Just for the record you can have problems even with new planted
saplings. I live in a new built Barrats development ( OK sad). Nothing
here is more than 4 years old. However there is a "restrictive
covenant" on the land and you cannot remove any tree that appears on
the site plans. Plant it yourself and you can remove it but if it is
on the plans you need permission form the local development
corporation / council. This is not a leasehold issue. They are
perfectly reasonable about it all and will allow felling if you have a
reason , one case where a tree was dying they sent out their inspector
and he said OK and then said do you want to cut that one near the
house as it will undermine foundations in a few years.


Fair comment Neil but that may have been a planning condition as well.