Problem with tree roots

bokkie

We recently bought a property then upon taking possession, found that we cannot get a car into the driveway due to a big gum tree growing under the concrete/brick driveway. So it's parking on the street for us at the moment - lots of fun with me on crutches at the moment after an injury. We would love to lower the driveway but cannot without destabilising the tree as we would have to cut into the roots. All our furniture has had to be carried down the steep drive which is very dangerous in the wet conditions. The council immediately said no removal, then changed their minds and said they would consider with an engineer's report, which we have provided them with. It is now going on 5 months since we lodged the initial application. Just looking for advice from anyone - what is the likelihood of a favourable outcome? Has anyone else been through this with a council before?

The neighbours are all for us removing it as it drops branches on their houses, causing damage and they were driven mad with the noise of scraping cars down the driveway from the previous tenants.

Thanks in advance!

Brent Ferris

NOt familiar with your council problems, but from what others have written the outcome is typically a flip of the coin, and no way to predict it, nor the time to come to a decision.

Here in Toronto, if the tree poses a public liability problem, permission to remove is usually a certainty. After all, if they refuse, it is in writing, and if branches or stems fall and injure passerbys, they are the ones responsible for disallowing the removal and the lack of concern for public safety. And the courts generally take a dim view of any organization deliberately putting the public at risk.

Without a pic, it is difficult to discern if another solution might be available.

Any chance you could post pics of tree, and your access, with a scale to show distances?

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Eric Frei

Pictures would be good.

Also make an appointment with your local councillor, it's what their job is talking to public helping iron out problems like slow bureaucracy.

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derwoodii

Pictures would really help

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