moved into our new house there were 2 straggly bush/ trees and both had a Tree Preservation Order on them. It was because the council wanted greenery on a new estate. Fast forward 15 years and the TPOs appear to have been lifted now that gardens have been planted and trees put in place by builders have grown. Its a planning type thing so look at your council website for details of Tree Preservation orders (ours has an online map you can check). The other thing to do would be to check your paperwork from your move to see if the builders/owners put any restrictive covenants on the property.

@hannahbandanna You ask the people who currently live there, or you look it up, either online or in a book about trees.

@xraytangocharlie as I already stated, I will ask the owners when I view I was just looking for some helpful advice in the meantime.

It doesn't look like any of the ones I have looked up online so I haven't a clue.

Oh right, I just thought you said you were going to ask if you could get rid of it.

The reason I mention it, is that it may look fantastic in the spring or summer and be covered in flowers, and it just looks a bit dull now.

You would need to consult the deeds for the property, I lived in a new build (we were 2nd owners -moved in after 18 months) Our deeds stated that we weren't allowed to cut down the trees, however the one in our garden had died, and after about 10-15 years neighbours were having to chop theirs down as they were diseased / dead. I am not sure anyone would ever really monitor it though.

I wouldn't just take the word of the vendor though, unless they have the deeds in their hands, ours contained crazy things like we couldn't keep horses, poultry or pigs - presumably then I could have kept a cow, and there is often time constrictions attached etc - they are unlikely to remember the fine detail.

(Our current house is 1960's - there is hardly anything in the deeds)

Around me, if a tree has a TPO on it, there will be an outcry if it’s removed. The local council will tell you if it has a TPO. If it’s a covenant, that’s one for a solicitor.

You can get an app that tells you what type of tree it is. You upload pictures of it. Or get a leaf and look it up on line. Sometimes developers plant trees that will grow too big. They do actually need removing before they cause damage.

before you cut it down, find out what it is. It may be a nice tree that needs a good prune and then and annual trim. It may be a tree that you can take the top off, so that it thickens up below. It may have lovely flowers on it, or be pretty.
Or it may be horrible, in which case take it down and plant a pretty shrub instead.

Meh I bought my new build house 21 years ago, with a tree with a TPO in my front garden, it's a bloody nuisance.
Taller than the house now despite the fact I pay to have 'sympathetically' pruned, it drips sap all over my car through the summer, blocks light to the front of the house - I hate it!

if you post a photo on mn in the gardening section someone will identify it for you.

Have you got the picture from the estate agents with it in?

This isn't the actual one, it's one I found on google but it's the same type but the one I am referring to is taller with more branches/more scraggly looking

sorry, I can't tell from that photo, as you need to see the leaves a bit more.

as helpargument said, some trees are a pain, any tree that has a final height taller than the house and dripping sap, has no place in a small front garden. A tree should be planted far enough away form the house. If there isn't room, then shrubs/bushes should be planted if they want green, not trees.

But nice small tree might just need some attention to make it work, there are loads of smaller trees which are fine in front gardens and can look really pretty.

It could be a birch tree from that picture and they are often planted by developers, I think they look nice in the spring/summer especially as they fill out. You could always plant some evergreen shrubs and other plants around the base of the tree so it has more interest in the autumn/winter and doesn't look as if it's just been stuck there by a developer.

Look up the Local Authority website. Search for planning applications for the relevant street name. Planning applications dated after 1995 should be held on the system.
If you can find the original plans for the estate, chances are that there may be a 'planting schedule' (or a similar document which includes the landscaping plans). A planting schedule will show what plants, trees and shrubs and were [supposed to be] planted and their locations.

Do you need permission to trim it aswell?

If it has a tpo yes.

Looks away from the booze, it will fill out when it grows.

What on Earth is wrong with it?

away from the house not booze

It's an absolute eyesore. God that's absolutely ridiculous having to get permission to trim aswell 😤 Definitely will steer clear if it's going to be so much hassle.