Posted By Miriam Steve: I think you should phone/write to the Education Department of your Local Authority. They should then request a Tree Inspector/Surveyor from the Local Authority's Arboriculture Section to examine the trees. Get a copy of their inspection report. The trees may just need pruning. But if your Local Authority is anything like mine, they could charge out and chop them all down anyway, even though the level of risk is low. You could then find yourself being castigated by local residents for wanton destruction of the environment and wildlife habitats.

Posted By Bill Elliott Steve - Log on to www.english-nature.org.uk - they have a useful document called Veteran Trees - A Guide to risk and responsibility you may find useful. It is certainly true to say that trees may represent a risk, but the early stages of determining the degree of risk can be done by the tree "owner". Competency levels will then increase as the "treatment" (if necesary) becomes apparent. Many trees may not represent a risk if they are not adjacent to places frequented by pedestrians or traffic. You will also need to be aware of any Tree Preservation Orders or Conservation areas (from your LA)before you engage anyone to start choppng bits out or felling trees.