Wolverhampton tenant asking for help with oak trees towering over his house

A Wolverhampton council tenant has called for more action over the damage being done to his home by two oak trees.

Stuart can just be seen standing on his drive as the huge tree overshadows his house

Stuart Ingram has lived in his home in Low Hill in Wolverhampton for more than 20 years with his wife Tracey and children Kayleigh and Kieran.

He says that the oak trees on his property have caused damage to his home and to the four cars at the property, with falling branches and animal droppings among the damage being caused.

Mr Ingram described some of the damage and detritus being left at the property.

He said: "It's all over the ground and on the house and the cars and we feel like missiles are dropping on the ground all day, with branches and other things falling out of the trees.

"All of the cars are continuously covered in bird droppings and we're paying out the equivalent of £80 a week to get them cleaned.

"I'm also sweeping and de-weeding around the drive every few days, which we pay for from the council, and we are also paying £35 for a bin to put the clutter into."

Stuart Ingram is dwarfed by the huge tree at the front of his property, which is one of the trees he says is causing damage

Mr Ingram said he had asked Wolverhampton Council for help over the years and said they had only come to see the trees four times in 20 years.

He said he had asked for help from former MP Emma Reynolds during her time in office and described his communications with the council.

He said: "I've rung the council up and they've told me they will get back to me on this.

"When they've eventually come around, they've cut a few branches down, but nothing close to what's been causing me problems.

Stuart Ingram is fed up with the constant bird muck on his cars and says he wants the council to help properly with the trees

"It's the branches they haven't touched which are causing me the problems and I don't feel the council are doing enough to help me.

"I feel the council could help me by cutting the branches right down which are breaking the fence and damaging our cars, with a good 20 metres being needed to cut back.

"If that can't be done, I don't see anyway forward as I want to buy the property, but I can't do that while this is all happening."

Darren Baggs, assistant director for housing at Wolverhampton Homes said: “After concerns were raised about the tree, in July 2019 we carried out pruning works and cut it back from the property by approximately three metres to prevent damage to the property. Our inspection identified that the tree was not dead, diseased or dangerous, and as such no further work was undertaken. Having been made aware of Mr Ingram’s more recent concerns, we carried out a further inspection this morning and do not feel it warrants additional work at this time.

“We only carry out works to healthy trees where they pose a safety risk to people or property. Maintaining and protecting trees supports the city’s aspirations to become a green city and tackle climate change, as set out in the council’s Climate Emergency Declaration in July 2019, and its Tree and Woodland Strategy 2020.

“We are responsible for trees within our areas of management and we have a proactive tree management plan covering the city. Trees within the private gardens of Wolverhampton Homes managed properties are the responsibility of the tenants; however, we will support and advise tenants who wish for works to be undertaken within their gardens.”