Can mature ash trees be pruned/thinned?

I have a large ash tree in my property boundary (it's a hedgerow and there's a field on the other side).

The diameter of the trunk is about three feet in diameter at the very base, but about three feet from the ground that soon reduces to about two feet.

It doesn't have ash dieback but the tree isn't that far from my property and if it was to blow over in a strong wind from that direction the upper branches would certainly cause some damage to my roof.

To minimise the potential of it blowing over I was thinking of getting it carefully pruned/thinned out. Is this practical for a mature ash tree?

Also, bearing in mind I would only be pruning it, would I need to ask the owner of the shared boundary for his permission? He's a farmer I vaguely know and I'm sure he wouldn't care, but I don't know what the rules are.

 

Yes you can prune/thin an Ash of that size. Check it doesn't have a Preservation Order on it and that you aren't restricted by a Conservation Area. You can always get a qualified Tree Surgeon who could advise on the best approach to reduce height and canopy.
As for it being on a shared boundary, it's always politic to discuss with your neighbour and make sure they are in agreement before you begin any work on it.

 

If it is within a hedgerow along an agricultural property then doubtlessly it is within the field and not within your curtilidge as hedges were/are planted on the agricultural land. Is/was there a ditch alongside the hedgerow; it is the convention that ditches are within the parcel. But it may be that the estate has been seperated as parcels have been sold on for development and maintenance ceased. You do not automatically enjoy 'sharing' such a boundary feature. Your deeds should show dimensions of your plot tied to enduring features, either figuratively or by markers. Do not rely on lines on drawings as they are apt to grow in thickness over time due to copying.You should refer to the conveyance papers of your purchase and seek guidance from the legal agent that produced them.
Farmers are ,in my experience, wary of encrochment along boundaries and will be less than keen on your intentions.
In some cases your future aspect may be impaired by random bale stacks or parked trailers etc.....
Unless you can prove your ownership of the tree ,you are not permitted to touch it.
It may be appropriate to establish the insurance cover available in respect of a falling tree ahead of that event.

 

young ash can be coppiced even, tough cookie

 

It's definitely along the hedge line on a slightly raised, small 'embankment' (a thin strip raised by a foot or two).

There are no ditches.

The field is used to grow crops (grass and maize).

The maps I have show the boundary line as running through where the tree is.

I honestly don't think that the farmer will care one bit, plus if the tree is pruned or thinned it will also reduce the chances of it falling onto his field and potentially blocking a very rarely used public footpath that runs through the field.

I'm in Wales if that helps or hinder my case.

 

How do I check if it has a preservation order on it?

 

The simplest way is to contact your local council as they should have a record of any TPO if in existence.
It's possible that Wales may have different rules and regulations to those in England but even so, your local authority should be able to clarify.
I'd be a tad wary of relying on insurance cover for fallen trees due to wind/storms as some companies wriggle out if the recorded winds don't match their criteria.
As already said, I would advise speaking to your farmer neighbour beforehand and perhaps getting any verbal agreement in writing. Hopefully, there won't be a problem but always best to have written evidence.

 

Check with your local council to whom you pay the Community charge.

 

Thanks all for the help and advice.

 

If the tree is on the farmer's side of the boundary he or she would be responsible for any damage caused by it falling, which you might wan't to point out to him when asking for permission. A farmer that doesn't care one bit is a rare bird indeed.

 

Interesting, thanks. But if it's on the boundary line itself and it falls and causes damage who is then responsible?

 

Hi

you don’t want to get into a boundary dispute.. and having to get experts to decide in that you will have to pay for the cost will soon add up .

Do you know who own the field ask them can you coppice down and you will pay . I used to deal with these questions all the time in work . Cooperation is the ideal solution. I had cases of people complaining of branches in the road and blame the council for not cleaning up and damaging cars but 90% the time it wasn’t the council fault as the tree/ branch came from land not belonging to the Council . Yes the council have to keep the carriageway clear but where it came from they will be told to pay .
All trees are important but we do have a lot of ash trees, they do coppice really well .

Ps any chance of a photo .. plus I lived and worked in wales
Spruce

 

I'd suggest you first try and ascertain the exact boundary line and whether the boundary is yours or the neighbour's or whether it is a "shared" boundary.
Not the easiest of tasks, particularly with older properties , but if neither you nor your neighbour can definitey prove one way or another then it is perhaps the best idea to treat the boundary and therefore also the tree as being a shared responsibility and any pruning/damage costs to be equally shared.