Overhanging trees, seeds/leaves and roots
We often receive complaints about private trees blocking light, shading neighouring gardens or dropping leaves/fruit onto nearby gardens or roads.
We do not offer support to address privately owned trees that are causing a nuisance - this is a civil matter.
Trees overhanging gardens
If your neighbours trees are overhanging your garden, and the tree is not protected or in a conservation area (find out more), it is your common law right to cut back any branches which are overhanging and interfering with your property, as long as your actions don’t affect the health of the tree as a whole.
You must offer any branches or leaves you remove to the tree owner, and if they don't want them, it is your responsiblity to dispose of them, even if that costs to do so.
If the tree in question is protected by a TPO or in a conservation area, you will need to apply to us first:
Submit an application on our ezyPortal.
Trees overhanging a public road/highway
If you are concerned about a tree overhanging a public road/highway, please report it to Staffordshire County Council, which is the local highway authority, in the first instance or call telephone 0300 111 8000.
Sap/honeydew on cars, driveways or property
We often receive complaint about trees dropping sap onto cars or driveways.
This is because trees are homes to a variety of species including birds, squirrels and insects which may produce droppings and other mess.
Often what people think is sap is honeydew - a dilute sugar solution produced and excreted by aphids living in a tree. Honeydew can be sticky, slippery and troublesome, however can be dealt with through normal household and garden maintenance.
We do not offer support in relation to sap/honeydew. Sap/honeydew is also not recognised as a legal nuisance and is not justification for the removal or pruning of a protected tree.
If you are concerned sap/honeydew is posing an imminent danger on a pavement or public road/highway, please report it to Staffordshire County Council, which is the local highway authority or call 0300 111 8000.
Leaf or seed fall on cars, driveways or property
Trees shed petals, leaves, seeds, twigs and fruit.
Although leaf and seedfall from nearby trees can be troublesome, it can usually be dealt with through normal household and garden maintenance.
We do not offer support in relation to leaf or seed fall, unless it is causing a nuisance on council owned land/property. Leaf/seedfall is also not recognised as a legal nuisance and is not justification for the removal or pruning of a protected tree.
If you are concerned leaf or seed fall is causing an immient danger to the public road/highway, please report it to Staffordshire County Council, which is the local highway authority or call 0300 111 8000.
Tree roots damaging property
If you suspect the roots of a council owned tree are causing damage to your property, such as the foundations or private drainage, we recommend you seek the advice of a tree specialist before contacting us to ask us to consider consenting its removal.
Submit an application on our ezyPortal.
Tree roots causing damage to the highway/pavements
If tree roots are causing damage to highways/pavements and posing a trip hazard, please report it to Staffordshire County Council, which is the local highway authority, in the first instance or call telephone 0300 111 8000.