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Our ward-by-ward surveys seek to mitigate the risk of street trees causing damage to private property and infrastructure.

Tree damage is not always predictable or preventable, and when it does occur, we are not always able to remediate nor compensate for it.

Damage we may be responsible for

A tree has caused damage to your property

If you believe a street tree has caused, or may cause damage to your home or vehicle please submit an insurance claim query.

A tree has caused damage to the highway

If you believe a street tree has caused, or is causing damage to roads or pavements please report a problem or contact customer services on 020 8891 1411.

A tree has been damaged

If you believe a street tree has been damaged by a member of the public, for example, by a vehicle collision, vandalism, or illegal felling, please report a problem or contact customer services on 020 8891 1411.

Damage we are not responsible for

We will not remediate nor compensate for the following types of damage caused by street trees:

Roots accessing drains

We are unable to prevent root ingress to within adjacent gardens and do not accept responsibility nor compensate for damage caused by tree roots that have gained access to drains or services, because of those services being unfit for purpose.

Falling leaves and detritus

We cannot reasonably control nor sustainably manage street trees to prevent or compensate for damage caused by natural seasonal occurrences such as:

  • autumn leaf fall
  • spring flower petals
  • fruit fall (including conkers)
  • seed deposits
  • undigested sap or aphid droppings
  • animal nuisance, e.g. droppings from roosting birds

Shade or loss of light

We cannot remediate the growth of, nor offer compensation for damage associated with shade or loss of light caused by our trees, as this is not treated as a legal nuisance.

Damage to privately owned vegetation

We cannot remediate the growth of, nor offer compensation for street trees causing damage to privately owned vegetation.

Up to: Trees

Updated: 19 December 2022

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