'They need a good trim' plead residents over UPS trees not cut in four years

Residents of a quiet cul-de-sac in Derby were initially delighted when global shipping giant UPS offered to plant a row of trees behind their homes. The gesture was intended to provide a noise barrier against the bustling warehouse located just beyond their back gardens.

Over the years, the conifers lining Ellesmere Avenue, Alvaston, were regularly trimmed to prevent them from blocking sunlight into the south-facing gardens. However, locals now feel "forgotten" as they say it's been four years since the last trim.

With bird nesting season due to start again in February, resident Madeline Hackett is concerned she'll have to endure another winter in darkness. The residents maintained good relations with UPS for decades after the trees were first planted, which Madeline estimates was around 30 years ago.

The last trim took place before the COVID-19 pandemic, and now Madeline is pleading for another, as the overgrown trees are negatively affecting her mental health. The residents hope that UPS will take action soon.

A spokesperson for UPS commented: "We're always working to be good neighbours in the communities where we operate and where our people live, and we are discussing this matter with the local council."

Derbyshire Live readers have been giving their views in our comments section. Geewhizz said: “I have the same problem on the Chase in Sinfin, I can't even get a tv reception with tv aerial or freesat. I can only get good sunlight for 2-3 months in the year.”

Another commenter, Ravinglunatic, suggests: “They should contact Derby City Council who deal with complaints about high hedges which includes those formed by trees and may instruct the owner to reduce their height. As far as I am aware there is a fee but if all of the residents who are complaining chip in (no pun intended) it may be worth it.”

Swad1 writes: “They just need topping and a good trim, which won't affect their C02 eating ability. The higher they grow the more dangerous they get as they are a shallow rooted tree. The landowner has a duty of care to ensure they are safe and also they are not causing a nuisance to others.”

WhingeBag agrees: “Trees need maintenance, if they are not in a wild setting then they need to be cared for. For the sake of the trees as much as anyone. It's not good for trees to be neglected when they are deliberately planted in an urban environment.”

Bobterry points out: “Like many things, the maintenance will have become more expensive, many companies now do not allow people to work off ladders or tall step ladders, even if it is not their own employees doing the work. This means the cost and time of mobile scaffolding towers. It might be cheaper in the long run for UPS if they ripped out the conifers and just installed the usual razor topped security fence. Certainly this is all looking like no good deed goes unpunished for the hedge that was installed as an act of goodwill.”

Shiftworker thinks: “I would rather back onto trees than nosey neighbours. And before you ask, we too back onto tall trees (native ones and not non-native conifers) that reduce the sunlight and limit what we can grow to woodland plants.”

Have you been affected by overgrown trees in your garden? What did you do to solve the issue? Have your say in our comments section.