A neighbour has told of his frustration after a five-year battle with the city council over 'massive' trees that he says are in desperate need of pruning. Abdul Jabbar, a retired resident in Wollaton Road, Wollaton, says he has considered leaving the area altogether after 25 years because of the two large ash trees near his home.
Located on a public pathway and next to a bus stop on public land, Mr Jabbar claims the trees in question are more than 50 metres high. He said they are "dangerous", adding that branches have fallen on the pathway before.
Mr Jabbar said the trees present a particular problem during storms. But having reported the issue to the city council - the authority which is responsible for the trees - he says nothing has been done.
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City council officials said the trees were in a conservation area - which are typically areas of historic interest and subject to special planning controls - and have Tree Preservation Orders on them. Such an order is made by a local planning authority to protect specific trees, or groups of trees, in the interests of amenity.
However, bosses at the council said early symptoms of ash dieback disease had been found following recent inspections of the trees, meaning the trees could potentially be removed in the future.
Ash dieback is caused by a vascular wilt fungus. This is a fungus that affects the water transport system of trees, which is just beneath the bark. On the problems presented by the trees, Mr Jabbar, 60, said: "We have issues during storms. Luckily no cars have been damaged yet. I have been having a long fight with the city council. They need to prune the trees.
"It is dangerous. Some of the branches are big - they will cause damage if they fall off. The city council are not taking responsibility."
Mr Jabbar explained the situation had led him to consider relocating to the outskirts of the city. "We are looking to move elsewhere," he added.
"They are massive - I think they are at least 50 metres high. If they are not going to prune the trees, we are going to have to move."
A City Council spokesperson said: “These trees are in a conservation area and have Tree Preservation Orders on them. However, recent inspections of these ash trees have noted early symptoms of ash dieback disease and we are continuing with further inspections which may lead to their future removal.”
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