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.

Only if it has a tpo though and that seems unlikely. You can check deeds online for covenants etc.

Do you know whereabouts I would find the deeds? The council website doesn't tell you which trees are protected. I'm new to all this sorry! @LIZS

Land registry for deeds, or ask the estate agent. Call the council tree warden if there is no map online indicating tpo.

It is very unlikely to have a TPO.
If it doesn't, you can do what you like with it, trim it, cut it down, whatever.

it really isn't an eyesore, it is a young tree, in a couple of years it will have filled out, young trees are always a bit thin to start with.

Houses with no green around them do look very bare and stark. What you need is to find out what sort if tree it is and then google to see what it will look like when it has had a couple of years to establish.

Gardening is not instant. If you want a beautiful leafy tree to complement your house, you basically start with a small tree and let it grow! So before you take a saw to it, find out what it would be like in 2-3 years.

Don't forget that it is in winter mode too, and will look veyr different with leaves on.

this is such a sad thread.
wtf is wrong with people?
we need trees. this time of year trees do look a bit sad, but in spring it will make the area much nicer and more lively.

op if you go for this house, plant other shrubs and flowers which will make the garden and tree look better.

On my dad's agreement when he bought his new build (he was the first one in) they were told they weren't allowed to remove trees for 10 years because they were planted to help with drainage.

It sounded odd to me, but I saw it in black and white. So long as there is nothing along those lines written into the agreement (as there would still be a few years left if theirs said 10) I can't see why not.

BUT, it might look nice at other times of year. We have a cherry blossom tree that looks awful all through winter but then breaks out in beautiful bright pink blossom that everyone stops to look at!

I don't see what's so ugly about the tree, it's a young tree, that's all.

It's prettier than its environment.

You can underplant it with something, until it grows a bit.

Take it down and put something you like.
But it might be a flowering cherry, which is common in front gardens, and could look spectacular in the spring. There must be a reason they are trying to prop it up and save it.

So it's confirmed by the company who built these that there is no tpo on the tree, but it was part of the planning conditions for the site and said I would need to contact local authority to confirm removal, the guy is on holiday at the moment though and apparently has a lot of query's so won't get back to me quickly. So does this make it earlier to get rid of it or not does anyone know? Or is it just as difficult. I'm not sure what the consequences would be.

If it was part of the planning permission then I expect that you would not be allowed to remove it.

redchocolatebutton I like trees in forest and parks, I don't like trees in my garden. They block light, block the view, they drop leaves/pollen/fruit everywhere, they make it harder to mow the lawn etc

I have lots of bushes and flowers but no trees in my garden.

op as it's part of planning permission ask if you can replace the tree with shrubs.

You can apply for pp to fell if needs be.

But isn’t the view of a green tree not better that the house opposite bathroom window with neighbours bare arse thrown in for free, just one of many examples of suburban or inner city “views”?

If this was a condition of the original planning you may want to check if other things you may wish to alter or add would also need pp, such as sheds or extensions(permitted development rights may be restricted). These documents will be available on your Council website under Planning for the site address or developer.

You can apply for pp to fell if needs be.

But there is no need, OP just feels that the tree is ugly. That’s no real need.

Where I live we aren't allowed to lop, chop or fell any trees. Only prune. In the deeds in black & white. Houses 20+ years old.

However a new neighbour wrote to our local authority asking to fell a tree - they said no. He then hired a tree surgeon to 'prune' it who coincidentally 'discovered' it was diseased. Felled in there and then and wrote a letter to that effect. Some money changed hands.

It felt a shame to me as it was a lovely tree. Most people find a way around things if they want something badly enough.

I think tree surgeons must be regulated properly.

@ChardonnaysDistantCousin I agree with you. We had a similar house with a lovely tree in front, which flowered pink blossom in spring and red leaves in autumn.

Yeah, give trees a chance.

I just asked for advice on this issue. Yeah trees are great and all that jazz but a small front garden is not a place for one, why not plant is across the round on the grass? the one in the photos were similar but not the one in question, I've seen it in person and really is hideous. Buying a house is very expensive for you to not be sure about something.

We're in a new build and there are covenants on all of the trees on our new build estate due to the planning.

The tree is the prettiest thing about the house, I think.

@Bubblysqueak what are the consequences though, if it isn't a tpo what would happen if you went ahead and got rid anyway? Just need as much info as I can get at the moment