Damage

If a tree, its roots or branches are suspected to be causing damage to private property walls, footpaths or buildings, please complete the Tree Enquiry Form.

The owner of the affected property should contact the Contact Centre on 0191 427 7000 and ask to speak to the Insurance Team. You will need to provide evidence at your own costs to demonstrate actual damage.

Removing a branch or root

It may be reasonable under your common law right to remove a nuisance branch or root that has encroached Extreme caution should be given as it may lead to instability / unbalancing of the tree.  

Please be aware that liabilities could be held against you if you unbalance or cause permanent damage to the health of our tree(s) and you may be held liable if any failure or damage occurs / causes third parties accident.

Tree work is high specialised work, as tree owners we would not allow private residents to work on our trees on public land. Please contact us in the first instance.

If a Tree is a particularly valuable asset, we may pay for repairs to proven damaged structure and try and retain the tree. If a repair is impossible without removing the tree we will make a judgement and the tree may be removed.

An appropriate replacement tree will usually be planted in a nearby location during the next planting season to upkeep the boroughs tree canopy.

Under common law you are allowed to remove a nuisance root or branch that comes onto your land, but as tree owners we would require you to let us know about it.

Subsidence

Evidence will be required for claims involving subsidence. This includes soil analysis, level and crack width monitoring and engineers' reports.

We will investigate the validity of each individual claim and will report the findings to our insurers.

If the tree has a Tree Preservation Order relating to any felling, pruning or root removal, this must be applied and consent given before works commence.

We will not remove trees due to blockages in gutters or roots penetrating drains.

Roots will not enter well-constructed and maintained drains. They tend to search for a water source and will enter damaged or collapsed drains.

It is the responsibility of the property owner to make sure their drains are maintained.

If the damaged or vandalised tree is located on a street or in a public space then please call our Contact Centre on 0191 427 7000, email us at customerhelp@southtyneside.gov.uk, or report it online.

Trees in the borough are our green legacy for current and for future generations, if you spot anti-social behaviour or criminal damage against our trees please report it as a crime online at Northumbria Police: Report Crime or by calling 101.

Further information may be required so please provide information such as:

• photographs
• street numbers
• post code
• location
• size and species of the tree (if known)

We will then deal with your enquiry on a risk-by-risk basis as quickly as possible. Please leave an email address in case we need to contact you.