Trees, forests and hedges - some frequently asked questions

Author: Angus Evans, Anna Brand, Alan Rehfisch, Sarah Harvie-Clark

PDF Published: Thursday 05 Oct 2023 (SB 23-38)

Expand
Overview
Report

Hide

Hide

Overview
Report
- Summary
- Trees, hedges and forestry
- Ownership of land and boundaries to property
- What steps can be taken to resolve tree disputes? Informal and formal steps
- What areas of law are of importance in resolving disputes?
- What powers do local authorities have?
  - Trees which are dangerous to public roads/footpaths - Roads (Scotland) Act 1984
  - High Hedges (Scotland) Act 2013
  - Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 - amenity notices
  - Statutory nuisance
- What are tree preservation orders (TPOs)?
- What are the rules in conservation areas?
- What are the rules on planning and trees?
- What civil law remedies exist?
  - Encroachment - tree roots and branches
  - Common law of nuisance
  - Title deeds and title conditions
  - Dangerous trees - duty of care
  - Trees blocking light
- What are the rules on planting and felling trees?
  - Who is responsible for forestry?
  - Is planning permission required for forestry work?
  - Planting trees
    
    Environmental Impact Assessment
    
    Grant funding
  - Felling trees
    
    Getting permission to fell trees
    
    Being required to fell a tree
  - Finding information
- What are the rules on trees and wildlife?
- What other sources of information exist?
- Annexe
Sources

Image: Tree disputes - possible steps to follow

The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe. (2022). Carbon Sinks and Sequestration. Retrieved from https://unece.org/forests/carbon-sinks-and-sequestration [accessed 14 December 2022]

Stair's Laws of Scotland (Stair Memorial Encyclopaedia) - Property - Part I: General law (Volume 18), para 198. (2023). (n.p.): LexisNexis.

Stair's Laws of Scotland (Stair Memorial Encyclopaedia) - Property - Part I: General law (Volume 18), para. 179. (2023). (n.p.): LexisNexis.

Brodies. (2019, January 15). Problematic trees and shrubs: what can I do if the High Hedges (Scotland) Act 2013 doesn't apply to my situation?. Retrieved from https://brodies.com/insights/land-agriculture-and-rural-business/problematic-trees-and-shrubs-what-can-i-do-if-the-high-hedges-scotland-act/ [accessed 8 September 2023]

Stair's Laws of Scotland (Stair Memorial Encyclopaedia) - Property - Part I: General law (Volume 18), para. 179. (2023). (n.p.): LexisNexis.

Scottish Government. (2019, January 31). High Hedges (Scotland) Act 2013: revised guidance 2019. Retrieved from https://www.gov.scot/publications/high-hedges-scotland-act-2013-revised-guidance-local-authorities-2019/pages/1/ [accessed 19 January 2023]

Sutherland, N. (2022, September 30). Powers and protections for trees and hedges in the community, page 7 . Retrieved from https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-8844/ [accessed 19 January 2023]

Inverclyde Council . (2021, September 15). Dangerous Trees - who is responsible for a dangerous tree?. Retrieved from https://www.inverclyde.gov.uk/environment/grounds-services/grounds-maintenance/dangerous-trees [accessed 19 January 2023]

High Hedges (Scotland) Act 2013, section 2 . (2013). (n.p.): (n.p.).

Scottish Government. (2019, November 11). Applying for a high hedge notice. Retrieved from https://www.mygov.scot/apply-high-hedge [accessed 19 January 2023]

Citizens Advice Scotland. (2023). If a neighbour's hedge or trees are blocking light in your home. Retrieved from https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/scotland/housing/problems-where-you-live-s/if-a-neighbours-hedge-or-trees-are-blocking-light-in-your-home-s/ [accessed 24 January 2022]

Argyll and Bute Council. (2009, May 22). AMENITY NOTICE - REFERENCE NUMBER: 09/00222/ENOTH1. Retrieved from https://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/sites/default/files/planning-and-environment/enforceargyllhoteloban%20%28Argyll%20Hotel%2C%20Corran%20Esplanade%2C%20Oban%29.pdf [accessed 24 January 2023]

West Dunbartonshire Council. (2021, March 23). AMENITY NOTICE REQUIRING PROPER MAINTENANCE OF LAND. Retrieved from https://www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/media/4319910/amenity-notice_sh.pdf [accessed 24 January 2023]

Glasgow City Council . (2022). GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL PLANNING ENFORCEMENT CHARTER 2022. Retrieved from https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=14639&p=0 [accessed 24 January 2023]

Scottish Government. (2009, January 26). Nuisance provisions of the Public Health etc (Scotland) Act 2008: guidance. Retrieved from www.gov.scot/publications/guidance-accompany-statutory-nuisance-provisions-public-health-etc-scotland-act/pages/5/ [accessed 19 April 2023]

City of Edinburgh Council . (2022, January). Protected trees in Edinburgh: a guidance note. Retrieved from https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/downloads/file/30063/protected-trees-in-edinburgh-a-guidance-note [accessed 24 January 2023]

