Tree guidance
Find guidance on:
Dead trees
Dead trees are one of the most biodiverse habitats found in woodland environments.
Standing dead trees, sometimes known as living monoliths, provide valuable habitats for a wide variety of species, including:
- birds
- bats
- beetles
- insects
- fungi.
Many of these species rely on dead and decaying wood for food, shelter, nesting and roosting opportunities.
As the wood gradually breaks down, nutrients are returned to the soil. This helps to support healthy plant growth and wider ecosystem health.
Dead trees in urban areas
In urban areas, habitats provided by dead trees are less common. This means it’s important to preserve them wherever it is safe and appropriate to do so.
This helps to strengthen local biodiversity and contributes to a healthier, more resilient environment.
Concerns about a dead tree
Dead trees are regularly inspected and monitored by our team to assess their condition, rate of decline and ongoing safety.
If you have any concerns about a tree on land owned by us, you can report a problem with a tree.
Interrupted TV reception
Sometimes leaves or branches on trees interrupt reception. However, there is no legal right to reception and we cannot prune trees to deal with the issue.
If you're going to do works to a tree to improve your reception you should agree this with the tree owner.
If your TV signal is interrupted by a tree:
- you may have to install an aerial above the trees by mounting it on a pole
- you may be able to overcome the issue by using a high gain aerial
- try an alternative position such as on a different chimney stack
- you may have to remove parts of the tree that obstruct the signal.
Right to light
You can get a right to light if:
- the light was uninterrupted for 20 years
- it interrupts your daily life, for example needing artificial light in the day to read
- the light is significantly reduced.