Report tree problems and emergencies

• pavements 
• roadside verges 
• public parks 
• trees on housing estates managed by us 
• nature reserves 
• other green spaces we maintain

• private gardens
• private roads
• red routes – report issues with trees on red routes to Transport for London

Work we do: 

• removing dead, dying or dangerous trees or branches 
• pruning low branches to create clear walkways for pedestrians 
• cutting branches that are touching or very close to properties 
• pruning branches that are blocking road signs, streetlights or CCTV 

Work we can't do: 

• branches touching telephone lines 
• problems with TV reception or solar panels 
• trees blocking natural light 
• honeydew or debris falling onto cars or a property 
• bird droppings 
• pollen and allergens 
• remove healthy trees for crossovers 

If you see fungus (can look like large mushrooms) growing on the tree, particularly at the bottom, please report this to us. 

• for problems with tree roots damaging public footpaths, reports will need to be sent to the highways team
• if the footpath is within a Lewisham Housing estate report it on the resident portal
• for problems with leaf litter report it to our street cleansing team

Other than public highways and footpaths, the council do not remove leaf litter from private property, wherever it falls, it becomes the responsibility of the landowner to clear it.  

All reporting of problems with trees can be carried out through the Love Clean Streets website or app, available to download from Apple or Google Play.

• you can use the Love Clean Street website or app to report a problem with a tree. If you have indicated there is an emergency, we will inspect the tree as soon as possible 
• if there is no immediate risk, we will inspect the tree within 28 days and if work is necessary, you will be informed of a time frame, that we aim to complete the work within
• we may contact you directly via email or telephone if we require further information to carry out an inspection 
• for residents who reported a tree on our previous system, you will need your reference number, which was in your email confirmation message. Check the status of these reports
• you will be able to check live updates through Love Clean Streets 
• if a risk is identified and work is required, a priority level will be provided. More information on our priority levels can be found within our tree risk management policy

• use Love Clean Streets to report the issue to the Trees Service 
• if there's genuine concern that a property is being damaged by Council-owned trees, the property insurer should be the first point of contact 
• the burden of proof for demonstrating damage lies with the claimant 
• insurance providers will arrange for a professional investigation to gather evidence and to find out what is causing the structural issues
• if they find that a tree is causing the issues, they will give you a report confirming this

Please send this report to: 

Insurance and Risk department 
Third Floor 
Laurence House 
Catford SE6 4RU 

Or email: insurance@lewisham.gov.uk

First of all, try to resolve the issue between you and your neighbour. 

If you cannot resolve the issue by speaking to the homeowner, you can seek legal advice. In some cases we do have powers to deal with disputes between neighbours about high hedges, find out more about high hedge complaints on the government website. We cannot get involved unless the tree is subject to a tree preservation order, or is in a conservation area.

Download the high hedge complaint form and return to planning@lewisham.gov.uk (please be aware there is a fee to submit this form).