Historic Environment Scotland. (2023). Living in a conservation area. Retrieved from https://www.historicenvironment.scot/advice-and-support/your-property/owning-a-traditional-property/living-in-a-conservation-area/ [accessed 20 January 2023]

Scottish Government. (2023, February 13). National Planning Framework 4. Retrieved from https://www.gov.scot/publications/national-planning-framework-4/documents/ [accessed 8 March 2023]

Perth and Kinross Council. (2023). Trees and the law. Retrieved from https://www.pkc.gov.uk/article/15281/Trees-and-the-law [accessed 24 August 2023]

Law Society of Scotland. (2023). Find a Solicitor. Retrieved from https://www.lawscot.org.uk/find-a-solicitor/ [accessed 11 January 2023]

Bremner, A. (2021, August 19). Legal aid - how it works. Retrieved from https://digitalpublications.parliament.scot/ResearchBriefings/Report/2021/8/19/d60c5da7-11e1-49d1-b8df-aa0bb65cf9e5 [accessed 11 January 2023]

Stair's Laws of Scotland (Stair Memorial Encyclopaedia) - Property - Part I: General law (Volume 18), para. 175 . (2023). (n.p.): LexisNexis.

Stair's Laws of Scotland (Stair Memorial Encyclopaedia) - Property - Part I: General law (Volume 18), para. 179. (2023). (n.p.): LexisNexis.

Stair's Laws of Scotland (Stair Memorial Encyclopaedia). (2023). Nuisance (Reissue), para. 39. (n.p.): LexisNexis.

Stair's Laws of Scotland (Stair Memorial Encyclopaedia), NUISANCE (Reissue), para. 67. (2023). (n.p.): LexiNexis.

Craig, G. (2020, January 13). Nuisance: when should you worry?. Retrieved from https://www.lawscot.org.uk/members/journal/issues/vol-65-issue-01/nuisance-when-should-you-worry/ [accessed 18 January 2023]

Kennedys. (2021, August 13). kennedyslaw.com/pt/thought-leadership/case-review/actionable-nuisance-in-scotland-how-bad-does-a-smell-need-to-be/. Retrieved from kennedyslaw.com/pt/thought-leadership/case-review/actionable-nuisance-in-scotland-how-bad-does-a-smell-need-to-be/

Scottish Law Commission. (2019). Section 53 of the Title Conditions (Scotland) Act 2003. Retrieved from https://www.scotlawcom.gov.uk/law-reform/law-reform-projects/completed-projects/section-53-of-the-title-conditions-scotland-act-2003/#:~:text=Section%2053%20gives%20implied%20rights,common%20scheme%E2%80%9D%20of%20real%20burdens. [accessed 16 January 2023]

TC Young solicitors. (2021, November 24). Occupiers Liability - what level of care is required?. Retrieved from https://www.tcyoung.co.uk/our-blog/occupiers-liability-level-of-care [accessed 16 January 2023]

National Tree Safety Group. (2023). Guidance & Publications. Retrieved from https://ntsgroup.org.uk/guidance-publications/ [accessed 16 January 2023]

Scottish National Heritage. (2018). Brief guide to occupiers legal liabilities in Scotland in relation to public outdoor access. Retrieved from www.outdooraccess-scotland.scot/doc/brief-guide-occupiers-legal-liabilities-scotland-relation-public-outdoor-access [accessed 16 January 2023]

Brodies. (2022, April 28). NEW GUIDANCE ON 'RIGHT TO LIGHT' ACTIONS. Retrieved from https://brodies.com/insights/real-estate/new-guidance-on-right-to-light-actions/#:~:text=On%2018%20April%202022%2C%20the,right%20to%20light%20in%20Scotland. [accessed 24 August 2023]

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). (2022). Right to light - A clear, impartial guide. Retrieved from https://www.ricsfirms.com/media/1296/right-to-light-consumer-guide-2022.pdf

Law Commission. (2014, December 4). Rights to Light. Retrieved from https://www.lawcom.gov.uk/project/rights-to-light/ [accessed 24 January 2023]

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). (2022). Right to light - A clear, impartial guide. Retrieved from https://www.ricsfirms.com/media/1296/right-to-light-consumer-guide-2022.pdf

Perth & Kinross Council . (2020, January 21). Trees and the law. Retrieved from https://www.pkc.gov.uk/article/15281/Trees-and-the-law [accessed 10 January 2023]

East Lothian Council. (2023). Trees and the law. Retrieved from https://www.eastlothian.gov.uk/downloads/file/26944/trees_and_the_law_leaflet [accessed 10 January 2023]

Citizens Advice Scotland. (2023). Boundary and garden disputes. Retrieved from https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/scotland/housing/problems-where-you-live-s/neighbour-disputes/neighbour-disputes/boundary-and-garden-disputes/#:~:text=If%20your%20neighbour's%20tree%20is,it%20with%20your%20neighbour%20first. [accessed 10 January 2023]

Last Updated: 14/5 3:37am

Image: Tree disputes - possible steps to follow

An error occured while loading, please try again in a few minutes.