Summer Branch Drop: When apparently healthy trees suddenly shed large limbs
Photographs credited to George Critchley. Oak tree in Lancashire. There are few sights more alarming than a large limb suddenly torn from a mature tree on a calm summer’s day. The photographs shared by George Critchley show a mature oak in Lancashire after a substantial branch failure. The scale of the wound, the torn timber […]
Who Gets the Money First?
RSA v Textainer and subrogated recoveries in a Tree Law context When an insurer has paid out on a claim and there is a chance of recovering money from a third party, everyone’s attention quite naturally turns to the same practical question: If money is recovered, who gets it first — the insurer or the […]
My neighbour had our ash tree cut down without permission
Based on Sarah Dodd’s expert comment for The Sunday Times Home Help column. Tree disputes between neighbours often start with something small: overhanging branches, roots lifting paving, leaves in gutters, or a gate that no longer opens properly. But sometimes the dispute escalates. A neighbour may arrange for works to be carried out to a […]
Is Avoiding Tree Surveys a False Economy for Housing Associations?
In summary: Housing associations sometimes avoid undertaking tree surveys out of concern that they will uncover unaffordable works. While understandable, this approach increases rather than reduces risk. Trees exist across the estate whether they are formally recognised or not, and the legal expectation is not perfection but a reasonable system for understanding and managing that […]
From Karate Mats to Courtrooms: Phillip’s Solicitor Story
We’re pleased to welcome Phillip Nicholl to the Tree Law team. His route to qualifying as a solicitor hasn’t followed the traditional path, and he shares a behind-the-scenes look at his journey below. From Karate Mats to Courtrooms: My Decade‑Long Journey to Becoming a Solicitor When people talk about becoming a solicitor, they often […]
Helen Wilson on Her Career in the Judiciary
At Tree Law, we are proud to work alongside professionals who bring both legal expertise and real-world perspective to their roles. Helen Wilson, Managing Partner at Tree Law Ltd and Deputy District Judge (Wales Circuit), shares her journey into the judiciary, the realities of the role, and her advice for those considering a similar path. […]
Cost Risk in Environmental Claims is Not What You Think
The Aarhus Convention and what it really means for environmental challenges in the UK Where people, trees and property meet, the law is rarely just about black letter rules. It is about access, balance and fairness. The Aarhus Convention sits right in that space, and yet it is often misunderstood in practice. At its […]
Three Years of Climate Action with Ecologi
At Tree Law, trees sit at the heart of everything we do. Every day we work on cases involving tree protection, subsidence, development pressures and environmental responsibility. It therefore felt important that, as a business, we also take practical steps to reduce and offset our own environmental impact. Three years ago we began using Ecologi […]
Talking to Customers About Tree Risk: Providing Clarity Without Over-Promising
Customers are increasingly proactive about property risk — particularly when trees are involved. Arborist reports, surveys, and recommendations for removal often prompt policyholders to seek reassurance about future insurance cover. These conversations can be delicate. Customers want certainty; insurers must avoid giving it prematurely. The Core Challenge When no damage has occurred, customers often ask […]
Trees Near Your Home: What Insurance Can (and Can’t) Tell You in Advance
Trees can enhance a property, but when they’re planted too close to a building — or concerns arise about their condition — they can quickly become a source of anxiety. One of the first questions homeowners often ask is whether their insurance will respond if something goes wrong. The answer, however, is rarely a simple […]
